Enhancing User Experience with the Floating Action Button

The Floating Action Button (FAB) serves as a standout circular icon that hovers above the applications’ interface, with a design that catches the eye amid the broader user interface. Google’s Material Design guidelines, unveiled in 2014, were the catalyst for the widespread adoption of the FAB in both web and mobile design landscapes. Its diminutive size belies the substantial impact it can have on user experience. When utilized appropriately, the FAB is engineered to be immediately recognizable and effortlessly accessible.
Floating Action Button in Android app

1. Spotlight Key Functions

The FAB should accentuate an app’s most important or commonly used functions, encapsulating the essence of an application’s purpose. For instance, a music app may display a FAB that toggles between ‘Play’ and ‘Stop,’ while one akin to Instagram could feature a ‘Capture Photo’ FAB. This calls for meticulous design considerations that zoom in on a singular, standout function to enhance user interaction.
A floating action button signifies the primary function of an application, such as playing or pausing music on this interface.
Studies by Steve Jones indicate that initial encounters with FAB might pose slight usability challenges. Nonetheless, once users complete a task with FAB, their future interactions become more efficient compared to traditional action buttons.

2. Assist in Navigation

FAB also acts as a directional guide, prompting users on the next course of action, especially in unfamiliar interfaces. Google’s research emphasizes FAB’s role in helping users navigate through content, proving its value as a digital guidepost.
The Floating Action Button on Twitter propels users toward content creation.

3. Unveil Multiple Options

A well-designed FAB can segue into an array of additional choices, as exemplified by the Evernote app. It’s advisable to unveil a minimum of three and no more than six related options upon interaction. These selections should be inextricably linked to the FAB’s primary function and to one another, steering clear of the randomness that might ensue were they placed on a toolbar.

Don’t: Offer unrelated actions like ‘Where I am’ amidst content creation options.

4. Stay Context-Sensitive

The FAB interacts with user intention and situational context. Taking Google+ as a case in point, it reveals the button during active user engagement with the social stream but retires it during inactivity, adapting to the changing context of user behavior.

5. Seamlessly Transition Between States

Going beyond a simple round button, the FAB incorporates transformational qualities that facilitate smooth transitions from one screen to another. Through logical and intuitive animations, it maintains users’ spatial awareness, clarifies the shift in the layout, and guides them on revisiting these changes if needed.
Image credit: Ehsan Rahimi
Image credit: Dribbble

Conclusion

While some may critique FAB as troublesome for UX, it’s often because it’s unfamiliar territory for both users and designers alike. In time, as we adapt, it’s clear that the FAB, if implemented correctly, holds the potential to significantly streamline and enhance user interactions within an app.