Developing apps
for mobile phones
Lecture outline:
1. Concept development
2. Outlining the app
3. Design considerations and platforms
4. Budget development
5. Programming
6. Graphic design
7. Submission, approval and updates
8. Common pitfalls
Concept development
Identify the purpose of the application (“app”).
What will the app do?
● Specify the minimum functionality. Will the app
perform a specific task and/or deliver information?
● Most apps do one thing and do it well.
● Avoid overly complex functionality.
Example: The “The Plant Doctor” app provides
interactive diagnosis for plant health problems. Users
submit text and photographs to assist the diagnosis.
Identify the intended users of the app.
Who will use the app?
● What is the target audience?
● Is the app free or for payment?
Example: Users of “The Plant Doctor” app include: Farmers,
gardeners, homeowners, landscape professionals, County
Agents, plant quarantine workers, professionals, and
scientists.
Different types of audiences
Children
Adults
Various levels of education
Various levels of expertise
Types of devices: Android versus iPhone
Nationalities: Language, translations
Your app and its design should appeal to and serve your
target audiences: appearance, colors, functions, tasks
Specify the device(s) to which the app will be delivered
● Web app vs Native app
● Phones vs Tablets
● iPhone vs Android
The choices determine the programming language and coding
API
Application
Programming
Interface
Memory and space considerations
App size is limited only by the space available on a device.
There is no recommended size for apps.
Name the app
The app name should accurately reflect
the function of the app.
The app name should be unique, if
possible, and not replicate the names of
other apps.
Outlining a draft of the app
● Create a draft step chart: Identify each thing the app
will do, in a stepwise fashion.
● Create a draft page chart: Sketch and compose the
appearance of various pages.
● Specify the graphics and navigation buttons needed
for the app functions
● Specify the outputs and calls
Design considerations
Design the app for fingers (not for a mouse)
● 44 x 44 pixels for buttons
● 6 buttons maximum per width of screen (smart phone)
TEXT INPUT: People do not like to type, so keep typing at
a minimum
TEXT OUTPUT: People generally do not like to read, so
keep text at a minimum unless your app is designed
primarily to deliver information in text format
Budget development
How much will it cost to develop the app?
1. Personal vs. contract development
2. By hour or by project development. Costs per hour vary
among countries (($15-20) roughly 1500 INR for India:
$50-60 for USA;
$100 for USA technical)
Example: “The Plant Doctor” app development and
deployment cost 80 hours for each platform(iOS and
Android), for a total cost of $9,600.
Programming
Self-programmed versus Contracted programming
(note: people without programming experience should
probably not try to build an app)
Apple (iTunes): programming language = iOS
Google (Android): programming language = Java
Before budget development: Prepare detailed
requirement documents (what the app does). Prepare a
detailed use case document (describe each functionality of
the app)
Graphic design
● Appearance of the app is very important and should be a
high priority, with sufficient budget provided for graphics.
● Graphic design is best done professionally.
One can expect much higher costs for the unique design of
multiple screens.
Considerations in graphics design:
● Colors and color theme (background, buttons)
● Art
● Text (size, color, font)
● Layout
● Balance
● Layering
Before professional design After professional design
Before professional design After professional design
Before professional design After professional design
Submission and approval
The app submission process varies by platform
Apple: checks for no crashes; the app does what is says it
will do; and minimum information content may be needed
Developer accounts:
Apple: Developer’s license = Depends on
year
Google: Developer’s license = Depends on
year
Note: For the for-sale apps, payment to Apple or Google is
30% approx. of your profit. Free apps do not incur this charge.
Google
developer console
(Android)
Google
developer console
(Android)
App description and
download page at the
iTunes store for “The
Plant Doctor” app
Updates for apps may be required as new versions of
phones emerge onto the market.
The new phones may have updated or newer
versions of software which require app updates.
App developers should prepare for this eventuality.
Example: “The Plant Doctor” had to be updated for
use on iPhone 5.
Common pitfalls
1. Do not build an app without having the intended
device nor without having experience using the
device (the environments, menus and appearance
differ among devices)
2. Have a very clear idea of what the app will do
3. Develop the flow of processes clearly and
precisely
4. Ensure that your budget is sufficient to completely
fund the development of the app
Presentation prepared by:
Tushar Sharma, tushar_sharma_bca21@jimsindia.org ,
Jims Rohini
Amit Yadav, amit_yadav_bca21@jimsindia.org,
Jims Rohini
Divyanshu, divyanshu_bca21@jimsindia.org ,
Jims Rohni
