We are expert user UX designers and cross-platform app developers that can manage the full lifecycle of digital product development. From concept, user experience design, visual design and branding, through to release. Our approach to software development is based on a process of discovery and iteration. As a result, we can collaborate closely with your team and your target audience. Our work continues beyond launch. We use app analytics and user feedback to improve the software and deliver the best results for your product.

Digital Product Design

Design thinking

We are passionate about crafting great software. As a UX design agency we use a Design Thinking approach as part of digital product design. The Design Thinking method helps us understand people, generate and validate ideas, and release products iteratively. We iterate and improve UX prototypes to create a seamless user experience no matter what platform or touchpoint.

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With high competition, apps need high-quality user experience design, strong branding and an appropriate tone of voice. Visual design considers the effects of colour, layout, typography, illustration and photography on the overall appeal of the product. We employ collaborative design tools as part of the digital product design process. Figma and Sketch are used to create high fidelity UX prototypes and gather feedback. They are also used to handover artwork, style guides and design systems to client teams.

Custom Software Development

App development

At Milo Creative we have been developing mobile apps right from the start. For mobile app development we have used both the native iOS and Android Software Development Kits (SDKs). We have developed apps with Objective-C and Swift for iOS as well as Java and Kotlin for Android.

We are also experts in developing cross-platform apps with React Native and React. Since 2016 React Native and React has been our platform of choice for cross-platform app development. We have delivered a plethora of cross-platform apps for iOS, Android & Web.

Cross-Platform App Development

What is cross-platform app development?

Cross-platform app development is the process of building and delivering apps that can run across multiple devices. Cross-platform app development helps to maximise code sharing and reduce the overall maintenance cost. Rather than creating individual applications for every single platform, you create a single – universal – codebase. This can be shared among all of them at the same time.
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Cross-platform app developers, with the right set of tools, can now share the code across a variety of platforms. This includes iOS, Android, Web, desktop (both Mac and Windows) as well as others such TVs (via tvOS) or even your car (via CarPlay).

React Native App Development

Why React Native?

React Native is the most popular framework on the market for delivering universal applications. It is a JavaScript framework that has been created and open-sourced by Facebook. React Native is very popular amongst mobile app developers. It is used by major software development companies such as Facebook, Microsoft, Instagram, Bloomberg, Uber, Pinterest. It is also used by a variety of startups such as Zopa and Smarkets. React Native developers can use the same code to create individual versions of an app (mobile, web, desktop, etc.). The great thing is that React Native apps can maintain the individual look and feel of the given platform.

One app for iOS, Android as well as the Web

Firstly, when you have an app that runs on the three most popular platforms (iOS, Android and the Web) you significantly increase the reach of your business. iOS and Android  together own more than 98% of the mobile operating system market. 

React Native gives you opportunities to deliver apps faster and reach your audience on their platform of choice. You can stay ahead of your competitors and start making revenue quicker than others. According to Statista Apple has almost 50% penetration in the UK. Therefore having presence on both major mobile platforms from the beginning is essential for a business' growth strategy.

Benefits Of React Native App Development

Key features of React Native

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Efficiency

Having separate applications for multiple platforms is inefficient and reduces the velocity of digital innovation. This impacts how quickly businesses can adapt. Developing a cross-platform React Native app is a good solution from the potential cost and time savings.

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Unified Experience

With different software programmers and tools, it is challenging for any app development company to ensure a unified experience on each platform. With React Native you can hire just one team to create the code that runs on iOS and Android.

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Performance

A compelling reason for using React Native for cross-platform app development is performance. React Native is recommended because apps can achieve 60 frames per second and have a native look and feel. This is possible due to the architecture of React Native that under the hood uses native components.

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Speed of development

React Native's architecture includes a “fast refresh” tool that allows changes in code to instantly reflect in the UI. This is a huge benefit for any mobile app development company looking to streamline the software development process.

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JavaScript ecosystem

The community of JavaScript specialists positively influences the community by making it more quality-oriented. The process is also easier for mobile app developers because they can benefit from a rich JavaScript ecosystem. The React Native developer community is growing at a fast pace.

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Code Sharing

React Native shortens the time to market for your app, so you can start profiting faster. Rather than having software application developers duplicate the same logic and user experience across all platforms, code is shared. Your company resources can be used for digital innovation and to bring new features more quickly than your rivals.

Cross-Platform Game Development With Unity

Game development

At Milo, we have a long history of developing gamification systems and educational games. These are often referred to as serious or instructional games.

Our preferred platform for developing cross-platform games is the Unity game engine. Unity can be used for creating mobile, web, desktop, console and virtual reality games. Unity is particularly popular for iOS and Android mobile game development. The engine can be used to create 2D and 3D games, as well as interactive simulations and other experiences.

Backend Development

Serverless technology

We use Amazon Web Services (AWS) serverless technologies to create flexible, scalable, and reliable serverless backends.

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Reliability

Increase the reliability of an app using well tested AWS services. Services such as Cognito for account management or Dynamo DB for data management.

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Reduce costs

Reduce cost of development since we are not building from scratch, but we are instead re-using existing services

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Pay as you go

Utilise a pay as you go model that allows the backend app to auto-scale as a user demand changes

Headless Content Management System

Headless CMS

For many of our apps we integrate a headless content management system (CMS). The headless CMS is used to manage the content and configuration of a mobile app, web application or game. A headless CMS offers increased flexibility and scalability from a traditional CMS. It is decoupled from the presentation layer. This means that content can be managed in one place and deployed across any frontend application.
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Integrating a Headless CMS to manage content and configuration settings across multiple platforms can be an effective omnichannel strategy. Its integration into any software, or website via an API means it can be set up for non-technical teams. This enables non-technical teams to manage a suite of digital products from one place.

Digital Product Development Process

App launch, growth & product support

As a UX design agency we keep an ear to the ground and monitor audience feedback and analytics. This helps your product hit its business model fit. Launching is only the beginning. Keeping apps useful and current requires incremental software development, feature improvements that build on each new release.

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In order to maximise visibility, we assist you in navigating the app stores' internal workings. We help monitor user behaviour after product launch and use app analytics to track and respond to our users. We want to know how they interact, any drop-off points, features they love and those they’d love to have. These insights help constantly inform the roadmap for ongoing digital product design and future development.

Lean & Agile App Development

Project Management

We appoint a single point of contact throughout the digital product development process. The team uses a suite of communication tools for all project communication, scheduling and file sharing. We use Agile and lean principles to turn the plan into a product, then release it to the market.
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This allows us to be transparent about what we are working on. It allows our clients to prioritise the work that brings the greatest value. The sooner your Minimum Viable Product hits the stores, the sooner you start learning, and find your product-market fit.

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Let's talk

Talk to us about your business plans. We can assist with the creation of your upcoming mobile application, web app, or educational game.

Our knowledgeable staff of app designers and software developers are available to answer all of your inquiries. No matter how simple or complex they may be.

Whether it is about digital product development, user experience design, or custom software development we can help.

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