Niraj Patil

Issues iOS App

In 2015 I launched an iOS app called Issues. And boy did it have a lot of issues when it launched. Jokes aside, Issues is the first app I’ve architected and designed from scratch. The app helps comic book fans track comic books they own or want, helps them make lists, and helps new readers discover great comics. I’ve listed usability improvements I made to version 2.0 of the app.

Issues app loading screen

BROWSING YOUR COMIC COLLECTION IS NOW A LOT EASIER

ISSUES version 1.0 had a heavy focus on discovering comic books versus collecting them. Users complained that it wasn’t easy for them to create and browse their collection. Well, fine! The new (Version 2.0) Home screen dives users right into their comic collection while hiding a few discovery features. Users browse their collection, see when new issues from their favorite comics become available, and share titles with friends.

I’VE STILL GIVEN COMIC BOOK DISCOVERY ITS SPACE

While ISSUES 2.0 is more collection focused I’ve pushed one of the app’s core features to the surface. Tags are still around, allowing users to describe a comic book to new readers. Displayed atop the comic’s landing screen, tags can be voted up and down, making them more or less relevant to the comic and making it easier for new readers to find comics of interest quickly.

YOU CAN SELECT MULTIPLE ISSUES AT ONCE

ISSUES version 1.0 didn’t let users select multiple issues within a title. This was especially difficult for comic book fans who owned over a hundred issues in a single title. I fixed this in version 2.0, allowing users to bulk add and edit issues in their collection.

THE APP HAS NEW FAMILIAR FACES

I updated the app's profile screen to let users choose a secret (or not so secret) identity for themselves through their favorite comic book / pop culture characters.

Update: I stoped working on Issues in 2019. Issues relied on a number of third-party apps to house comics and user content, and most of those third-party apps shut down over time. With it so did Issues' ability to work well. I'm working on a new idea around comics discovery that's simpler to build and relies only on open-source platforms to function well.