There is no way in the world that iPhone apps development can succeed if they are not engaging enough. The 'engagement value' of a particular app is determined by the process of iphone app design and iphone application development as well as iPhone game development. If it is not a product of clear thinking, it will end up a failure and results in an iPhone app that won't be engaging enough.
Here are a few tips that can help create iPhone apps that are not only engaging, but also very effective.
1. Design to capture attention:
All mobile apps, whether they are for the iPhone, BlackBerry or any other device are never used in a picture perfect environment. There are always distractions that fight for the attention of the mobile users. So, the interactive nature of the app must be designed accordingly. You can't design the app by keeping a certain location, situation, or environment in mind. It needs to be designed by keeping the distractions in mind. Its visuals must be such that they immediately grab the attention of target users. The funny thing is that in most cases, mobile apps are used to provide a distraction. So, your design must be able to "distract" a user for a sufficient period of time.
2. Design Mental Consistency:
The iPhone has a smaller screen size. So, you can't expect mobile app users to be able to view and use a particular mobile app, the way they use an app on a desktop or a laptop. The smaller screen size demands a certain consistency in the app infrastructure, especially, when it comes to its animation, game play and a coherent topology in general. This helps you offer users a consistent mental model, which is both effective, easy to understand and one whose use can be optimized.
3. Design for your Target:
Do you know who your people are, meaning do you know your target audience? This means that you need to do a whole lot more than just identify a target audience. You need to know what your target audience wants. This is not as easy as you think. But, if you are able to clearly identify their needs and demands and the levels of engagement that they require from their iPhone apps, you will be able to give them an enriching app with very high levels of user engagement. Your app needs to be able to integrate certain features that hold your audience captive. This isn't possible if you don't know who your people are.
4. Your app must get stuff done:
Whether iPhone apps or BlackBerry apps or some other apps, they must be able get work done. They must be able to achieve their pre-determined purpose and ensure that they meet all client requirements to the letter. When it comes to mobile apps, what people are keen on, more than anything else, is to get their work done quickly and in a manner that is fun and engaging. For this to happen, your app should be so easy to use that users are able to operate it without any instructions at all. This also improves the engagement quotient of the app.
Here are a few tips that can help create iPhone apps that are not only engaging, but also very effective.
1. Design to capture attention:
All mobile apps, whether they are for the iPhone, BlackBerry or any other device are never used in a picture perfect environment. There are always distractions that fight for the attention of the mobile users. So, the interactive nature of the app must be designed accordingly. You can't design the app by keeping a certain location, situation, or environment in mind. It needs to be designed by keeping the distractions in mind. Its visuals must be such that they immediately grab the attention of target users. The funny thing is that in most cases, mobile apps are used to provide a distraction. So, your design must be able to "distract" a user for a sufficient period of time.
2. Design Mental Consistency:
The iPhone has a smaller screen size. So, you can't expect mobile app users to be able to view and use a particular mobile app, the way they use an app on a desktop or a laptop. The smaller screen size demands a certain consistency in the app infrastructure, especially, when it comes to its animation, game play and a coherent topology in general. This helps you offer users a consistent mental model, which is both effective, easy to understand and one whose use can be optimized.
3. Design for your Target:
Do you know who your people are, meaning do you know your target audience? This means that you need to do a whole lot more than just identify a target audience. You need to know what your target audience wants. This is not as easy as you think. But, if you are able to clearly identify their needs and demands and the levels of engagement that they require from their iPhone apps, you will be able to give them an enriching app with very high levels of user engagement. Your app needs to be able to integrate certain features that hold your audience captive. This isn't possible if you don't know who your people are.
4. Your app must get stuff done:
Whether iPhone apps or BlackBerry apps or some other apps, they must be able get work done. They must be able to achieve their pre-determined purpose and ensure that they meet all client requirements to the letter. When it comes to mobile apps, what people are keen on, more than anything else, is to get their work done quickly and in a manner that is fun and engaging. For this to happen, your app should be so easy to use that users are able to operate it without any instructions at all. This also improves the engagement quotient of the app.
