How I Redesigned the iOS Calculator (Daily UI Challenge)

How I Redesigned the iOS Calculator (Daily UI Challenge)

For Daily UI Challenge, the prompt was simple: redesign a calculator. Naturally, I decided to take one of the most familiar calculators in the world — the iOS version — and give it a modern refresh. Instead of doing a wild, experimental concept, I wanted to re-imagine the existing interface in a way that felt cleaner, more polished, and easier to use for everyday calculations.

This wasn’t about reinventing the wheel; it was about refining what millions of people already use.

My Goals for the Redesign

When approaching the challenge, I set three main goals:

1. Make the interface cleaner and more modern

The original iOS calculator uses heavy shadows, thick outlines, and rounded buttons that visually date the design. I wanted a sleeker, more simplified UI that still felt familiar.

2. Improve spacing and readability

Many calculator apps crowd the number pad and operators together, causing mis-taps. I increased spacing and improved the hierarchy so each button has more breathing room.

3. Add subtle visual cues without clutter

I introduced simple gradients and color variation to help users quickly distinguish operators, functions, and numbers without overwhelming the interface.

Overall, the goal was minimalism — but with just enough contrast to guide the eye.

Design Choices & Why They Work

Cleaner Color Palette

I opted for a slate-gray background paired with clean white and soft orange accents. This provides:

• excellent contrast

• professional visual tone

• a modern, almost “pro app” feel

Orange was used sparingly to highlight primary actions (like the “equals” button), making the important controls stand out instantly.

Simplified Button Layout

I redesigned the button grid to:

• reduce visual clutter

• improve spacing around touch targets

• maintain consistent alignment

• elongate key function buttons

This increases usability on small screens and reduces the chance of tapping the wrong number.

Modern Typography

Changing the font to a more contemporary, geometric style instantly updated the look. Numbers appear sharper and easier to read — especially at a glance.

Subtle Depth, Not Heavy Shadows

The original app has strong 3D shadows that make it feel bulky. I used softer layering for a cleaner, flatter interface that still feels tactile.

What I Would Improve With More Time

If this wasn’t a Daily UI sprint, I’d explore:

• a scientific mode redesign

• haptic interaction patterns

• gesture-based operations

• color-blind accessibility options

• alternate themes (dark, high-contrast, neon, etc.)

Even small details like micro-animations could add delight without slowing the experience.

Why Challenges Like This Matter

Daily UI challenges are great for sharpening your UI instincts — not because you reinvent apps, but because you rethink them. They force you to consider:

• spacing

• contrast

• hierarchy

• usability

• user behavior

• visual clarity

And when you apply this level of thought to a small app like a calculator, it improves how you design larger, more complex interfaces. This same approach is what I bring into every website and UI project I work on at Ember & Forge.

Need UI or Website Design Support?

If you like this type of design thinking, it’s exactly what we bring to small businesses at Ember & Forge — clear, modern interfaces that make your brand easy to understand and easy to trust.

Whether you need a new website or ongoing design + marketing help, explore our services.

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