UX & UI: The unsung heroes of App Development #AppdevChat Summary

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     This week on AppDevChat we hosted Q Manning, the CEO at Rocksauce Studios, to discuss the unsung heroes of App Development Ux & UI. Below are a few of the tweets and feedback from todays chat.

     Q has been a leader in the tech industry over the last 15 years. With his expertise in film making, design, and management you could say he is the swiss army knife of the tech world. The purpose behind Rocksauce Studios was to assemble a team of incredible designers who would only produce beautiful and functional products. From taking a look at the studios site, you can tell they lead by example. Be sure to check out their Facebook and Twitter page.

 

1. What is your definition of User Experience?

  • User experience (UX) is the art of creating how an app functions, it's features, and its interaction points for users.
  • Accurately matching the users expectations on a massiv number of things including functionality, performance UI. – @TusNuaDesigns
  • Interaction design has become a crucial part of UX, along with user interface. - @mappmechanic

​2. What is your definition of User Interface?

  • User interface is the actual graphic design & visual styling of the elements. It's the visual artwork and personality.
  • What keeps the user wanting to come back as well as keeping them using the app. - @_NateBerg
  • The UI defines the UX. The consistency, simplicity, and flow of the UI directly affects the end UX. - @TylerConlee
  • Visual design including icons, typography, layout, and color scheme is important for UI design. - @mappmechanic

​3.  Can UX/UI be designed by the same person successfully?

  • Absolutely – UX/UI and even the dev can all be done by the same person. However the person needs to understand both UI and UX very well. 
  • Can it? Absolutely. Should it? Probably not in an ideal situation. Having seperate UX/UI engineers are best, but not always possible to find. - @TusNuaDesigns
  • Collaboration is unbelievably important in app making. Otherwise, one team makes changes without understanding the whole concept and idea.
  • If the designer understands the needs of a programmer and vice versa then yes. - @playpublic_com

​4. For the person doing UX/UI, is a competitive analysis necessary?

  • Necessary? No. Really useful? Absolutely. Teams need to know what the competition and the market expects in a certain category.
  • To some extent, yes. You should always know what makes your competitors successful, but also make your own work unique – @TylerConlee
  • Definitely, analysis will show good, bad, ugly implementations of ideas, and often provide inspiration. - @TusNuaDesigns
  • Without analysis you are more likely to make the same mistakes that your competitors have made. - @TusNuaDesigns

​5.  How does the competitive analysis tie into UX/UI inspiration?

  • Competitive analysis shows you what features people expect from a type of app, the ways goals are accomplished and what they do wrong.​
  • Analysis helps you see what other features developers have used in that space. This could potentially dispel a useless, expensive feature that doesn't help the app.
  • You can improve upon already great UI/UX. I.e., take what a competitor did and make is even better. - @IndieGameGirl
  • As with over-design/under-design, competitive analysis can assist with both over-engineering and under-engineering decisions. - @TusNuaDesigns

​6. How do you like to research current trends for UX/UI?

  • Spend a lot of time in the app stores, play with everything new coming out.
  • I like to look at the top downloaded/most successful apps and beautiful websites. - @IndieGameGirl
  • A common search we do is "best css web gallery" which will open Google up to dozens of great sites which will inspire. 
  • Do research on UX designs blogs and follow the work of popular designers. - @mappmechanic

​If you want to learn more about RockSauce Studios, then head over to their site and don't forget to follow them on Twitter.

Join us every Thursday at 10am PST for #Appdevchat. Use Tweetchat to follow along.

 

UX & UI: The unsung heroes of App Development #AppDevChat

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    This week on Appdevchat we are joined by Q Manning, the CEO of Rocksauce Studios. We are glad he was able to join us to discuss the unsung heroes of App Development a.k.a. UX & UI.

    It says a lot about your company when your CEO is also your Creative Director. Q draws from his expertise in design, film making, and management, honed after 15 years as a leader in the technology industry. His purpose in founding Rocksauce Studios was to build a team of amazing designers who would make sure every project, that comes from our doors, as beautiful & functional as possible. Be sure to follow Rocksauce Studios on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Questions:

1. What is your definition of User Experience?

2. What is your definition of User Interface?

3. Can UX/UI be designed by the same person successfully?

4. For the person doing UX/UI is a competitive analysis necessary? 

5. How does the competitive analysis tie into UX/UI inspiration?

6. How do you like to research current trends for UX/UI?

 

Join us for #appdevchat on Thursday May 16th at 10am PST and make sure to use Tweetchat

 

 

 

The Importance of Graphic Design with Ian Garstang #Appdevchat Summary

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This week on AppDevChat we had guest host Ian Garstang, to discuss why graphic deisgn is so important. Below are some of the great tweets and feedback from todays chat.

Ian is a video game blogger, graphic designer, and runs a graphic shop that offers low cost vector graphics to use in indie games. With having worked on over 50 custom indie games, Ian's knowledge and experience in this space is impressive to say the least. Be sure to check out his blog and follow him on Twitter

​​​​​1. Do you think graphics are important in indie games?

  • Graphics are the first thing that makes the impression on the user before he/she acutally plays. – @mappmechanic​​​
  •  ​With the nature of todays appstores and app discovery, graphics are the only leverage you have to initially entice users. – @TheCodeBender
  • Braid and Journey are good examples of indie games with great graphics. 

​2. What indie titles do you think use simple graphic design most effectively and why?

  • Limbo is great as it does away with details and just uses silhouettes which is now used in many more games.
  • Games like Fez uses simple 'looking' graphics but the 3D rotation then sets it apart.
  • Spelunky, DLC Quest, and FLT: Faster than Light all mix functionality and artwork very well.

​3. For those developers who struggle with creating graphics, what tools do you suggest?

  • Adobe suite for 2D, autodesk 3D, and studio max 3D. – @playpublic_com
  • Look at as many forums as you can, Stencyl, Gamesalad, Unity, Corona, Gamemaker, and Construct 2 are all great.
  • Freelancers-net and Fiver-com is a good place to look for deisgners with a reasonable rate.
  • If you cannot do the graphics yourself, find a designer who shows interest in your product, the more they seem interested the better.

4. Where do you look for inspiration when creating game graphics?

  • Depending on the game idea, but our team looks at games they love, and games they're playing. – @rocksaucestudios
  • I love Dribble, Behance, and Deviant Art for inspiration.
  • Movies i.e. "Indie Game: The Movie".
  • Themeforest has beautiful design inspiration. – @IndieGameGirl

​5. Does selling graphics mean that all games will look the same?

  • No, good graphics doesn't mean that they look mainstream. Tons of developers invest huge amount of hours to get their own look. – @STINGOUT
  • Graphics like boxes, platforms, coins, stars and explosions tend to be pretty generic.
  • Many developers who purchase my graphics tend to mix up their style and my graphics to create their own look and feel.

​6. What games are you working on at the moment?

  • Super Drop Zone, Depp Space Dookie 
  • Super Skele Massacre – @Wy477Wh173
  • STINGOUT – @STINGOUT

 

​If your interested in learning more about the importance of graphic deisgn, connect with Ian over Twitter and become a subscriber to his blog.

Join us every Thursday at 10am PST for #Appdevchat. Use Tweetchat to follow the conversation

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Austin Church Returns Part II – What eCPMs should you expect?

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In the second half of Austin Church's appearance on Tap Your App he discusses app monetization in great detail. We discuss how to navigate different ad networks out there, which ones pay on time, and which ones don't. We discuss using your Plist to create a mediation tool to test between ad networks. We discuss failovers and fill rates as well as what kind of eCPMS to expect from different types of games. 

 

0:00  Monetize
1:04 Mobclix isn't paying on time – very problematic for app businesses
2:03  Be careful who you partner with on Monetization
3:56 Use the pList to create a monetization layer to test multiple networks
35:03 Insight into ad networks innerworkings from Eric
7:04 Tap for Tap is Unique
8:04 Fail over and Fill Rate – Make sure there is always stock on the shelves for the customer
9:14 Why do some apps make higher ecpms than others?
12:00 Austin talks turkey about what eCPM rates to expect for interstitials/banners in the US
13:34 What is an interstitial and where should you place them? After startup, between levels, return to front
15:39 Don't burn your users with ads. Is your app just a digital billboard? create real content to keep them coming back
16:04 Apps vs Digital billboards
16:59 What is "return to front" and how does it relate to interstitials
18:04 Create games people love instead of cheap throw aways that are just built to get you to download more apps
19:44 Customers look gift horses in the mouth
20:26 Give customers multiple ways to pay you. Remove ads, power ups, different  backgrounds/characters
23:04 How Viva Stampede and Match 3 in general, works

The Importance of Graphic Design with Ian Garstang #AppDevChat

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     This week on Appdevchat we are joined by Ian Garstang from Debug Design. We are pleased to have him this week to explain the importance of graphics, and what tools successful indie developers are using today.

     Ian is a man of many talents, he is a video game blogger and graphic designer for budding game developers. If you have not heard of his blog, take a look. He covers everything from new technology in gaming to developer interviews. As I said, man of many talents, Ian has a graphic shop which offers low cost vector graphics to use in indie games. Recognize names like Dragon Fire: Una's Quest's, and Terrorballs? Well these are some of Ian's personal apps available on the store.

Don't forget to follow him on Twitter.

Questions

1. Do you think graphics are important in indie games?

2. What indie titles do you think use simple graphic design most effectively and why?

3. For those developers who struggle creating graphics, what tools do you suggest?

4. Where do you look for inspiration when creating game graphics?

5. Doesn't selling graphics mean that all games will look the same?

6.What games are you working on at the moment?

Join us for #appdevchat on Thursday May 9th at 10am PST and make sure to use Tweetchat.

The Ins and Outs of PR with Indie Game Girl #AppDevChat Summary

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#appdevchat This week on AppDevChat we had guest host Indie Game Girl a.k.a. Emmy Jonassen, to discuss the tips on PR. Below are just a few of the great responses and feedback from today’s chat.

Emmy is a marketing professional who has 9 years of experience under her belt. She has worked at advertising agencies and tech firms that specialize in the game marketing area. Follow her on Twitter and take a look at her blog here.

 

1. What criteria should you use to find and select publications to pitch your app to?

  • Make lists of publications to get everything organized.
  • Having a large enough budget for a press release will free up a lot of time and hassle. (Gamasutra)
  • Collect stats on traffic, circulation, social media etc. Try to collect editors’/writers’ contact info and twitter handles as well.

2. What is the best way to connect with editors/writers at these publications (i.e., phone, email, etc.) and why?

  • Don’t be nervous of using the phone. We live in a web based world, picking up the phone and dialing a writer will go a long way.
  • Try developing a relationship with writers before you pitch. Follow them on multiple social media channels and share some of there previous articles.
  • Trade shows are an excellent opportunity to engage press. Reach out and schedule appointments
  • Try using short grabbing sentences in a intro with a engaging subject line. Then list key benefits as bullets.

3. What marketing materials should you have ready and available for editors/writers?

  • Definitely videos, press release’s, screens, and landing pages should be ready and available.
  • Have a great description, links to where to install the app/play the game.
  • To get ahead of the game, package everything together in a kit and or deck, and have them available on your site.

4. How important is a trailer/teaser video when reaching out to publications and why?

  • A good 30 second video will do wonders to provide compelling content for writers to post. If you can’t say it in 30 seconds, then you need to redo it.
  • Video’s naturally do better at explaining apps and getting people excited than text or static messages.

5. What elements make a good trailer/teaser video?

  • Grabbing intro, good app footage, strong call to action, and clear explanation of key benefit (i.e., why should they buy, or install the product)
  • Indie Game Girl suggested watching this trailer. It is a long trailer but it can get away with it because it makes you want to watch by being super engaging.

6. Does the relationship between you and an editor/writer end after that person does or does not write an article about your app? How do you continue the relationship?

  • Never, you worked so hard to get a response back, don’t let it die. A good tip is to send the editor/writer links to articles that you think they will enjoy, also make a effort to share and comment on their personal articles.
  • Do not get discouraged if they responded and decided not to cover your app. They might cover something else of yours down the road. Never risk burning your bridges.
  • Always try and send a personal thank you note, writers rarely receive or expect them. Hand written is even better.

If you want to learn more about great tips on PR, connect with Emmy over Twitter and become a subscriber to her blog.

Join us every Thursday at 10am PST for #Appdevchat. Use Tweetchat to follow the conversation.

 

 

 

 

The Ins and Outs of PR with Indie Game Girl #AppDevChat

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Indie Game Girl

This week on Appdevchat we are joined by Emmy Jonassen a.k.a. Indie Game Girl. We are fortunate to have her here this week to discuss important tips and information on PR.

Emmy is a returning guest, some of you may have already checked out her blog. If not, take a peek at Indie Game Girl. Emmy’s site helps indies overcome marketing challenges that keep so many quality games from becoming successful. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Check out her previous interview on Tap your App here.

 

Questions

1. What criteria should you use to find and select publications to pitch your app to?

2. What is the best way to connect with editors/writers at these publications (i.e., phone, email, etc.) and why?

3. What marketing materials should you have ready and available for editors/writers?

4. How important is a trailer/teaser video when reaching out to publications and why?

5. What elements make a good trailer/teaser video?

6. Does the relationship between you and an editor/writer end after that person does or does not write an article about your app?

7. How do you continue the relationship?

Join us for #appdevchat on Thursday May 2nd at 10am PST and make sure to use TweetChat.

Austin Church Returns! Part 1 – The Art of In App Purchases

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Today Austin Church makes his long awaited return to Tap Your App. This 2 part interview starts with a recap of Austin’s biggest successes and moves into a discussion of why he decided to get into the game space. We talk a lot about the mentality it takes to be a successful app entrepreneur and how you have to view your app properties as a herd of milk cows or a series of investments in digital real estate. We talk a lot about IAP and how to make sure that the process is as friction free as possible. It’s always a good time when Austin and I chat so don’t miss a minute of this information filled discussion.

 

1:07 Catching up with Austin Church
1:39 Kicktastic – Advice for Entrepreneurs
2:29 Austin’s Apps – Mustache Bash, Sound Board, Viva Stampede
3:04 Find free assets for apps
3:24 Re-skin apps rather than build from scratch
4:08 Apps as investments – Diversify!
4:19 Austin’s Celiac app project – project managing for another party
5:29 Keywords becoming more and more important to owning a vertical
5:54 MetalShed.com and owning a keyword
6:39 Building sustainable apps that don’t fizzle in a month
7:18 Transitioning into games – Why?
8:09 Half of in app purchases are $9.99 and up
9:04 There is no competition in the app store!
10:24 App Store = free market research
11:19 Crowd Sourcing vs Crowd Surfing – lol
12:24 Your idea isn’t original…and it doesn’t have to be!
12:59 Version 1 of your app is the “sacrificial lamb.” Don’t sweat it
14:04 Don’t worry about being perfect out of the gate
15:49 IAP monetization – Must give to get. First one’s free mentality
16:34 Match 3 Style Games – Viva Stampede
16:54 Swap source code for apps. Austin traded source code for Mustache Bash to get Match 3 free
18:14 How much did Viva Stampede cost to build? $650
19:53 How are IAP going with Viva Stampede – Not Good!
21:14 What did you learn about IAP – Friction free – Don’t make em’ walk a mile to get popcorn
21:29 Mobile apps are a platform for impulse purchases
23:29 Austin explains his strategy to improve IAP Conversion %
26:04 You are not your target market.
27:42 Austin’s in the black with all his apps
28:44 Create a herd of milk cows with your apps
30:04 View your apps as rental properties or digital real estate

#Appdevchat with Guest Host Peach Pellen

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Join us for #Appdevchat this Thursday April 25th at 10am. We’ll be discussing Cross Platform Development and Monetization Advice with guest host Peach Pellen of Lanica.

Peach Pellen is an experienced mobile app developer who has worked with a number of different SDKs. She is a keen evangelist and has run Techority, a website devoted to resources for beginner to advanced developers, since 2010.

In addition to developing her own applications for iOS and Android, Peach also writes a monthly column for App Developer Magazine.

Previously, Peach worked with Carlos at Ansca Mobile as the head of developer relations, providing support to users, writing tutorials and conducting regular webinars and more.

Check out her website and follow her on twitter 

Questions

What are some hurdles you face with cross platform development?
Which ad providers have you tried, which do you prefer?
iOS or Android, which store is it easier to gain success on?
What do you use as test units for iOS?
What do you use for test units for Android?
Which model do you prefer, freemium, ad supported or outright?
What Ad units have you seen the most success with (banner, interstitial, app wall) ?

What’s it like working with Lanica?

What’s it like working with Carlos Icaza?

Join us every Thursday at 10am PST for #Appdevchat. Make sure to use Tweetchat to follow the conversation. 

What’s the Best Way to Spend your $1000 App Marketing Budget? David Janner Answers!

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Today David Janner come on the show to talk about his experience in the app space, working with some of the top guys in the space. Janner is an aspiring app entrepreneur who has founded and publishes Make App Magazine. When it comes to building an app business, David has distilled the best tips from Carter Thomas, Pere Torrence and Chad Mureta as well as adding his own thoughts. He dishes on what he thinks is the best way to spend your marketing budget, which is: make your apps cross-platform and reap the natural, organic benefits of each with optimal ASO practices. It’s a great interview. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Check out David’s great article on App Store Optimization: http://makeappmag.com/how-choose-keywords-apple-app-store-seo/

Check out David’s MAKE APP Magazine on iTunes: http://makeappmag.com/go

David mentions Carter Thomas in the interview. Check out Blue Cloud Solutions http://bluecloudsolutions.com

David refers to this article when he’s talking about Revenue Models: IAP vs Ads http://build.developereconomics.com/which-apps-make-more-money-app-monetization-insight-from-our-developer-economics-2013-report/

Time Signatures

01:11 David Janner Bio

01:21 Harsh reality about success in the app game

02:59 Success IS possible!

03:46 Key takeaway from Carter Thomas: Diversify!
04:24 Success by 100 little wins
04:54 Chad Mureta’s philosophy boiled down
05:34 App success like cricket success: keep the wins ticking along
06:49 Subscription payment model vs. ads. Mixed payment models
08:30 Newsstand opportunity update
10:04 Where the best app communities live: Google Plus, Facebook, iPhonedevSDK, Touch Arcade.
11:22 What app platform opportunity excites you most? iPhone vs Android vs Windows

11:43 Key takeaway from Pere Torrents

13:11 Why develop for Blackberry?

13:59 Developing for multiple platforms natively
14:54 Big fish in a little pond, capitalize on trends
15:45 The Gangam Style mistake: Skin rather than making from scratch
16:44 What’s the best way to spend your $1000 on app marketing?
Spend your time and money, taking your apps cross-platform
18:13 Localize your App Store presence – Janner’s best tip for ASO
19:30 Android vs iOS – App Store Optimization
21:39 David Janner’s favorite app – Clash of Clans