These are the slides that I presented at the 2010 Adobe MAX conference. Explore the role of prototyping in designing and developing compelling mobile applications. We'll examine the forms that prototypes can take (from paper prototypes to rich, interactive simulations), their advantages and costs, and how Adobe tools can be used to create them. Then we'll walk through creating a user interface for a mobile application using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash Professional, Flash Catalyst, and Flash Builder. This presentation also covers best practices for UX, as well as developer-focused tips and tricks.

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Creating Compelling Mobile User Experiences:
What You Need to Know
Chris Griffith

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Disclaimer
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These opinions and thoughts are my own,
and may or may not reflect the opinions of
the company that I work for.

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About Me
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Mobile is Everywhere
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 [photo from last year’s MAX before the sneaks with everyone holding up
their devices]
Mobile is Everywhere

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Mobile First

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What is prototype?
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…incomplete versions of the software program being
developed. A prototype typically implements only a
small subset of the features of the eventual program,
and the implementation may be completely different
from that of the eventual product.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_prototyping)

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Technical Prototype

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Prototype Spectrum
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Low Fidelity Prototyping Tools
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Low Fidelity Prototyping
 Quick to develop
 Allows for explorations of ideas
 Can be more difficult to conduct user
studies
 Zero coding!
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Source: http://usereccentric.com/entries/000333.html

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Device Central
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Emulator Device

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Adobe on Android
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Flash Player 10.1 for Android
AIR for Android
Available onothe Android Market
(for selected devices)

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Medium Fidelity Prototyping Tools
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Medium Fidelity Prototyping
 More “real” user experience
 Longer design time
 Longer development time
 Some level of programming
 “Golden Path” / Slideshow
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Fireworks Prototype Demo
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Add a little <meta> to your life
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High Fidelity Prototyping Tools
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High Fidelity Prototyping
 Closer to reality
 Greater design requirements
 More development time
 Can serve as a reference platform for
other groups (Engineering, QA, Marketing)
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Flash Prototyping Demo
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So what can
Prototyping solve?

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Data based on respective products published technical specifications

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Pixels Per Inch (PPI)
Device Resolution PPI Physical
Nexus One/ HTC Incredible/
HTC Desire
800x480 254 3.7’
HTC EVO/ HTC Desire HD 800x480 217 4.3’
Droid/ Droid 2 854x480 265 3.7’
Droid X 854x480 240 4.3’
Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant 800x480 232 4.0’
iPhone 3GS and lower 480x320 163 3.5’
iPhone 4 960x640 326 3.5’
iPad 1024x768 132 9.7’
Galaxy Tab 1024x600 170 7’
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Data based on respective products published technical specifications

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Bitmaps vs. Vectors
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Bitmap Vector

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Touch Targets
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Touch Targets
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Screen Orientation
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Ergonomics
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You are holding it
wrong ;)

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Ergonomics
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How will they touch it?
 One Thumb?
 Two Thumbs?
 Pointer Finger?

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“Hero” – Flex Mobile
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Hero in a Nutshell: Mobile Application Development
Allow developers to create a single mobile project
that will run on multiple mobile environments
 UI components supporting touchscreen
interaction
 Application framework fitted with common
mobile UI patterns
 Interactive performance tuned for mobile
devices
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Prototyping
Pitfalls

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“It is a Fidelity
Trap”

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“Looks Done to me!
Ship IT!”

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Prototyping: A Practitioner's Guide
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Resources
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A few guidelines
for better
mobile experiences…

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Design Tips
 Very short learning curve
 Fast
 Look beautiful
 Entertain the user
 Design In Context
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Layout Tips
 Use screen space efficiently
 Condense information
 Mobilize, don't miniaturize
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Content Tips
 Optimize lists
 Minimize scrolling
 Minimize Typing
 Large hit areas
 Simple images
 Readable text
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Hardware Tips
 Varied screen sizes
 Conform to the platform
 Varied input hardware
 Conserve power
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Q&A

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Contact Me
chris.griffith@gmail.com
Twitter: @chrisgriffith
Blog: http://chrisgriffith.wordpress.com/
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