Creating An Engaging Mode Selection Screen For First App Launch

Hey guys! Let's dive into creating an awesome first-time user experience for your app by designing an engaging mode selection screen. This screen will pop up the very first time someone launches your app, allowing them to choose between different modes – in this case, a Professional (Mode A) and a Badass (Mode B) experience. Think of it as setting the vibe right from the get-go!

Why is a Mode Selection Screen Important?

A mode selection screen is crucial for several reasons. First, it allows users to personalize their experience right from the start. This can lead to higher engagement and a greater sense of ownership. Second, it helps you cater to different user segments with varying needs and preferences. For instance, a professional user might prefer a clean, streamlined interface, while a more adventurous user might appreciate an edgy, feature-rich experience. By offering distinct modes, you can satisfy both types of users.

Furthermore, a well-designed mode selection screen can set the tone for your app. It's your first impression, so you want to make it count! It's a chance to showcase your app's personality and highlight its key features. By providing a clear and compelling choice, you can guide users toward the experience that best suits them, ultimately improving user satisfaction and retention.

Requirements: Setting the Stage for Success

Before we jump into the design and implementation, let's outline the core requirements for our mode selection screen. These requirements will serve as our guiding principles, ensuring that we create a user-friendly and effective experience.

1. Detect First-Time App Launch

This is the foundation of our entire mode selection process. We need a reliable way to determine if the app is being launched for the very first time. This usually involves checking for a specific flag or setting within the app's preferences or storage. If the flag is absent, we know it's the user's first rodeo.

2. Show Full-Screen Mode Selection Before Main App

To ensure that the mode selection process gets the user's full attention, we'll display it in full-screen mode. This prevents distractions and ensures that the user is fully aware of the choice they're making. By presenting the mode selection before the main app interface loads, we create a focused and deliberate experience.

3. Clear Visual Distinction Between Modes

The visual design of our mode selection screen is paramount. We need to clearly differentiate between the available modes, making it easy for users to understand their options at a glance. This can be achieved through distinct color schemes, typography, and imagery. Think of it as visual storytelling – each mode should have its own unique identity.

4. Preview of Each Mode's Personality

Beyond just visual distinctions, we need to give users a taste of what each mode is all about. This means providing a preview of the mode's personality, perhaps through sample text, icons, or even short animations. The goal is to convey the essence of each mode and help users connect with the experience that resonates with them most.

5. Smooth Transition to Main App After Selection

Once the user has made their choice, we need to ensure a seamless transition to the main app. This means avoiding any jarring jumps or delays. A smooth transition reinforces the user's decision and provides a sense of continuity. It's the final touch that completes the first-time user experience.

UI Design: Crafting the User Experience

Now that we've laid the groundwork with our requirements, let's get into the fun part: designing the user interface! The UI is where we bring our vision to life, creating a visually appealing and intuitive experience for our users.

1. Split Screen or Card-Based Selection

There are several ways we can present the mode selection options. Two popular approaches are the split-screen and card-based designs.

• Split-screen: This layout divides the screen into two distinct sections, each representing a mode. This approach provides a clear visual separation and allows for ample space to showcase the unique characteristics of each mode.
• Card-based: This design uses individual cards to represent each mode. Cards are a versatile way to present information and can be easily adapted for different screen sizes. They also lend themselves well to visual hierarchy, allowing you to emphasize the most important elements.

2. Mode A: Clean, Professional Design with Medical Icons

For our Professional (Mode A), we're aiming for a clean and sophisticated aesthetic. Think minimalist design, with a focus on clarity and functionality. The color palette should be calming and professional, perhaps using shades of blue, gray, or white. Medical icons can be incorporated to further reinforce the professional theme. Imagine a sleek and modern interface that inspires confidence and trust.

3. Mode B: Edgy Design with Current App Personality

In contrast, our Badass (Mode B) is all about embracing the app's existing personality, but dialing it up a notch! This mode should exude confidence and boldness. Think vibrant colors, striking typography, and perhaps even some edgy graphics or animations. The goal is to create a visually arresting experience that sets the tone for a more adventurous and unconventional user journey.

4. Include Sample Text Showing Each Mode's Tone

Visuals are important, but words can be just as powerful. To further illustrate the personality of each mode, we'll include sample text snippets that reflect the tone and style of each experience. For Mode A, this might be formal and informative language. For Mode B, it could be more casual and even a little irreverent. These text samples provide a tangible sense of what users can expect from each mode.

5. Prominent Selection Buttons

Finally, we need to make it crystal clear how users can select their preferred mode. This means including prominent and easily identifiable selection buttons. The buttons should be visually distinct and use clear, concise labels (e.g., "Choose Professional," "Go Badass"). Placement is also key – the buttons should be positioned in a way that feels natural and intuitive to the user.

Technical Details: Making it Work Behind the Scenes

The UI design is just one piece of the puzzle. Now, let's delve into the technical aspects of implementing our mode selection screen. This is where we make sure everything works smoothly and seamlessly behind the scenes.

1. Check for 'experienceMode' in Preferences

The first step is to determine if the user has already made a mode selection. We can do this by checking for a specific setting in the app's preferences or storage. In this case, we'll look for a setting called 'experienceMode'. If this setting exists, it means the user has previously chosen a mode. If it's absent, we know it's their first time.

2. If Not Set, Show Mode Selection Screen

If the 'experienceMode' setting is not found, it's our cue to display the mode selection screen. This ensures that the screen only appears on the user's initial launch of the app. We want to guide new users through this important choice without bothering existing users who have already made their selection.

3. Save Selection to Electron-Store

Once the user has chosen their mode, we need to save their selection so that the app remembers it for future launches. In this case, we'll be using Electron-store, a popular library for storing user preferences in Electron applications. We'll save the selected mode (e.g., 'ModeA' or 'ModeB') to the 'experienceMode' setting.

4. Set Default Content Based on Selection

With the user's mode selection safely stored, we can now tailor the app's content and behavior accordingly. This means setting default values, displaying specific UI elements, and potentially even adjusting the app's functionality based on the chosen mode. This is where we truly bring the chosen experience to life.

5. Prevent Showing Selection Screen on Subsequent Launches

Finally, we need to ensure that the mode selection screen doesn't reappear every time the user launches the app. Once the 'experienceMode' setting is set, we'll skip the mode selection screen and proceed directly to the main app interface. This creates a smooth and consistent experience for returning users.

Acceptance Criteria: Ensuring Quality and Functionality

To ensure that our mode selection screen meets the highest standards of quality and functionality, we'll define a set of acceptance criteria. These criteria will serve as a checklist, helping us verify that everything works as expected.

• [ ] Mode selection appears only on first launch: This is our most fundamental requirement. The mode selection screen should only be displayed when the app is launched for the very first time.
• [ ] Both modes are clearly explained: Users should have a clear understanding of the differences between the available modes. This includes both visual distinctions and textual descriptions.
• [ ] Selection is saved to preferences: The user's chosen mode should be correctly saved to the app's preferences, ensuring that it's remembered for future launches.
• [ ] App continues with selected mode: After the user makes their selection, the app should proceed seamlessly to the main interface, tailored to the chosen mode.
• [ ] No way to accidentally skip selection: We need to prevent users from accidentally bypassing the mode selection process. This might involve disabling certain UI elements or implementing a confirmation step.

Parent Epic

This mode selection screen is part of a larger effort to improve the initial user experience. It falls under the umbrella of #59 - Initial Experience Selection, a project focused on creating a welcoming and engaging onboarding process for new users.

By meticulously planning and implementing each of these steps, we can create a mode selection screen that not only looks great but also enhances the overall user experience. This will set the stage for long-term engagement and satisfaction with our app. Let's get to work and make it awesome!