The concept of developing an app can be a daunting place to be. Where does one start? Do you need to understand a programming language, how will I design it, will it sell, how much will this cost me – all of these and many more enter the minds of everyone beginning a path into a mobile app development.
This may be a corporate project you’d like to present to your boss or a startup business in which this app IS your business. How do you get started with your idea to get it to a point where you could communicate your idea and approach a mobile software developer to receive an estimate.
Future Help Designs outlined some basic principles to 150 attendees at MobileMonday Detroit’s Meetup group at Compuware on January 9, 2012. The presentation topic was “Going Mobile: From Idea, to Development, to Final Outcome” and included a presentation by Christian Marcillo, CEO of Future Help Designs and Creative Director as well as an incredible panel discussion by local mobile development companies.
At Future Help Designs we have been creating apps for three years and offer services such as mobile software development, mobile development strategy, and mobile software design.
Our approach outlines communicating your idea, determining what platforms you wish to release to, and a potential roadmap of features you’d like to grow into. A good starting point is with design. Review the Human Interface Guidelines by Apple to get a good understanding of what mobile design should consider. Once you can draw your concept on as simple as a napkin you have the ability to begin communicating your idea.
Your idea should include some basic drawings of some screen layouts, a list of features you’d like your users to be able to do, any existing ideas such as a website or similar apps. Additionally plan for growth. Determine what metrics you’d like to measure such as number of downloads and installations, average usage time, and many more.
When you’re ready to approach a developer be prepared to consider who is on your team and what you will need that developer to do. Are there graphic designers or marketing people involved in the project, or potentially a backend service that will need to be created or is already existing. What does the development relationship look like and who will be communicating with who.
These are all starting points to consider to get your idea to paper in preparation to approach a development corporation.
To find out more on how Future Help Designs can help you with your app development project and other services offered at Future Help Designs, please visit our website http://FutureHelpDesigns.com.
If you are a developer and want to know the technical side of iPhone® development please register to attend our Developer Workshop.
To attend the next upcoming MobileMonday Detroit meetup please RSVP here.
