Designing for Context
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The document discusses the importance of context in mobile application design, distinguishing between 'big C' context (user's environment and value derived from activities) and 'little c' context (physical, media, and modal aspects). It outlines strategies for developing mobile apps, emphasizing user-centered design, context awareness, and simplifying user experience while adopting a tailored approach to different mobile platforms. Additionally, it categorizes mobile applications into various types based on medium and context, highlighting the unique considerations necessary for effective mobile strategy.
Designing for Context
- 1. Mobile Context and Strategies Ivano Malavolta ivano.malavolta@univaq.it http://www.di.univaq.it/malavolta
- 2. Roadmap • Designing for Context • Developing a Mobile Strategy • Types of Mobile Applications
- 3. from the previous lecture…
- 4. Designing for the Context
- 5. Two kinds of context Context with a big “C” VS context with a little “c”
- 6. Context VS context by example • The app works in a specific context depending on the current location of the user • The app gives Context by providing additional info
- 7. Context VS context by example Context who is here? VS context where I am Context answers users’ questions VS https://foursquare.com context is a fact
- 8. Context with a big “C” How users will derive value from something they are currently doing For example: • info on restaurants • rate places • GPS navigator http://www.oink.com
- 9. Context with a big “C” The information provided by the app gives Context A better understanding of what this moment in time means to the user Recurrent targets: people, places, things, situations, ideas
- 10. context with a little “c” The mode, medium and environment in which we perform our tasks There are 3 different types of context: 1. Physical context 2. Media context 3. Modal context
- 11. context with a little “c” Physical context where I am http://bit.ly/wXGpNA http://bit.ly/yoBk7d
- 12. context with a little “c” Physical context In which environment I am • at home • on a bus car • in the streets VS • in my office train • in a shop http://www.textndrive.com http://www.whatsapp.com
- 13. context with a little “c” Media context The device I am using • Connectivity • Screen size • Camera • etc … http://www.facebook.com
- 14. context with a little “c” Modal context My present state of mind what I am doing right now How I feel right now http://www.runens.com http://photostatsapp.com/ http://babypad.mezmedia.com
- 15. …again on “big C” VS “little c” I only care I only care about… about… Context context user Developer (you)
- 16. …again on “big C” VS “little c” Your users do not care about physicality, media, or modes… They simply care about the app perceived value: Context
- 17. …again on “big C” VS “little c” Good Design means making the context transparent to the user We have to create apps that anticipate and solve problems with little or no action from the user
- 18. The Mobile golden rule If you can unlock the state of mind of your users and start context, thinking in their context understanding how a mobile experience will add value to their lives you will have the lives, ever-elusive… KILLER APP
- 19. How can I apply the golden rule? Think of your app in the different contexts • Who is your user? Business man, teenager, mum… • What is happening? Are they hanging out with friends? • When will he interact? @home? @work? waiting for the bus? interact? • Where is he? Public/private space, inside/outside, day/night • Why will he use your app? How do you give Context? • How is he using his mobile device? Is the device held in the hand? Portrait or landscape?
- 23. Roadmap • Designing for Context • Developing a Mobile Strategy • Types of Mobile Applications
- 24. Developing a Mobile Strategy Mobile Strategy = how much it will cost you to develope your app? How much time time? How much effort effort? How much money money?
- 25. Busting the first myth Mobile design and development is not cheap! cheap! http://www.slideshare.net/fling/native-v-hybrid-v-web
- 26. Busting the first myth http://www.slideshare.net/fling/native-v-hybrid-v-web
- 27. Busting the first myth You have to sum this price for each platform you want to support Even with Phonegap! http://www.slideshare.net/fling/native-v-hybrid-v-web
- 28. The new rules for a mobile strategy Remember, mobile is a new medium different rules Don’t try to follow “traditional rules” since mobile has its own peculiarities: • context, • location, user mood • device fragmentation • unique UI rules • ...
- 29. Rule #1 Forget what you think you know Mobile is an ever-evolving area today you are already outdated • Forget what you think you know about mobile – It is most likely incorrect • Don’t try to emulate other projects – Focus on what is right for your user, not what is right for someone else’s user • Start at the beginning – Provide new perspectives, and breathe life into the project right from the start
- 30. Rule #2 Believe what you see, not what you read • Don’t trust any report, fact, or figure that 1-2 years old – It is most likely wrong • Go to your users and ask them questions in person – Don’t try to simply validate your ideas • Record everything – Your own users’ worlds will help you in focussing on their need • Don’t forget to innovate – Try new things, be bold, and don’t be afraid to fail. • Have a contingency plan – If your plan fails to meet expectations, try to reuse what you’ve learned or done on something else
- 31. Rule #3 Constraints never come first • Avoid talking about constraints at an early-stage brainstorming session – Refer back to Rule #1 and forget what you think you know • there will always be constraints in mobile, accept it! • Focus on strategy first, what they user needs, and lay down the features – Then, if the constraints become an issue, fall back to the user goals • There is always an alternative
- 32. Rule #4 Focus on context, goals and needs needs user goals actions context
- 33. Rule #4 Focus on context, goals and needs 1. Defining the users’ context is the first thing to do – without it, you don’t have a mobile strategy, you have only a plan of action 2. Uncover the users’ goals – and then try and understand how the users’ context alters their goals 3. With goals understood, figure out the tasks the users want to perform 4. Look for ways to filter content by context – for example: location, media, and model.
- 34. Rule #5 You can’t support everything • Don’t try to support everything – Start with the devices that best represent your core customer • The most popular might not always be the best device for your project • Check your server logs for the devices accessing your site – These are the first devices to target • Go to a mobile phones store and do a little market research to find out the recommended devices for your target customer
- 35. Rule #6 Don’t convert, create Great mobile products are created, never ported! • Understand your user and his context – Having an idea of how and when users will access your content will aid in understanding how to best create a tailored mobile experience • Mobile is a unique medium
- 36. Rule #6 - example
- 37. Rule #7 Keep it simple People want to use mobile devices in a simple way • Simplicity fewer problems • Easier to iterate and evolve your app • Don’t try to create a desktop software on a mobile! • Adding feature after feature is an easy trap to fall in • Build the experience around your users’ main need and nothing else
- 38. Roadmap • Designing for Context • Developing a Mobile Strategy • Types of Mobile Applications – Mobile Application Medium Type – Mobile Application Context
- 39. Types of Mobile Applications In the following we will talk about: • Mobile Application Medium Types – the technology presenting the content to the user • ex. SMS, native app, web app … • Mobile Application Context – the type of experience provided to the user • ex. utility, informative, productivity …
- 40. Mobile app medium types The technology presenting the content to the user SMS Mobile Websites Mobile Web Widgets Mobile Web Apps Native Apps Games
- 41. Mobile app medium types: SMS The user sends an SMS to a 5-digit code and then he can get: • textual information • a link to premium content • a service Most common use: ringtones and wallpapers http://smstweet.com/
- 42. Mobile app medium types: SMS PROS • they work on any mobile device nearly instantaneously • useful for sending timely alerts to the user • they can be incorporated into any web or mobile app • simple to set up and manage CONS • limited to 160 characters • limited text-based experience • can be very expensive
- 43. Mobile app medium types: Mobile Websites A website designed for Mobile devices It is NOT about viewing on a mobile device a website designed for desktop browsers Features: – Simple architecture – Simple navigation links – Simple design – Informational in nature (typically, less interactive)
- 44. Mobile app medium types: Mobile Websites PROS • easy to create, maintain, and publish • you can use the same tools and techniques for desktop sites • nearly all mobile devices can view mobile websites CONS • devices fragmentation • limited experience • they can load pages slowly – network latency
- 45. Mobile app medium types: Web Widget Small web apps that cannot run by themselves, they must run on top of “something else” Known also as: portlet, web part, gadget, badge, module, webjit, capsule, snippet, mini, flake For example, Android has supported widgets natively since April 30, 2009 http://bit.ly/yNvwEd
- 46. Mobile app medium types: Web Widget PROS • easy to create using basic HTML, CSS, JavaScript • simple to deploy across multiple handsets • They can directly access device features and offline use CONS • typically require a compatible widget platform to be installed on the device • require learning additional proprietary, non-standard techniques
- 47. Mobile app medium types: Web App Mobile apps that run on the mobile web browser developed using standard technologies ex. HTML, CSS, Javascript Differently from mobile websites, they offer an “app-like” experience ex. buttons, actions, real-time data, no pages metaphor http://touch.facebook.com
- 48. Mobile app medium types: Web App PROS • easy to create using basic HTML, CSS and JavaScript • simple to deploy across multiple handsets • better user experience and rich design • content is accessible on any mobile web browser CONS • difficult to support across multiple devices. • they don’t always support native application features – offline mode, location, filesystem access, camera …
- 49. Mobile app medium types: Native Apps Developed for a specific platform Certified, sold and distributed via an operator portal or an app store It sits on top of the device platform you can access all the device’s features need for certification http://www.glancee.com/
- 50. Mobile app medium types: Native Apps PROS • best-in-class user experience, rich design and tapping into device features and offline use • relatively simple to develop for a single platform • access to app stores (you can charge for your apps) CONS • developing for multiple device platforms is costly • require certification and distribution from an app store • you have to share revenue with platform vendors
- 51. Mobile app medium types: Games Technically they are like native apps, however: • they cannot be esasily developed with web technologies – performance with vector graphics • porting them to multiple platforms is a bit easier – the graphic engine does not use device APIs www.angrybirds.com
- 52. Mobile app medium types: Games PROS • simple and easy way to create an immersive experience • can be ported to multiple devices relatively easily CONS • can be costly to develop as an original game title • cannot easily be ported to the mobile web www.angrybirds.com
- 53. Mobile app medium types: summary
- 54. Roadmap • Designing for Context • Developing a Mobile Strategy • Types of Mobile Applications – Mobile Application Medium Type – Mobile Application Context
- 55. Mobile App Context The type of experience provided to the user Utility Locale Informative Productivity Immersive
- 56. Mobile App Context Applications can be presented in different ways es. taks-based utility, immersive experience, etc… • Typically, it is best to choose one app context and present it to the user don’t mix app contexts! contexts! • TIP: if you really need to switch context within your app, let the user choose when to switch
- 57. Mobile App Context: Utility task- • short, task-based scenarios • minimal information from the user • minimal design ex. calculator alarm clock weather forecast
- 58. Mobile App Context: Locale • it provides info about “what’s around” • recurrent feature: a map on which data is displayed • goal of the user: to find additional info about his present location ex. find friends around find pubs around get route directions https://foursquare.com
- 59. Mobile App Context: Informative • Goal: to provide information to the user • Task of the user: to read and understand – not necessarily to interact • remember that user tasks are short and can be interrupted ex. news online directory mobile commerce https://www.pinterest.com
- 60. Mobile App Context: Productivity • Meant to increase user’s sense of efficiency • Users have a clear goal in mind • Very structured (with folders) – it gives a sense of order • Follow a clear workflow ex. mail, scanning, todo lists… TIP: TIP focus on the main task only, and only after start adding other features http://www.thegrizzlylabs.com/genius-scan/
- 61. Mobile App Context: Immersive • immersive, full-screen app full- • meant to consume the user’s focus user’s ex. games media players entertainment TIP: TIP you can use it as alternative to other app contexts http://www.rockstargames.com/grandtheftauto3
- 62. Mobile App Context: Summary