THINKS THERE'S A PARALLEL TO DESIGN
POSTED BY DAN YOUNG
Industrial design surrounds us. The objects that surround us in our homes and offices were designed to serve a purpose. These objects were designed to exist in a physical space, to overcome design challenges, serve a function, provide an aesthetic and enhance our lives.
To create these objects, industrial designers follow a process where they explore the purpose of the product. They conduct user research, sketch concepts, analyze comparative products, create models, develop prototypes and test. They work with the business and marketing teams to aid in the commercialization and marketing of a product. They work with the engineers to convert their prototype concepts into a production-ready product.
Mobile applications are physical objects. They are an extension of the devices we carry with us each day. We use our apps in our homes, offices, vehicles and most places our daily lives take us. Thus, when creating an app, a mobile design team must work within the physical environments in which our software will be run.
When we create a mobile app, we follow a process that parallels industrial design. We work with the business and marketing teams to understand the purpose and value of the concept. We study this concept by conducting user research, analyzing competitive products and identify industry trends that touch on the idea. From what we learn, we develop wireframe prototypes for various devices; study user interactions; refine, hone and evolve the prototypes into a production-ready app.
We are not alone in using this process. Many of the world’s top mobile development shops follow design methodologies that borrow from the industrial design process.
Despite the speed at which mobile technology is advancing, having a sound design process ensures that the end product—the app—achieves the business objectives and engages the user, enhancing their experience of their physical world.
