Should visual polish ever outweigh functional simplicity in mobile app design?
When redesigning a mobile app, is it better to prioritize visual polish over functional simplicity? I work as a product designer and recently spent two weeks perfecting a gradient background that users barely notice, while our team ignored obvious navigation jams because fixing them would ruin the aesthetic. Users keep complaining about a cluttered interface, but my manager insists that a beautiful design will drive retention. Where should we draw the line between art and usability in digital products?