designing for android

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  • fourth

    Ok, please forgive me if this is a stupid question, but what can I expect when designing for android? I had a client say "great you do mobile" and ask for a quote for helping him do a simple android app. The closest thing I do is responsive sites so I know how to use html/css and seriously never even thought about designing for apps. And yes I know I'm stepping on the UI peoples toes.

    I know that android has a bunch of different screen sizes and the weird mdpi? I have no idea how I should price it, how long it'll take, or if I should even take the job. But it is a skill I wouldn't mind having. thoughts? thanks and be nice please :)

    fourth
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  • fourth0

    and also to be clear I wouldn't be doing any coding, just the graphics

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    Dogear
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    • d_rek0

      UI design for mobile and touch devices can be vastly different than websites for desktop / 960gs sites.

      Having a deep understanding of touch-interface principles, NUI, human-interaction, etc. plays a significant role in UI design for touch devices, along with having a deep understanding of that particular devices native UI and UX paradigms.

      Android is particularly fragmented unlike iOS because you have so many different versions of Android running on so many different devices by so many different manufacturers who all run their native device OS / GUI / crap on top of Android.

      BUT good touch-interface design is good touch interface, and generally translates well to the majority of android / ios devices.

      Not sure I would use a paying client project to get your feet wet with UI / UX design for android / touch devices. Just my two cents.

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      Dogear
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      • d_rek0

        The design process for app / touch UI design isn't that much different than websites:

        1. Research audience, end-user needs and habits
        2. develop UX maps / charts to help improve / define app workflow based on end-user needs
        3. wireframe UI screens based off your UX maps
        4. skin wireframes using design language appropriate to your audience / brand
        5. have developer translate artwork into functioning app
        6. test like a motherfuckers

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        Dogear
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        • that's the process in a nutshelld_rek
        • you'll find a bunch of firms that add a bunch of spin to the same basic processd_rek
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      • fourth0

        thanks d_rek.

        I was honest about why what I do is different. He likes my work, he develops the app and I would be there mostly to "skin it" basically as he basically says his design stinks. So I'm thinking this would be a decent way to get my feet wet as long as I'm completely honest about my capability? And price it similarly to designing a mobile site with 3-4 different layouts?

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        Dogear
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        • fuck it, why not? That's how most people did itmonospaced
        • I even skinned an app once, didn't know shit about what I was doing, it came out finemonospaced
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      • Irafis0

        http://developer.android.com/des…
        http://tinyurl.com/luh9p9h

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        Dogear
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      • ********
        0

        If you're just doing the design it sounds like a good opportunity to work with him, ask exactly how he needs it and learn that way.... no?

        ********
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        Dogear
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