A few years ago I developed an educational board game - an old-fashioned one that was designed to be packaged in an actual, physical box (remember those?). I spent about a year of my free time putting it all together, developing the design and composing about 4000 questions and tasks.
Somehow I got so obsessed with the creation of the game that I failed to ask myself some very basic and vital questions. Only after completing the game did I really sit down and consider such issues as marketing, logistic feasibility, production costs and the like. The result was that the risk was too great for the resources I had at my disposal, especially considering the niche market that the game appealed to. And somehow the energy waned after the creative part of the project was finished. It has been collecting dust in my attic ever since.
The excitement I feel after creating just a simple little "Pet the Cow" app reminds me of how I felt when I started the board game years ago...
I am not a software developer, nor do I have any intentions of striking it rich with mobile apps. Nevertheless, in order to avoid a repeat scenario, it is important for me to address my goals, strengths and weaknesses and to put everything into a realistic framework. That's what my first app design blog post is all about...putting it in perspective.
I would like to do this by presenting a series of dilemmas....
Dilemma #1: I get wrapped up in perfecting the detailed creative aspects of developing and neglect the bigger picture.
This is the problem I ran into with the board game I mentioned above and I was unable, in the end, to share my creation. This begs the question, "What was it all for?" I would like to turn the process around now and first ask myself what the bigger picture is and then work my way down to the details. It is essential to remind myself of the greater function of what I am doing before spending countless hours on nit-picking, however enjoyable I may find it! This will allow me to focus my determination on the things that matter most.
Dilemma #2: I have big ideas but very limited skills.
Big dreams are what give me energy and motivation and that's a wonderful thing. But - I have a habit of quickly biting off more than I can chew and most of the time I end up having to problem-solve in amateurish ways. I would like to keep the spark I feel from big ideas while focusing on smaller, more feasible steps.
Dilemma #3: Digital products are easier to create and produce than most other products but the market is fierce.
The fact of the matter is, the vast majority of apps do not succeed. As I am luckily not concerned with making it big from app development, it makes a lot more sense for me to focus on apps that will support me and my students. If I ever get good enough to develop more complex apps, then I will surely be able to build upon what I have learned in the process.
Dilemma #4: Design sometimes comes more naturally to me than content.
Although good design is imperative, I sometimes get caught up in it and allow content or function to slip into secondary position. They are probably of equal importance for mobile apps.
Dilemma #5: It’s tempting for a developer to focus on what they feel is the best solution rather than what the end user may need or prefer.
It is essential to build an app for the target audience rather than for myself. This is one reason why the following dilemma is so important....
Dilemma #6: I tend to focus on independent work and neglect sharing and collaboration opportunities.
This has (at least) two downsides. First of all, I tend to jump into the development process before doing enough research. I can learn a lot from what is already out there. Secondly, I rob myself of important opportunities for feedback by locking myself in a room until I'm "finished." The positive side is that my self-motivation is almost endless. But I can better channel this positive aspect by seeking out meaningful exchanges with others.
Keeping these issues in check will help me stay focused and make better decisions on how to effectively spend my time. Conserving some of my energy may help me to reserve some for other, less creative steps in the process. I have a strong feeling that this list of dilemmas will grow by the end of the semester! I will no doubt have to remind myself of these points again and again!
So, to make life easier - a short recap:
1. Baby steps...
2. Focus on apps for myself and my students...
3. Step back and review the bigger picture...
4. Remember content and function...
5. Focus on the end user...and...
6. Share, share, share!
Till next week...
Kristie
Somehow I got so obsessed with the creation of the game that I failed to ask myself some very basic and vital questions. Only after completing the game did I really sit down and consider such issues as marketing, logistic feasibility, production costs and the like. The result was that the risk was too great for the resources I had at my disposal, especially considering the niche market that the game appealed to. And somehow the energy waned after the creative part of the project was finished. It has been collecting dust in my attic ever since.
The excitement I feel after creating just a simple little "Pet the Cow" app reminds me of how I felt when I started the board game years ago...
I am not a software developer, nor do I have any intentions of striking it rich with mobile apps. Nevertheless, in order to avoid a repeat scenario, it is important for me to address my goals, strengths and weaknesses and to put everything into a realistic framework. That's what my first app design blog post is all about...putting it in perspective.
I would like to do this by presenting a series of dilemmas....
Dilemma #1: I get wrapped up in perfecting the detailed creative aspects of developing and neglect the bigger picture.
This is the problem I ran into with the board game I mentioned above and I was unable, in the end, to share my creation. This begs the question, "What was it all for?" I would like to turn the process around now and first ask myself what the bigger picture is and then work my way down to the details. It is essential to remind myself of the greater function of what I am doing before spending countless hours on nit-picking, however enjoyable I may find it! This will allow me to focus my determination on the things that matter most.
Dilemma #2: I have big ideas but very limited skills.
Big dreams are what give me energy and motivation and that's a wonderful thing. But - I have a habit of quickly biting off more than I can chew and most of the time I end up having to problem-solve in amateurish ways. I would like to keep the spark I feel from big ideas while focusing on smaller, more feasible steps.
Dilemma #3: Digital products are easier to create and produce than most other products but the market is fierce.
The fact of the matter is, the vast majority of apps do not succeed. As I am luckily not concerned with making it big from app development, it makes a lot more sense for me to focus on apps that will support me and my students. If I ever get good enough to develop more complex apps, then I will surely be able to build upon what I have learned in the process.
Dilemma #4: Design sometimes comes more naturally to me than content.
Although good design is imperative, I sometimes get caught up in it and allow content or function to slip into secondary position. They are probably of equal importance for mobile apps.
Dilemma #5: It’s tempting for a developer to focus on what they feel is the best solution rather than what the end user may need or prefer.
It is essential to build an app for the target audience rather than for myself. This is one reason why the following dilemma is so important....
Dilemma #6: I tend to focus on independent work and neglect sharing and collaboration opportunities.
This has (at least) two downsides. First of all, I tend to jump into the development process before doing enough research. I can learn a lot from what is already out there. Secondly, I rob myself of important opportunities for feedback by locking myself in a room until I'm "finished." The positive side is that my self-motivation is almost endless. But I can better channel this positive aspect by seeking out meaningful exchanges with others.
Keeping these issues in check will help me stay focused and make better decisions on how to effectively spend my time. Conserving some of my energy may help me to reserve some for other, less creative steps in the process. I have a strong feeling that this list of dilemmas will grow by the end of the semester! I will no doubt have to remind myself of these points again and again!
So, to make life easier - a short recap:
1. Baby steps...
2. Focus on apps for myself and my students...
3. Step back and review the bigger picture...
4. Remember content and function...
5. Focus on the end user...and...
6. Share, share, share!
Till next week...
Kristie