Messengers and social networks were among the most popular mobile apps in Q2 2024. They occupied 8 positions in top -10 most downloaded. Instagram, Facebook and TikTok made the top-3. The most downloaded shopping app — Temu — stayed at 6th place. CapCut — free, all-in-one video editing tool — was 7th. The three most popular in the US were Temu, TikTok and Threads. How to create a mobile app that would become popular among tens of millions users? We had an insightful discussion with Oleg Sukhorukov, a renowned and internationally acclaimed expert in application design, focusing on how to create applications suitable for millions of users worldwide.
Oleg Sukhorukov is an excellent leading expert in digital product design. Working for Readdle, his extraordinary ability to balance innovation and functionality allowed him to spearhead the end-to-end design of Calendars, one of the most downloaded calendar apps on the App Store. He led the design efforts across multiple platforms, including globally recognized platforms like iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, to ensure seamless user experiences and consistent high-quality visual design. At the moment, he is exploring new opportunities on innovative, rapidly evolving, and increasingly popular platforms such as Vision Pro and CarPlay. While these platforms are not currently prioritized by the company, Oleg makes sure that the team continues to innovate and assess their potential for future growth. The app has been installed over 30 million times, earning widespread recognition and winning the prestigious Red Dot Award in 2021 for outstanding quality and communication design, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in every aspect of its development. In this role, he also mentored junior designers, providing guidance on best practices in UI/UX design and encouraging creative innovation within the team. His leadership and high level of expertise ensured that Calendars consistently met and exceeded user expectations, significantly impacting how millions of users organize their time while reinforcing its reputation as a market leader in productivity tools.
As a co-founder of Spec Air, a pioneering company offering a comprehensive automotive air suspension system designed to elevate driving experiences across diverse conditions, Oleg introduced groundbreaking features, leading the ideation, design, and user experience of the product, enabling users to make real-time ride height adjustments and create personalized profiles for seamless transitions between urban cruising and off-road adventures. He played a key role in product strategy and branding, ensuring a user-focused approach that differentiated Spec Air in a competitive market. It was honored with the Italian A’Design Award 2024 for exceptional product design.
How does the quality of the application affect its popularity, and how significant is the role of randomness here?
Quality undeniably influences the success of an application, but it is not the sole determinant of popularity. The cornerstone of any successful app is its ability to address a specific user problem or need. Even the most polished product with impeccable design and functionality will struggle if it fails to connect with its audience on a practical level.
For instance, consider AirPods Pro 2. These headphones are widely recognized for their high-quality sound, advanced features, and premium design. However, on airplanes, where users cannot connect them to onboard multimedia systems, their practical utility diminishes. In contrast, the free wired headphones provided by airlines, despite their poor sound quality and uncomfortable design, often become the preferred choice because they serve the user’s immediate need. This highlights a key insight: functionality and problem-solving often outweigh quality when it comes to popularity.
However, quality does play a decisive role in building long-term loyalty and reputation. Randomness or luck might spark initial interest or virality, but sustaining popularity requires consistent quality. Applications like Instagram or TikTok gained traction partly due to timing and trends but solidified their positions by delivering a seamless, enjoyable user experience that addressed core user desires: connection and entertainment. In summary, randomness can be a factor in short-term success, but for sustained growth, the app must strike a balance between quality, functionality, and relevance to its audience.
What is more important when developing application design – a set of functions, a user-friendly and intuitive interface, or the versatility of the application on different platforms? How important is it that the application on each platform looks and works the same?
A user-friendly and intuitive interface is the foundation of any successful application. Users expect an app to feel natural and effortless, where they can achieve their goals without frustration or confusion. Even the most comprehensive feature set will go unnoticed if users struggle to navigate the app or cannot intuitively understand how to use its functions.
Let’s take the analogy of a Swiss Army knife. While it offers numerous tools, its complexity and compact size can make it awkward to use for specific tasks. Similarly, an application with a wide range of features risks overwhelming users unless its interface is well-structured and guides them effectively through their journey. For example, apps like Calendars or Spotify are widely successful because their interfaces prioritize ease of use, ensuring that users can access powerful features without steep learning curves.
Versatility across platforms is critical for broad adoption. However, the key lies in optimizing the design for the strengths and limitations of each platform. A desktop app might benefit from detailed control and advanced settings, while a mobile version should prioritize quick access and touch-based interactions. Consistency in visual appearance across platforms helps establish brand identity and familiarity but should never compromise the usability or functionality specific to the platform. The best apps — like Slack or Notion — balance cross-platform consistency with platform-specific optimizations, delivering a seamless yet tailored experience.
In your opinion, what is the best way to train young professionals to develop user-friendly and functional user applications?
Training young professionals to design effective applications requires a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical experience. While design principles and usability theories provide a strong foundation, hands-on practice is where real growth happens. Designers learn best by creating, testing, and refining their work in real-world scenarios.
One effective approach is to assign small, focused projects that mimic real challenges. For example, a trainee might be tasked with designing a simple onboarding flow for an app. After completing the initial design, they would present it to peers or potential users to gather feedback. This feedback loop teaches them the importance of iteration, user feedback, and adaptability—key traits for any successful designer.
Equally important is fostering a deep understanding of the connection between UI (the interface’s visual design) and UX (the overall user experience). These disciplines are not separate silos; they are two sides of the same coin. A visually appealing interface loses value if it frustrates users, and a functional experience can fall flat if it lacks visual clarity. Young professionals should be encouraged to approach design holistically, considering how each element — from colors to button placement — affects the user’s emotions, behavior, and satisfaction.
Lastly, mentorship plays a vital role in training. Experienced designers can provide invaluable insights, critique, and guidance. Sharing personal experiences—both successes and failures — helps trainees learn to navigate common challenges and avoid costly mistakes. Combining this mentorship with structured tasks and real-world scenarios equips young professionals with the skills and mindset needed to create exceptional applications.
Conclusion
Ultimately, success in digital product design lies in deeply understanding your users, iterating relentlessly, and crafting products that connect with people on both practical and emotional levels. This philosophy has guided my career and shaped my approach to creating impactful solutions.
I believe that design is far more than aesthetics — it is a powerful tool for solving real problems and driving positive change in society. A well-designed product not only meets functional needs but also elicits an emotional response, creating experiences that delight, engage, and inspire. Every project is an opportunity to advance societal well-being through ethical design practices, ensuring that products are intuitive, accessible, and beneficial to a wide audience.
At its core, design is about telling stories and creating solutions that resonate with people. Once, I came across a phrase that deeply resonated with my own perspective: “People don’t buy pretty designs — they buy solutions and stories.” It so perfectly aligned with my philosophy that I began using it to articulate my approach to design.
I hope this perspective encourages you to see design as more than a craft — it is a responsibility and a privilege to create something that truly changes lives, even if only by a small measure. By staying user-focused and committed to quality, we can shape a world where design improves life, one step — or even one dro
