Research into Design Structures and Colour

It is important for me to analyse pre-existing designs to see what works and what does not work in order to develop a successful interface. Here I will use a variety of sketch/note pad and camera apps to how designers have set out the interface and the functionality of them.

Evernote

Evernote is an app available for smartphones where it helps it's users to store notes, lists, images and keep data organised. It has various features incorporated I have listed some of them below:

•   Users have ability to take notes (these can be organised using tags)

•   Create check/to do lists with deadline dates

•   Share and connect their files with other devices/individuals (social media sites)

•   Allows users to capture photos/video, record voice memos

Overall the app is a rough idea of what I would like to produce as it is a practical device with various multimodal features. These are one of the pre-existing interfaces that I will be taking into account when developing my actual app although due to time constraints it is doubtful that all these features will be implemented. 

The Images below are examples of what the interface looks like here the designer has focused on using familiar image icons instead of text in order to de clatter the layout. I agree with this format, as there will be a greater amount of text implemented by the user once they start developing notes. Another feature I really like is the various forms of inputting data that is incorporated here users do not have to just type they can take pictures which can also serve as a note depending on what it is. 

i.e. Writing about the layout of setting up lighting in a studio is not as effective as taking a picture of the successful attempt and keeping it for future reference. 

         

Spring Pad

Spring Pad is another application that can be used to gather and save information that will then be synchronised to your account. This process allows users to access their saved information either by phone, tablet, computer without the need to transfer files to each form of device. The device provides various features and capabilities; I have listed some below:

•   Ability to record/capture images and videos and comment on each one

•   Create lists (check/to do) with the ability to incorporate alerts and reminders close to the

date in order to not miss or forget anything

•   Widgets can be used as

•   The ability to plan events, holidays etc.

•   It allows users to save URL's as a bookmark just like a laptop therefore you can save  an

article, eBook etc. to read later

•   Users can save lists of new films they would like to watch, once they are available the

app will notify them

I have displayed images again in order to show what the interface looks like, the application is very similar to Evernote as they both have the ability to record and save data using multitude forms of implementation.  

  

Google Keep

Google Keep is another note taking app for android, it has not got as many features as the ones mentioned previously although I must add it is still a successful app. 

• Allow users to note/list/save images within the system
• The ability to record voice memos and notes instead of needing to type 
• Widgets can be combined with notes and/pr used to capture a quick note on the go
• Users have the ability to colours coordinate notes in order to identify or mark important things
• A great feature is that the notes are saved onto the cloud therefore they can be accessed anywhere

Out of the applications I have researched this seems to be the one that reflects the layout of a windows smartphone the most. 

Diagrams

Apart from researching into the various implementations of data I could incorporate it is important that I also focus on the sketch section where users will be able to create diagrams and drawings. 

Lighting Studio

Lighting Studio app focuses on helping a user plan out the lighting in a studio before they actually use it. It has a variety of camera and lighting models to chose and experiment with. 

  

The layout and functionality of this application is ideal as the text representing different equipment is on one menu displayed on a separate page. This de-clatters the diagram interface, as only the function selected is the one displayed. 

Rounding Up

One of the elements I noticed regarding the colour schemes used was that they are all flat looking. They seem to have adapted the interface look of the windows phone where the display is in blocks each colour coordinated to separate categories/sections/functions etc.  The implementation of icons in various sections helps to de-clatter the interface especially when there are multiple functions available. It is vital to have a clear screen in order to make the design and functions user friendly. Another aspect that I took into consideration was that the designers specifically use text in various areas such as a menu page. It is acceptable to use text here as there are no other functions it is merely only for selecting an area or category to use. Looking at the existing designs and interfaces mentioned above it seems that there is a correlation followed by designers. They all seem to follow a neutral background consisting of black/grey and in some cases white. Other colours have been used within the interface but have been kept to a minimal these have mainly been on top headers or sections that represent the apps logo or the logo colour scheme. Some of the more colourful interfaces gives me the impression that it has been used to identify specific categories or sections therefore replacing unnecessary text and/or icons. Due to this trend I will apply a neutral colour scheme to the overall interface, any additional colours will be applied once the production stage occurs but only if it is necessary. Regarding the multimodal aspect of these applications it seems that they all provide a variety to enable users to choose their preferences therefore it is ideal that I also incorporate several but moderately. Now that I have looked and compared various applications it is important for me to finalise what I want to produce. Judging by the user reviews and ratings it is clear that these apps are very popular and widely used therefore I need to define the unique element that will be incorporated into my project. The reason for this is to make my app unique, as there are so many other apps to choose from. 

Sources

Evernote Corporation. 2013. Evernote. [online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.evernote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Evernote Corporation. 2013. Evernote. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.evernote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Evernote Corporation. 2013. Evernote. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.evernote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Evernote Corporation. 2013. Evernote. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.evernote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Evernote Corporation. 2013. Evernote. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.evernote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Jianzhong Li. 2011. Lighting Studio. [online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playlee.android.lightingstudio&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Jianzhong Li. 2011. Lighting Studio. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playlee.android.lightingstudio&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Jianzhong Li. 2011. Lighting Studio. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playlee.android.lightingstudio&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Springpad. 2013. Springpad. [online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.springpad&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Springpad. 2013. Springpad. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.springpad&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Springpad. 2013. Springpad. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.springpad&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Springpad. 2013. Springpad. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.springpad&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Springpad. 2013. Springpad. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.springpad&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Google Inc. 2013. Google Keep. [online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Google Inc. 2013. Google Keep. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Google Inc. 2013. Google Keep. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Google Inc. 2013. Google Keep. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].

Google Inc. 2013. Google Keep. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 14 Oct 2013].