Week 7 Reading

Summary:
This week's reading is courtesy of Apple's iOS reference library. "Human Interface Guidelines" introduces some guiding principles to help designers create an app that will provide the best user experience by utilizing the technology available to the iPhone and iPad's proprietary operating system. It begins by stating that great iOS apps "embrace the platform", namely, utilizing the visual style as well as the functionality the operating system is used for. This can include taking advantage of swipes and other touch-centric interaction methods. It continues by stating that clear definitions are essential to strong app design, stressing the importance of first deciding what features you intend to deliver, and who to market them to. Next, it states that a great user experience is "rooted in your attention to detail". Following this guideline means that all aspects of the app should be designed with the user experience in mind, down to the smallest detail. It then espouses the acquired wisdom that people "expect to find iOS technologies in the apps they use". Technologies like VoiceOver, it states, are expected by users to automatically be in every app they use, but actually may take work on the part of the designers and programmers to implement. The reference concludes by stating that all apps must include custom artwork of some sort, even if it's simply for the icon used in the App Store and on the home screen. It suggests reading further guidelines to know exactly what the requirements for artwork are.

Links:
http://appdevmanual.com/
A site selling a book about iPhone app design, including a supplementary blog about the subject.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/11/how-to-create-your-first-iphone-application/
A helpful step-by-step guide to creating an iPhone application, from conception to marketing the finished product.

http://www.webmonkey.com/2008/07/how_to_write_an_iphone_app/
Programmer-centric article that briefly explains what is necessary to create an app and have it accepted to the App Store.