Branch
Branch, a leader in mobile deep linking technology, set out to create a best-in-class search experience for Android users. They asked us to help them bring it to life.
![People using their phones to search for concerts on a city street at night](/uploads/branch-hero-poster.webp)
The key insight
Branch’s technology allows users to search their mobile devices to find not only files, contacts, and apps — but also specific content within apps. We had to find a way to highlight this innovative feature without sacrificing the search experience’s overall utility.
The bold strategy
When users open a mobile device search experience, they expect to find apps and contacts. So we kept it that way — but we added suggested searches at the top of the screen as a way to discover in-app results. A suggested search like “pizza near me” was our way of sending users a simple message: that you can find more than you think if you just start typing.
![Mockup of a mobile screen showing a proposed search interface, with prominent, personalized suggestions and a grid of 'quick launch' icons.](/uploads/branch-screen-01.jpg)
Enticing users with delight
Android users are familiar with the app drawer, an alphabetical grid of every app on their device. This search experience was brand new to them — and they needed to opt in. We used a playful illustration style to highlight the benefits of activating a more robust search experience.
![Set of mobile screens showing a friendly, informative onbpoarding process with playful illustrations.](/uploads/branch-screen-02.jpg)
Diving deep with in-app results
When you want to find a salad place, you might search for Yelp on your mobile device and open the app. Now, you can simply type “salad” — and compare Yelp results to every other food-related app. To highlight this feature, we created a simple design that emphasizes in-app results while maintaining the context of the apps themselves.
![Mobile screen showing proposed Branch search interface surfacing results from multiple apps.](/uploads/branch-scroll-screen-01.jpg)
![Mobile screen showing the same search performed directly in Yelp.](/uploads/branch-scroll-screen-02.jpg)
Boldium has been an amazing design partner for us. They recently helped us with a redesign of a strategic new product. The Boldium team took the time to really dig into the problem we're solving. Their effort led to a thoughtful new design which directly contributed to the product's accelerated momentum.
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Step-by-step guidance
This technology is built into the devices themselves, so Branch needed a detailed guide that would help their partners implement it properly. We created a guidance document that included everything from character-based search logic to “dos and don’ts” to a demo video of how a typical search would work.
![Composite illustration showing multiple pages of the guidance document Boldium created for Branch partners.](/uploads/branch-guidelines.jpg)
A flexible design approach
Each Branch partner has a unique device with a unique aesthetic for their existing screens. Knowing this experience had to work within these different design systems, we provided a variety of options — both light and dark — that we felt could work well.
![Set of screenshots showing Branch's mobile search UI in various mobile applications, showing its flexibility in adapting to various brand guidelines across a variety of partnrs.](/uploads/branch-screen-03.jpg)
Research
- Usability testing
- Qualitative interviews
Strategy
- Strategy pillars
- Personas
- Information architecture
- Feature roadmapping
Design
- UX/UI design
- Visual design
- Design optimization
- Creative direction
- Accessibility
Content
- Content strategy
- Copywriting