iOS Media App Development IGME-590-03

Project 2- iOS App of Awesomeness

#0 Overview

Create a useful or entertaining iOS app or game in a team of 2. The app should be "App Store ready" (or nearly so). The target hardware can be iPhone or iPad (or Universal). Previous submissions (in IST) have included:

#1 - Create an Application Definition Statement

An Application Definition Statement is a one or two line statement answering these two questions: What's the app do? and Who is it for?

#2 - Proposal

Using your Application Definition Statement as a starting point, put together the following:

  1. Full list of features - Brainstorm a full list of features that could possibly be implemented by the application. Even though we would never think of building such an App, think "Kitchen sink" or "Word on iPhone" as you are creating your list of features.
  2. Filtered list of features - Distill these features down to only the most essential ones that allow the application to fulfill its Product Definition Statement. Apple's Mantra: Pick the few features, most frequently used, by the majority of your users, most appropriate for the mobile context.
  3. Do a competitive analysis - Discover your competition at least 3 existing iPhone Apps in the App Store that are similar to what you want to create. Also look for one similar Android App in the Android app markets. Read the descriptions in the App store, and download the apps if they’re free. Write a quick review of each App: include its features, user rating, its strengths and weaknesses relative to its competition, and what features you feel its missing.
  4. Iterate - head back to steps A and B - did you leave anything out? Are there features you should add or remove? Update your document.
  5. Sketch out the UI - Describe the UI, and produce some mock-ups. These can be drawn by hand or created in Photoshop or Storyboard it. Tip: The OS X Grab utility can grab some or all of the screen.
  6. Deliverable - Put the above in an HTML document and post it to the web.
  7. Be ready to discuss your idea in class

#3 - Prototype

Getting a prototype up an running as fast as possible is critical.

  1. Put together the primary navigation of the App in Storyboard, and find at least 5 people to try the app on actual hardware. Use the knowledge gained to add critical features, and fix navigation issues.

#4 - Final Deliverable Requirements

  1. Meets the Application Definition Statement - an "A-level" app is a "polished solution to a well defined problem".
  2. A polished User Experience that respects the iOS Mobile HIG, as well as iOS 7 Design Principles:
    1. Clarity - it should be clear what the app does, and people should be able to use it without instruction.
    2. Deference - content is front and center - the UI should fade into the background.
    3. Depth - it should be a vibrant and life-like experience, and people should not get "lost" or be confused about what state the app is in.
  3. Uses Frameworks and/or methods of those frameworks that go well beyond what we've done in class this semester.
  4. Meets course coding standards (see below)

Coding Standards

#5 - Documentation

Grade Rubric

Deductions

Milestones

*** Resources ***

We've just scratched the surface of iOS this semester - you are encouraged to explore other frameworks and capabilities of iOS.