WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps on any mobile platform. It has been a while since iOS 7 has been around and yet WhatsApp hasn't been updated for the latest OS. The current app works great, but doesn't do a good job of organizing the screens and data.
Here is what the header looks like in the current app:
The current tab bar:
'Status' is something which is not accessed often and can be moved under settings. The other buttons can be retained, but my goal was to retain functionality and still reduce visual clutter. In the current design, even though 'Chats' is the primary screen of the app, the Tab bar shown above doesn't do any justice to the screen. Also, it doesn't give a true sense of where the user is. With iOS 7's sense of depth, I set out to create an app with visual hierarchy in mind.
The stack and interaction design
The 'Chats' screen is the main screen of the app and is at the lowest level in the hierarchy. The conversations screen, settings, compose screen will all come in the next level.
The favorites screen however, is special. It is at the top most level, as if it is at a much greater height. The blur and visual depth justifies that. When you select a contact from the 'favorites' screen, you are going back into the app and jump into the second level of the hierarchy. The quick access buttons act like a spring which takes you into the highest level, and then lets you fall back into the app. It's fun. This hierarchy makes the app a lot more interactive and lively -- just like iOS 7 itself.
