FEAD: Figma-Enhanced App Design Framework for Improving UI/UX in Educational App Development

TL;DR

This paper introduces the FEAD framework that integrates Figma's advanced UI/UX design tools into MIT App Inventor, enabling educational app developers to create more appealing and user-friendly applications.

Contribution

The FEAD method is a novel structured framework that combines Figma with MIT App Inventor to improve UI/UX design in educational app development.

Findings

61.2% participants viewed FEAD designs as professional-quality

FEAD significantly improves UI/UX in educational apps

Bridges design and development platforms for better app creation

Abstract

Designing user-centric mobile applications is increasingly essential in educational technology. However, platforms like MIT App Inventor-one of the world's largest educational app development tools-face inherent limitations in supporting modern UI/UX design. This study introduces the Figma-Enhanced App Design (FEAD) Method, a structured framework that integrates Figma's advanced design tools into MIT App Inventor using an identify-design-implement workflow. Leveraging principles such as the 8-point grid system and Gestalt laws of perception, the FEAD Method empowers users to address design gaps, creating visually appealing, functional, and accessible applications. A comparative evaluation revealed that 61.2% of participants perceived FEAD-enhanced designs as on par with professional apps, compared to just 8.2% for baseline designs. These findings highlight the potential of bridging design with development platforms to enhance app creation, offering a scalable framework for students to master both functional and aesthetic design principles and excel in shaping the future of user-centric technology.