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Mobile App & Design Systems

App & Scalable Design System for iOS & Android

Mobile app experiences for iOS and Android with strategic UX research, beautiful interface design, and comprehensive design systems.
Services I provide
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App Design Services I Provide

Has an Expert, I deliver custom scalable app design services for iOS, Android and Web with comprehensive design systems with full documentation.

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Native iOS App Design

Apple Design System compliant designs. iOS-specific interactions, gestures, and patterns. Pixel-perfect interfaces optimized for all iPhone and iPad sizes.
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Native Android App Design

Material Design 3 compliant interfaces. Android-specific navigation patterns and interactions. Optimized for diverse screen sizes and densities.
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Cross-Platform App Design

Unified design language that works beautifully on both iOS and Android. Adaptable components respecting platform conventions while maintaining brand consistency.
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SaaS & Web App Design

Complex web application interfaces with sophisticated workflows. Real-time collaboration features, data visualization, and analytics dashboards.
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Progressive Web App (PWA) Design

App-like web experiences with mobile-first design. Optimized for touch interactions, offline states, and minimal connectivity.
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Design System Creation

Comprehensive design systems with components, design tokens, and documentation. Built for scalability and consistent updates across versions.
Design Systems
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How I Build Custom Apps

Step by step, see all the stages necessary to build a scalable design app either for iOS, Android or Web has an expert

1. Strategic Research & Analysis

I start with deep user research, competitive analysis, and business strategy to understand your goals, audience, and market position.

Includes: User interviews, competitor benchmarking, personas, user journey mapping

2. Information Architecture & App map

Building a clear app structure that makes sense for users and search engines. Every page is purposefully organized for findability and SEO.

Includes: Content hierarchy, navigation strategy, URL structure, internal linking strategy

3. UX Design & User Flows

Creating wireframes and user flows that guide visitors toward conversion. Every interaction is intentional and tested.

Includes: Wireframes, user flows, interaction patterns, conversion funnels

4. Visual Design & Design Systems

Building beautiful interfaces with scalable design systems. Every component is designed once, implemented everywhere.

Includes: Brand design application, typography, color systems, component library, animations

5. Design Handoff & Dev Collaboration

I stay involved throughout development, not just at handoff. As developers build, I review progress, validate animations and interactions against the Design System, and ensure every detail is implemented as intended.Includes: Development review, animation & motion QA, pixel-perfect validation, cross-device iOS & Android testing
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Comprehensive Design Systems I Build

Building a scalable Design system, includes several stages necessary to design and document it with comprehensive design tokens. Check them below!

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1

Research & Strategy

  • User Research & Interviews
  • Usability Testing
  • UX Writting
  • A/B Testing & Analytics
  • Information Architecture
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2

Design & Prototyping

  • Wireframing & User Flows
  • Interaction Design
  • Visual & UI Design
  • Design Systems
  • Accessibility (WCAG)
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3

Development & Handoff

  • Front-end Development
  • No code & CMS
  • On-page SEO
  • Design QA & Handoff
  • Agile & Git
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4

Innovation & AI

  • Generative AI Design
  • AI Ideation & Strategy
  • AI Content Generation
  • AI Workflow Automation
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1

Color Design Tokens

  • Semantic colors for text, border, surface, action highlights, etc
  • Light and Dark mode variants
  • WCAG 2.1 AA compliant
  • Validated, accessible interactions for all users
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2

Typography System

  • Harmonious type scale built on mathematical relationships
  • Font weights, sizes, line heights & letter spacing defined
  • All use cases: headlines, body text, captions, labels
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3

Spacing, Layout & Breakpoints

  • Spacing scale with Fibonacci sequence (multiples of 8)
  • Margins, padding, gaps & sizes for visual harmony
  • Clear breakpoints from small phones to large screens
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4

Shadow, Border & Radius System

  • Semantic elevation system using shadow tokens
  • Border radius tokens, from subtle to rounded
  • Depth relationships & visual hierarchy between layers
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5

Iconography System

  • Icon library with consistent style, weight & sizing
  • Works seamlessly across iOS and Android
  • Proper sizing for different pixel densities
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6

Animation & Motion Tokens

  • Guidelines with defined timing functions & durations
  • Smooth, predictable transitions and micro-interactions
  • Loading states, scroll reveals, expand/collapse & more
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7

Component Library

  • Reusable components: buttons, inputs, cards, modals & more
  • All states: default, hover, active, focused, disabled, loading, error
  • Light & Dark mode from color tokens
  • User-controlled font scaling
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8

Documentation & Design System

  • Living, maintainable design system built in Figma
  • Comprehensive usage guidelines with Do's and Don'ts
  • Accessibility notes included throughout
  • Ready-to-use code snippets
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Platform-Specific Design Excellence

Both iOS and Android deserve their unique design and platform-native interactions so users feel the app was designed for their device

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Official Apple logotype

iOS Design (Human Interface Guidelines)

  • Navigation: Tab bars, navigation stacks, modal sheets
  • Interactions: Swipe gestures, haptic feedback, 3D Touch
  • Design: Minimalist, content focused, more spacing, liquid glass.
  • Safe areas: Notch, dynamic island, home indicator
  • Fonts: San Francisco system font, optical sizing
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Official Android Logotype

Android Design (Material Design 3)

  • Navigation: Bottom nav, navigation drawer, back button
  • Interactions: Ripple effects, floating action buttons, system back
  • Design: Bold colors, cards, shadows for elevation
  • Safe areas: Support xxhdpi, xhdpi, hdpi screens
  • Fonts: Roboto system font, flexible typography
View examples
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What Clients Say

Growing brands with every project I take on is my motivation. Here’s what my clients have to say about the journey.

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"Gonçalo did a great service to me. I ask to update the design of my iOS applications, Convee and Finwizor. I worked with many designers and design companies, but my experience with Pathfinders was the best, because:
1) Experience on how to do the work. 2) Remote smooth communication. 3) Competitive price. 4) Great quality delivery. 5) Structured workflow of deliverables..."

Maxim Gusarov

Founder of Convee & Finwizor Apps
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"I worked with Pathfinders for some months and I highly recommend these guys. They are extremely professional, highly proactive and always focused on finding the best solution.
Thank you so much for your dedication, Pathfinders. Hopefully will have the chance to work together again soon."

Hugo Cardoso

Senior Digital Manager at AGEAS Portugal
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"Pathfinders and I worked together for a development project that I was managing. They were responsible to design a new product flow, assuring that they would deliver the best UX/UI but also that the flow would be in accordance to the current Design System. The deliveries were on time and with minimal corrections. Communication and availability were perfect."

Nina Melo

Project Manager at Fullsix Portugal
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FAQS About Mobile Apps

Find the most frequent asked questions by clients when doing Mobile Apps.

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App

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What tools do you design and build apps with?

UX/UI design is done primarily in Figma, with flexibility to work in Adobe XD, Sketch, or Framer, depending on project needs.

For development, simple apps can be built directly using Lovable, an AI-powered tool ideal for login flows, dashboards, CMS/database structures, and lightweight app logic.

For more advanced apps, development can be scoped and delivered through trusted partners using technologies such as React Native, native iOS/Android, or Django (for web apps).
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Do you design booking apps?

Yes. Booking flows for appointments, services, or hospitality are a common UX pattern and can be fully designed. If needed, development of these flows can be scoped through collaborators.
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Do you build e-commerce or membership apps?

Yes. Design work can include flows for checkouts, subscriptions, and member-exclusive features. If full development is needed, this can be coordinated through vetted partners depending on scope and tech stack.
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How long does it take to design and build an app?

UX/UI only: Typically between 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on features, flows, and number of screens.
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With development: Timelines vary by project, but can range from 6 months to over a year, depending on platform, complexity, and resources involved.
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What industries have you worked in for apps?

App designs have been delivered in sectors such as Fintech, Banking, Insurtech, Healthcare, Fitness, Wellness, B2B SaaS, Tech Services, Public Sector, Education, Arts, Culture, Real Estate, Hospitality, Travel, Mobility, E-commerce, D2C, Energy, Sustainability, Environment, Crypto & Web3
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Do you offer support after launch?

Yes. Support is available for post-launch UX/UI improvements, new feature design, performance review, and handoff optimization. Technical maintenance is handled by the client or external development teams.
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Logistic

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Do you work with international clients?

Yes, Branco Web Design works fully remotely and regularly collaborates with clients across Europe, the US, and Asia. Invoicing is handled through the VIES system, allowing for valid international invoicing across borders.
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Is a contract signed before starting?

Yes. A simple contract is always provided to formalize the agreement, define scope, deliverables, timelines, and payment terms. It ensures transparency and protection for both sides.
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How is payment handled?

Payments are typically made via bank transfer using WISE or Revolut. Invoices include all necessary payment instructions.
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Are payments split into stages?

Yes. Projects are split into milestones or tranches, depending on size and complexity. This ensures the project progresses smoothly and is paid progressively throughout key phases (e.g., strategy, design, build, launch).
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How soon can a project start?

It depends on current availability and the size of the project. Small projects can often start within 1–3 weeks, while larger ones may require scheduling further in advance.
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Who owns the work after delivery?

Once final payment is received, all project assets are transferred to the client. You receive full rights to use and modify the design and code unless otherwise agreed in writing.
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How is communication handled during the project?

Communication happens via email, Notion, Figma, and video calls depending on the project. Regular updates are shared at key milestones, and async communication is preferred to respect time zones and deep work sessions.
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Do you use AI tools in your working process?

Yes, AI tools are integrated at various stages to improve efficiency, ideation, and scalability. For example:
  • OpenAI helps with content structuring and logic flows through AI agents
  • Relume is used to speed up sitemap and wireframe exploration
  • MidJourney is used for visual exploration and creative direction when needed
  • FireFiles to make meetings 10x more productive
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Ready to Design Your Custom App & Design System?

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