[Feature]: ui/ux modernization for wikimedia commons mobile app

[RyukXO-code]

What is the user problem or growth opportunity you want to see solved?

i’d like to propose a ui/ux modernization for the wikimedia commons mobile applications to improve usability, accessibility, and overall user experience, while keeping the existing functionality and values intact.

How do you know that this problem exists today? Why is this important?

the current ui works well functionally, but it feels visually dated compared to modern mobile app standards. a refreshed interface could improve engagement, contributor onboarding, and long
term usability, especially for new users.

1. first-time users often judge usability quickly based on visual clarity

2. modern ui patterns can improve discoverability and accessibility

3. overall improvement of user experience

Who will benefit from it?

1. new users, who will find the app easier to understand and navigate
2. contributors and uploaders, who will benefit from a smoother and less tiring workflow
3. editors and reviewers, through clearer media presentation and visibility

Anything else you would like to add?

this proposal is ui/ux focused and does not suggest a functional rewrite.
possible approach could include incremental ui improvements, reuse of existing backend logic, and following platform native or material design guidelines, with community discussion before implementation.

i’m happy to help refine ideas, provide mockups or design concepts, and participate in discussion or feedback if needed.

[whym]

This might be related: #6392

[RitikaPahwa4444]

Yes, thanks @whym for linking. The design system is just one part of it, but linked to this issue.

[RitikaPahwa4444]

@RyukXO-code thank you for raising this issue. Mockups would indeed be helpful, but we might have some inspiration coming from the Wikimedia Hackathon as well this year, and maybe you could collaborate remotely too with WMF's designers 🙂

[RyukXO-code]

i would be greatful if i can help the design team through my work, is there any specific branch for the design team? or will it be created later? just let me know.

[RitikaPahwa4444]

It will be done on a different repo, details shared on this issue: #6563.

[RyukXO-code]

@RitikaPahwa4444 thank you for mentioning the issue , i will keep an eye on that.

[RitikaPahwa4444]

Given that @psh is experimenting with the UI on Figma, @RyukXO-code, you both could collaborate and then we can get a final review done by the Wikimedia design team at the hackathon or I could check with WMF if some bandwidth could be dedicated for the review. This would be faster than requesting for the complete design.

[RyukXO-code]

Given that @psh is experimenting with the UI on Figma, @RyukXO-code, you both could collaborate and then we can get a final review done by the Wikimedia design team at the hackathon or I could check with WMF if some bandwidth could be dedicated for the review. This would be faster than requesting for the complete design.

i want to know one thing that, should we suggest the ui design suggestions on the main branch or there will be another branch?

[RyukXO-code]

@RitikaPahwa4444 and im also suggesting that we should create a community on platforms like slack for easy communication.

[RitikaPahwa4444]

We can have another branch. For communication channels, there's another issue for discussion: #6561.