Our team was tasked with refreshing the UI for our iOS calling experience that had remained visually unchanged since 2013. The existing interface looked outdated, lacked alignment with Apple’s latest Human Interface Guidelines, and users had difficulty navigating key features like call history and in-call options.
The code for the calling experience was in urgent need of a re-write to enhance stability. I was tasked with quickly updating the user experience and interface while the re-write was underway. My goal as the lead product designer was to modernize the interface without disrupting user familiarity, improve usability across common tasks, and ensure compliance with accessibility and iOS design standards — all while aligning with tight development timelines.
I started with a heuristic evaluation and conducted short usability tests with existing users to identify pain points. We learned that while the visual design felt old, users relied heavily on muscle memory for tasks like redialing or muting during a call. Based on these insights, I proposed a minimal, modular UI update using updated icons, dynamic type, improved add placement, larger accessibility target areas, improved in-call action thumb ergonomics, and subtle micro animations to create a more polished experience. To keep user trust, I focused the refresh on visual clarity, improving contrast, spacing, and legibility, while preserving the familiar navigation. I also collaborated closely with engineers to ensure components were reusable, responsive and performance-efficient.
The updated design was well-received by both internal stakeholders and users during post-launch feedback sessions. Users appreciated the modern look, while retention and ad impression metrics confirmed that the redesign did not disrupt usage patterns. The refreshed UI also laid a strong visual and structural foundation that made future feature development more consistent across the product. It helped elevate the overall perception of the app,
Role: Product Designer
Deliverables: User interface, user experience, micro interactions and iconography.
Team Credit: Adrian Kenny (Design contribution) and Will Braynen (Lead Engineer)
