Machine Learning-Based Prototyping of Graphical User Interfaces for Mobile Apps

TL;DR

This paper introduces ReDraw, an automated system that uses computer vision, neural networks, and data-driven algorithms to rapidly prototype mobile app GUIs from mock-ups, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy.

Contribution

ReDraw is the first integrated system combining detection, classification, and assembly for GUI prototyping, achieving high accuracy and practical utility for Android app development.

Findings

GUI component classification accuracy of 91%

Prototypes closely match mock-ups visually

Potential to streamline mobile app development workflows

Abstract

It is common practice for developers of user-facing software to transform a mock-up of a graphical user interface (GUI) into code. This process takes place both at an application's inception and in an evolutionary context as GUI changes keep pace with evolving features. Unfortunately, this practice is challenging and time-consuming. In this paper, we present an approach that automates this process by enabling accurate prototyping of GUIs via three tasks: detection, classification, and assembly. First, logical components of a GUI are detected from a mock-up artifact using either computer vision techniques or mock-up metadata. Then, software repository mining, automated dynamic analysis, and deep convolutional neural networks are utilized to accurately classify GUI-components into domain-specific types (e.g., toggle-button). Finally, a data-driven, K-nearest-neighbors algorithm generates a suitable hierarchical GUI structure from which a prototype application can be automatically assembled. We implemented this approach for Android in a system called ReDraw. Our evaluation illustrates that ReDraw achieves an average GUI-component classification accuracy of 91% and assembles prototype applications that closely mirror target mock-ups in terms of visual affinity while exhibiting reasonable code structure. Interviews with industrial practitioners illustrate ReDraw's potential to improve real development workflows.