Originally posted 6 years ago by Pawel Ludwiczak, UI Designer at Rocker Creative
Designing for Android can be a challenge—not only because of the creative work involved but also due to the sheer number of screen densities. Pawel Ludwiczak asked the community how they manage asset preparation for Android apps, especially given the variety of densities such as ldpi, mdpi, hdpi, xhdpi, xxhdpi, and xxxhdpi. His work typically starts at a base resolution of 720×1280 (one of the Nexus resolutions), and he wanted to know what multipliers or techniques others use to scale their assets.
Understanding Android Screen Densities
Android devices come in a wide array of screen densities. However, many designers focus on the following core groups:
- mdpi (baseline): 1×
- hdpi: 1.5×
- xhdpi: 2×
- xxhdpi: 3×
- xxxhdpi: 4× (less commonly needed)
These multipliers are generally based on the mdpi standard (≈160dpi). As Marc Edwards clarified, if you use mdpi as your starting point then:
- mdpi = 1×
- hdpi = 1.5×
- xhdpi = 2×
- xxhdpi = 3×
- xxxhdpi = 4×
This set of multipliers is backed up by official Android documentation and widely accepted practice.
Techniques and Tools for Asset Preparation
There are several approaches to streamline this process:
Design Software and Plugins
- Sketch: Many designers, including Pawel, use Sketch because it simplifies exporting assets in multiple sizes.
- GenerateAndroidAssets Plugin: As shared by Sergi Miral, this Sketch plugin lets you adjust factor variables—for instance, setting xxhdpi as the base (factor = 1) and defining other multipliers accordingly (e.g., mdpi ≈0.34, hdpi ≈0.5, xhdpi ≈0.67, and xxxhdpi ≈1.34). While these numbers might be rounded, they can serve as a useful starting point for rapid export.
Photoshop-Based Workflows
- Photoshop Scripts & Actions: Marc Edwards mentioned using a combination of Photoshop scripts, actions, and even Hazel rules to automate exporting assets.
- PNG EXPRESS: For those who prefer Photoshop, Ron C shared his experience with a plugin called PNG EXPRESS. Designed for both Android and iOS, it allows you to create your design at xxxhdpi and then export it into the required densities.
- Resonator Plugin: Another Photoshop CC plugin, Resonator (mentioned by Evgeny Belyaev), collects design elements from PSDs and exports icons into proper folders for each density. (For more details, visit resonator.cc.)
Online Resources
- Several commenters, including Ryan Hicks, provided additional resources and references such as:
- The Android Screen Fragmentation Myth
- Designer’s Guide to DPI
- And, of course, the official Android Metrics Grids documentation
Balancing Workflow and Consistency
While the technical details (like using a 1× base multiplier for mdpi) are crucial, many designers also emphasize the importance of a smooth workflow. Whether you choose to work from a base resolution of 720×1280 or adopt a system where you design in xxhdpi and scale down, the key is consistency. Automating the export process with plugins or scripts not only saves time but also minimizes errors—a significant advantage when dealing with dozens or even hundreds of assets.
Conclusion
Preparing assets for Android involves both understanding the device density multipliers and choosing the right tools to streamline your workflow. By starting with a clear base (typically mdpi or xxhdpi) and applying standard multipliers (1×, 1.5×, 2×, 3×, 4×), you can ensure your designs look crisp on any device. Whether you leverage Sketch plugins, Photoshop actions, or a combination of both, the goal is to maintain consistency across all densities while minimizing manual effort. As the community has shown, there are multiple valid approaches—find the one that best fits your design process.