How to Find Good Graphics for Your Apps

July 1, 2025

In today’s technologically driven environment, graphics are critical to the success of mobile apps. High-quality graphics not only improve the user experience, but they also help to successfully convey your app’s message. Whether you’re creating a healthcare app, a game, or a productivity tool, the appropriate images can make or break your app’s popularity. This is a complete guide on finding nice visuals for your apps.

1. Understand Your App’s Branding

Before you begin searching for visuals, you must first grasp your app’s branding. Consider asking yourself:

What is the message you wish to convey?
Who is your intended audience?
How do you want your users to feel?
Your branding will influence your graphic design decisions, maintaining uniformity in style, colour, and tone throughout your app.

2. Use Stock Image Websites.

Stock image websites include a wealth of graphics suitable for business usage. Several popular platforms include:

Shutterstock: Offers a large collection of high-quality photos, vectors, and illustrations.
Adobe Stock: Ideal for designers, with a large selection of professional graphics.
Unsplash: a free resource that features breathtaking photographs donated by photographers all around the world.
Pexels: Free stock pictures and videos, ideal for mobile app development.

When using stock photographs, make sure you have the proper licenses, particularly for commercial use.

3. Consider custom graphics.

While generic images are easy, personalised visuals can add a unique touch that distinguishes your app. Hiring a graphic designer can be a great investment. Here are some places where you can locate great designers.

Fiverr: A marketplace where you can hire freelancers for specific projects, like graphic design.
Upwork: A network for connecting with freelance experts with a variety of abilities, including graphic design.
99designs: A design contest site where multiple designers can submit ideas based on your brief.

Custom graphics enable more personalised and unique visual elements that are completely aligned with your brand.

4. Explore Design Tools

If you prefer a hands-on approach, consider employing design tools that allow you to generate your own graphics:

Canva: A simple application that includes templates and design components to help you create beautiful images.
Adobe Illustrator: A powerful vector graphics editor excellent for generating unique images.
Sketch: Popular among app designers for designing user interfaces and images.

These tools frequently have built-in libraries of icons, graphics, and design components that might help your app’s appearance.

5. Look for inspiration.

Inspiration can originate from a variety of sources. Explore platforms such as:

Dribbble: A community of designers sharing their work, ideal for getting inspired and understanding design trends.
Behance: A site that showcases creative work from a variety of industries, including graphic design and app development.
Pinterest: A visual discovery engine that lets you look for app designs and graphic ideas.

Collecting inspiration can help you see your desired outcome and communicate it to designers or teammates.

6. Concentrate on user experience.

While aesthetics are vital, do not overlook the user experience (UX). Graphics should enhance rather than impede usability. Consider the following.

Clarity: Ensure that the icons and graphics are easily identifiable.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent look throughout your app to reduce user confusion.
Accessibility: Consider colour contrast and legibility for all users, especially those who are visually impaired.

7. Test Graphics with Users

Whenever you’ve chosen or generated your graphics, try testing them with real people. Obtain comments on their effectiveness and appeal. A/B testing can be useful in this situation; try different visuals for the same element to see which works better.

8. Stay Informed on Trends

Graphic design trends change, and remaining current will help keep your app looking new. Follow design blogs, attend webinars, and interact with the design community to stay up to date on the newest trends and technologies.

Conclusion

Finding effective graphics for your apps requires a combination of knowing your branding, leveraging available resources, and prioritising user experience. Whether you use standard photos, unique designs, or build your graphics, the most important thing is that they are relevant to the objective of your app and appeal to your target audience. Investing time and resources in high-quality images can dramatically increase your app’s appeal and user engagement.