Make it Memorable: Crafting Apps That Stand Out

In today's crowded App Store, standing out requires more than technical excellence. Over the past decade, I've developed a design approach that powered the launch of 7 apps and games, earned two Apple Design Award nominations and a win. This approach centres on creating memorable core experiences that resonate with users – and keeps you motivated through the inevitable development struggles.

I'll share my journey from concept to launch, including practical tools and techniques to accelerate development, enhance app quality, and increase visibility on the App Store.

This exact talks was given at iOSKonf25 in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Transcript

1. Klemens Strasser - 16.01.2025 Make it Memorable Crafting Apps That Stand Out
2. January 2014
4. Regular Expressions
8. iPad Version Daily Puzzle 5 Chapters Timed Mode 100 Levels Game Center Leaderboards Achievements Social Media Integration Push Notifications Quotes
11. April 2014
18. Math Geography Famous People Topics Rush Mode Review your Answers Statistics Game Center Leaderboards Achievements Social Media Sharing
19. Elementary Minute 01.12.2014
24. 10 Years!
26. Letter Rooms Study Snacks The Art of Fauna Subwords Asymmetric Elementary Minute Ancient Board Game Collection
27. Memorable
31. Memorable
32. Find something memorable to help you stand out and get through the rough patches of development.
33. Idea Prototype Refine Release
35. App Store
36. App Store
37. Idea
38. Inspiration where I least expect it
41. Take breaks, get inspired
42. Prototype
43. Get to a result as quickly as possible
44. Clean Code App Architecture Data Model ❌ ✅ Quick Result Familiar Technologies Copy Code
45. It ’ s OK to throw away the code afterwards You know the requirements much better after the prototype
46. Is it fun & memorable? Can I make it accessible?
51. Refine
52. Nail the core experience Get rid of interaction quirks
53. Initial Impression only once 􀉬 >
58. There is no excuse to skip accessibility
63. Release (Quickly)
64. Pre-Orders
65. � Deadline Marketing Material
69. Reuse as much as possible
73. • View Modifier • Extensions • Privacy Policy • Localisations • IAP logic • Sounds & Haptics handling
74. The value of reducing scope
75. iPad Support Daily Lessons Shortcuts Widget SharePlay Custom App Icons ClassKit 9 Languages Geography Science Vocabulary List Scanner
76. iPad Support Daily Lessons Shortcuts Widget SharePlay Custom App Icons ClassKit 4 Languages Geography Science Vocabulary List Scanner
77. Updates!
79. Apple 🤍 interesting usages of their new APIs
80. Note: Study with Subwords is the old name of Study Snacks before it was rebranded.
81. Apple 🤍 updates for specific events
86. Idea Prototype Refine Release
87. Don ’ t worry to much Get it out there You ’ ll do fine!
88. Thanks! strasser.app @klemensstrasser