How to further style apps built using AWS App Studio

Question

Hi!  I'm a first-time user of AWS and am interested in building a full stack web app.  I was shocked by the prices quoted on Upwork to build the app, and happened to discover AWS App Studio, which I thought might short circuit the process entirely.

However, while I'm finding that iterating on the app requirements using the AWS App Studio AI interface is *super* helpful in comprehensively documenting all the app's use cases and requirements, it's not clear to me **where the app will sit and be edited/styled once in production**.

I'd like the multi-tenant dashboard of my web app to be beautifully styled, yet I perceive that an app built using the AWS App Studio is very basic/limited in aesthetically beautiful design, **is that a valid concern**?

To expand further, I've researched how to build a full stack web app on AWS, and it looks like I should use AWS Amplify to set up backend services (such as authentication, storage, and APIs) and React for UI.  I want sleek, responsive, and modern design.  I have the *impression* that building a full stack web app in this "old" way in AWS would better allow me to style the UI, as I have the impression the "new" way to build an app using AWS App Studio is certainly fantastic for the backend services setup, but is limiting when it comes to front end UI.

Am I off-base?  Are my concerns true (at least at the moment until the tech advances further) or am I plain wrong?  Thanks for straightening me out!

re:Post Agent · Answer

Your concerns about the styling limitations of apps built using AWS App Studio are valid, but it's important to understand the current state and purpose of this service.

AWS App Studio is currently in preview and is designed to quickly generate and prototype applications using AI. While it's excellent for rapidly creating functional apps with basic UI components, it may not provide the level of customization and styling options you're looking for in a production-ready, beautifully designed web application.

The apps generated by App Studio include pages and components that serve as building blocks for the user interface. These components represent visual elements like tables, forms, and buttons. However, the focus is more on functionality than advanced aesthetics.

For a sleek, responsive, and modern design, your approach of using AWS Amplify for backend services and React for UI is a solid choice. This method gives you full control over the front-end design and allows you to create a highly customized user interface.

That said, App Studio can still be valuable in your development process. You can use it to:

1. Quickly prototype and iterate on your app's requirements and structure.
2. Generate a comprehensive set of use cases and data models.
3. Set up basic backend services and automations.

After using App Studio for initial prototyping and backend setup, you could then take the generated structure and requirements as a blueprint to build a more customized front-end using React or another framework of your choice.

In summary, while AWS App Studio is powerful for rapid prototyping and backend setup, it may not currently offer the level of front-end customization you're seeking for a production-ready, aesthetically pleasing web app. Combining the strengths of App Studio for backend and prototyping with custom front-end development using React and AWS Amplify could give you the best of both worlds - rapid development and full design control.  
**Sources**  
[Tutorial: Generate an app using AI - AWS App Studio](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/appstudio/latest/userguide/getting-started-tutorial-ai.html)  
[Building your app's user interface with pages and components - AWS App Studio](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/appstudio/latest/userguide/pages-components-ux.html)  
[How AWS App Studio works - AWS App Studio](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/appstudio/latest/userguide/how-it-works.html)

How to further style apps built using AWS App Studio

Add your answer

Relevant content