Article by George Norman

On 17 Jun 2016

When Apple says that an app is good enough to win a Design Award, it’s a pretty big deal. After all, Apple doesn’t recognize any app, it honors the best and most innovative apps that set a benchmark for excellence.

At WWDC 2016, Apple presented the winners of the Apple Design Awards. The following 12 apps were recognized for their usability, excellence in design, excellence in innovation, and excellence in technology adoption.


1. Complete Anatomy

• What is it?

It’s an app that will teach you about anatomy. Meant for medical students, medical professionals, and anyone who wants to learn about anatomy, it features interactive and accurate 3D anatomy models and over 6,200 high resolution anatomical structures

• What did Apple like about it?

"The stunning and impeccably accurate 3D visualizations and iOS optimized performance utterly transforms the way that people can learn about the human body."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for free from the App Store.


2. Streaks

• What is it?

It’s a to-do app that lets you track up to six tasks and helps you form good habits. The name Streaks is based on the fact that your goal is to complete daily tasks and build a streak of consecutive days.

• What did Apple like about it?

Apple commended Streaks for having created "elegant, straightforward apps for iOS and watchOS."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for $3.99 from the App Store.


3. Zova – Personal Trainer

• What is it?

It’s a health and fitness app that offers workouts and training plans across a variety of styles including circuit, strength, tabata, HIIT and yoga.

• What did Apple like about it?

"With rich, well-considered, polished video content and clever design, Zova delivers high resolution streaming videos with special consideration paid to the context of the user."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for free from the App Store.


4. Frame.io – Video Review and Collaboration

• What is it?

It’s a video collaboration platform that you can use to upload all your source media, work in progress clips, and assets into private workspaces where you can invite your team and clients to collaborate.

• What did Apple like about it?

"It has a distinct and coherent visual style, impressive motion effects, and supports Auto Layout, Dynamic Type, 3D Touch Quick Actions, and Peek and Pop."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for free from the App Store.


5. Ulysses

• What is it?

It’s a writing environment. It offers useful tools that cover every phase of the writing process. It will come in handy if you’re a student, a blogger, a journalist, and so on.

• What did Apple like about it?

Apple made sure to highlight the fact that "writers can switch seamlessly between their devices at any time without their writing process being interrupted."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for $24.99 from the App Store and for $44.99 from the Mac App Store.


6. Chameleon Run

• What is it?

It’s a game. A fast and challenging autorunner where you have to jump, switch and run through expertly crafted levels. But be careful, because you have to change your runner’s color to match the ground.

• What did Apple like about it?

"Its unique twist on the platformer genre makes it sweetly challenging, and excellent re-playability and attention to detail make it clear that plenty of care and craft were put into the development and design of this game."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for $1.99 from the App Store.


7. Lara Croft GO

• What is it?

It’s one of the best iOS games of last year. A turn based puzzle-adventure game that is set in a long-forgotten world. There are ruins to be explored, secrets to be uncovered, deadly challenges to be overcome, and menacing enemies to be fought.

• What did Apple like about it?

"With beautiful attention to detail paid to the characters and the environment, Lara Croft Go takes advantage of Metal to render its captivating environment, was redesigned for the Multi-touch experience, supports Game Center and iCloud for syncing progress, and provides highly responsive game play."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for $4.99 from the App Store or from Google Play.


8. INKS

• What is it?

It’s a pinball game, but not the boring old type of pinball. Described as "pinball for a new generation," INKS lets you create wondrous works of art as the ball smashes around the canvas.

• What did Apple like about it?

By playing this game, you’re creating art. "The compositions created are gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces of art."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for $1.99 from the App Store.


9. Auxy Music Creation

• What is it?

It’s an app that will help you create music and then share it with others. Use it to come up with your own synth and drum loops.

• What did Apple like about it?

"Auxy’s design avoids extraneous visual elements and is instantly engaging, clearing the way for electronic music fans to create their own tracks."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for free from the App Store.


10. djay Pro

• What is it?

A professional grade app for performing DJs. It’s packed full of useful features that will take your DJing sets to new heights. This isn’t the first time that djay Pro wins an Apple Design Award; it won one in 2011 as well.

• What did Apple like about it?

"The iOS version includes a suite of sophisticated desktop-class features including four decks, high definition waveforms, and mixing of up to four audio tracks plus two simultaneous 4K video streams."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for $19.99 from the App Store and $49.99 from the Mac App Store.


11. Linum

• What is it?

It’s a puzzle game. The goal is to land nodes on the landing points. To clear a level, all the landing points must reach 0.

• What did Apple like about it?

"With a smart implementation of touch, an approachable progression system, terrific overall presentation, and great use of system technologies such as UIView animations, CoreData, StoreKit, ReplayKit, and GameCenter, Linum definitely deserves one of our student Apple Design Awards."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for free from the App Store.


12. Dividr

• What is it?

It’s a 2D arcade game. The goal is to survive for as long as you can. The longer you survive, the higher your score.

• What did Apple like about it?

"Written entirely in Swift, Dividr uses 3D Touch variance pressure to determine how hard a player is pressing, and its simple, clean design makes this game a delight to play and worthy of winning a Student Apple Design Award."

• Where can I get it?

You can get it for free from the App Store.




Tags: Apple, WWDC, Apple Design Awards, App Store, iOS, Complete Anatomy, Streaks, Zova Personal Trainer, Frame.io Video Review and Collaboration, Ulysses, Chameleon Run, Lara Croft GO, INKS, Auxy Music Creation, djay Pro, Linum, Dividr

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