App Design Lessons
Current Assignments
Final Project
Assignment
Rubric
Boise State
Glyndwr University
Clarkson University
Tufts University
Syracuse University
Winthrop University
University of Michigan
Webby Awards Project
Assignment
Mobile Game History Questions
Chapter 1
Assignment
Mobile Game Design Questions
Assignment
Input Systems
Article
Assignment
User Interface Project
Website
Day 1 Document - 1st Hour
Day 1 Document - 3rd Hour
Final Project Directions
Android SDK Philosophy Scavenger Hunt (FRIDAY DUE IN DROPBOX BY END OF HOUR)
Website
Assignment
Question Set 4
Article
Assignment
Project - No-Code App Creator
Assignment
Options/Ideas: appmakr.com, yapp.us
Question Set 3
Article
Assignment
Java Questions
Website: Programmed Lessons - Java
Assignment: Questions
Question Set 2
Article: Read this article
Assignment: answer these questions
Question Set 1
Article: read this article
Assignment: questions
Assignment
Rubric
Boise State
Glyndwr University
Clarkson University
Tufts University
Syracuse University
Winthrop University
University of Michigan
Webby Awards Project
Assignment
Mobile Game History Questions
Chapter 1
Assignment
Mobile Game Design Questions
Assignment
Input Systems
Article
Assignment
User Interface Project
Website
Day 1 Document - 1st Hour
Day 1 Document - 3rd Hour
Final Project Directions
Android SDK Philosophy Scavenger Hunt (FRIDAY DUE IN DROPBOX BY END OF HOUR)
Website
Assignment
Question Set 4
Article
Assignment
Project - No-Code App Creator
Assignment
Options/Ideas: appmakr.com, yapp.us
Question Set 3
Article
Assignment
Java Questions
Website: Programmed Lessons - Java
Assignment: Questions
Question Set 2
Article: Read this article
Assignment: answer these questions
Question Set 1
Article: read this article
Assignment: questions
PowerPoints
Week 16
Monday 6-9-14
Read the article, "The 13 best free Android apps" and pick out 5 of the 13 that interest you the most. Once you find the 5 best, download them onto the Tablet and tinker with them. Finally, give a review of them.
-Name
-Description/Features
-Personal Review
Week 15
Monday 6-2-14
Read the article about the 8 biggest logo designs of 2014
KnwKBased off of what we previously read about logos and colors, break down each one of the 8 logos and their changes/updates and explain what each design/color says about the logos.
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Just for fun...
Can you recognize world famous landmarks from indoors? Check out this Article
Take test on famous landmarks and see how many you recognize. This utilizes Googles Indoor Maps. Once complete take a screen shot of your best score.
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Tuesday 6-3-14
Technology 101 Project
Monday 6-9-14
Read the article, "The 13 best free Android apps" and pick out 5 of the 13 that interest you the most. Once you find the 5 best, download them onto the Tablet and tinker with them. Finally, give a review of them.
-Name
-Description/Features
-Personal Review
Week 15
Monday 6-2-14
Read the article about the 8 biggest logo designs of 2014
KnwKBased off of what we previously read about logos and colors, break down each one of the 8 logos and their changes/updates and explain what each design/color says about the logos.
---------
Just for fun...
Can you recognize world famous landmarks from indoors? Check out this Article
Take test on famous landmarks and see how many you recognize. This utilizes Googles Indoor Maps. Once complete take a screen shot of your best score.
----
Tuesday 6-3-14
Technology 101 Project
Week 14
Wednesday 5-28-14
Read the following article about how to name an app and take notes on it.
When finished, on the same Word document, describe an app you would like to create and come up with a name for it following the criteria in this article. Put into Dropbox when finished.
Article
or This Article
Friday 5-30-14
Read the two following articles and take notes on them.
Logo Design- Tips from the pros
What do different colors in a logo mean? Find out here.
---------
Wednesday 5-28-14
Read the following article about how to name an app and take notes on it.
When finished, on the same Word document, describe an app you would like to create and come up with a name for it following the criteria in this article. Put into Dropbox when finished.
Article
or This Article
Friday 5-30-14
Read the two following articles and take notes on them.
Logo Design- Tips from the pros
What do different colors in a logo mean? Find out here.
---------
Week 13
Final Project
Assignment
Rubric
Universities with App Design Specializations
Boise State
Glyndwr University
Clarkson University
Tufts University
Syracuse University
Winthrop University
University of Michigan
Final Project
Assignment
Rubric
Universities with App Design Specializations
Boise State
Glyndwr University
Clarkson University
Tufts University
Syracuse University
Winthrop University
University of Michigan
Week 12
Monday- Finish the 10 new apps project based off the article from Digital Trends.
Submit to DropBox when completed.
Wednesday- Driven to Distraction -Don't crash!
On your tablet, search for all the different apps that are out there that have to do with distracted driving (texting, talking, simulations, etc.)
-Assignment- Pick 3 apps that you found most useful and describe how they work.
Detext is an example of an app that shuts off texting while driving.
Sprint Drive First is another app out there for the android and Sprint customers
Thursday- Finish and submit the 3 distracted driving apps assignment.
Read the following article and give your thoughts on it.
Soda App?
Read Awesome Tech You Can't Buy Yet
Pick the one item in here that interests you most and explain why.
Put both articles responses on same Word document.
Submit to DropBox when completed.
Wednesday- Driven to Distraction -Don't crash!
On your tablet, search for all the different apps that are out there that have to do with distracted driving (texting, talking, simulations, etc.)
-Assignment- Pick 3 apps that you found most useful and describe how they work.
Detext is an example of an app that shuts off texting while driving.
Sprint Drive First is another app out there for the android and Sprint customers
Thursday- Finish and submit the 3 distracted driving apps assignment.
Read the following article and give your thoughts on it.
Soda App?
Read Awesome Tech You Can't Buy Yet
Pick the one item in here that interests you most and explain why.
Put both articles responses on same Word document.
Week 11
Monday - You will complete a "Scavenger Hunt/Question Set" on Android UI and developing apps that go along with Android's philosophy. The Question Set can be located here. Please use this website to locate the answers. Once completed submit to Dropbox.
Tuesday- Hand out Tablets and complete the following assignment:
Input Systems
Article - Read the article first
Assignment - Follow the directions and download the games on your tablet. Answer the questions that follow.
Wednesday- Check out the article below from Digital Trends. It lists the 126 best and newest Apps for the Android. Browse the Apps and find ones that you are unfamiliar with, but possibly interested in and download onto your tablet. DON'T CHOOSE AN APP THAT YOU ALREADY USE. Experiment with an App on your tablet and give your thoughts about it.
You will need to choose 10 new Apps and write about them.
On a Word document answer the following:
-Identify the name of the App
-Explain the purpose of the App
-List THREE Pros to the App
-List THREE Cons to the App
126 Best Android Tablet Apps (New for Spring 2014)
_____________________________
-We will set up the Android ADT (similar to Eclipse Classic but used to program Android Apps). You can download the ADT here. The Android Developer Tools is a kit that we will have to set up together in class.
-This week, we will set up the Android SDK. Please follow along closely.
We will also create our first app for the tablet - it will be a very very basic app but you will get a feel for how it's done.
When we're finished with that, you will understand how the level of Java knowledge you have can significantly impact the quality of the app you create - the more you know, the better the app.
Tuesday- Hand out Tablets and complete the following assignment:
Input Systems
Article - Read the article first
Assignment - Follow the directions and download the games on your tablet. Answer the questions that follow.
Wednesday- Check out the article below from Digital Trends. It lists the 126 best and newest Apps for the Android. Browse the Apps and find ones that you are unfamiliar with, but possibly interested in and download onto your tablet. DON'T CHOOSE AN APP THAT YOU ALREADY USE. Experiment with an App on your tablet and give your thoughts about it.
You will need to choose 10 new Apps and write about them.
On a Word document answer the following:
-Identify the name of the App
-Explain the purpose of the App
-List THREE Pros to the App
-List THREE Cons to the App
126 Best Android Tablet Apps (New for Spring 2014)
_____________________________
-We will set up the Android ADT (similar to Eclipse Classic but used to program Android Apps). You can download the ADT here. The Android Developer Tools is a kit that we will have to set up together in class.
-This week, we will set up the Android SDK. Please follow along closely.
We will also create our first app for the tablet - it will be a very very basic app but you will get a feel for how it's done.
When we're finished with that, you will understand how the level of Java knowledge you have can significantly impact the quality of the app you create - the more you know, the better the app.
Week 10
Read the following article and answer the questions below. Each one has a set of 5 questions. Once completed, put into Dropbox.
Chapter 1
Questions
Chapter 1 Questions (Pt 1)
Chapter 1 Questions (Pt 2)
-------
Tetris marathon-Play one of the most popular games, which can be played on more platforms than any other game. See what the highest score you can achieve. Take a screenshot of your points.
Guinness World Records has recognised the game as being the most ported in the history of video gaming, appearing on in excess of 65 different platforms by 2011.
Chapter 1
Questions
Chapter 1 Questions (Pt 1)
Chapter 1 Questions (Pt 2)
-------
Tetris marathon-Play one of the most popular games, which can be played on more platforms than any other game. See what the highest score you can achieve. Take a screenshot of your points.
Guinness World Records has recognised the game as being the most ported in the history of video gaming, appearing on in excess of 65 different platforms by 2011.
Week 9
Learnstreet.com
Continue completing the assignments.
-Assignments 1-3
-Assignments 4-8
-Blackjack Game
-Bank Teller
-Calculator/ Hangman
-Conversion Tools/Happy Numbers
-Income Tax Calculator/ Seven Segment
-Snakes and Ladders/ Strings Function
-Validation/Zellers Congruence
Continue completing the assignments.
-Assignments 1-3
-Assignments 4-8
-Blackjack Game
-Bank Teller
-Calculator/ Hangman
-Conversion Tools/Happy Numbers
-Income Tax Calculator/ Seven Segment
-Snakes and Ladders/ Strings Function
-Validation/Zellers Congruence
Week 8
This week we are going to begin looking at Java to begin building our knowledge base of the language. This will assist us in creating apps.
Make sure you uploaded a screenshot of your codeavengers.com Lesson 1 and submitted it to Dropbox.
Thursday 3-20-14
We will continue looking at Java by working off of Learnstreet.com for the rest of the week.
Use the following link to sign in and get started:
http://www.learnstreet.com/student/join/xRhDM4io
Make sure you uploaded a screenshot of your codeavengers.com Lesson 1 and submitted it to Dropbox.
Thursday 3-20-14
We will continue looking at Java by working off of Learnstreet.com for the rest of the week.
Use the following link to sign in and get started:
http://www.learnstreet.com/student/join/xRhDM4io
Week 6 & 7
Monday 3/3/14
Read this article- "The Killer App Design", which will get you thinking about an idea for an app to create. After reading, answer these questions. When you're done, upload the questions to Dropbox saved as "Killer App Design".
----------
Thursday 3/6/14
We will start viewing different no-code app creators online. Some examples are the following:
appmakr.com, yapp.us
Game creator site:
flowlab.io
Now we will start working on a project based on a no-code app creator. Click here for assignment. The app created will be similar in nature to the app you came up with in Monday's assignment about your personal app. You will get to see the front end of an app being created, and then we will eventually go behind the scenes.
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WEEK 7
Wednesday 3/12/14
This week we are going to begin looking at Java to begin building our knowledge base of the language. This will assist us in creating apps.
Go to codeavengers.com for a review of JavaScript.
Sign up and create a username, scroll to the bottom, and find the section JavaScript. Start with Level 1. Make sure you sign in so it can track your progress. At the end it will tally up your points which you will submit for a grade by taking a screenshot.
Read this article- "The Killer App Design", which will get you thinking about an idea for an app to create. After reading, answer these questions. When you're done, upload the questions to Dropbox saved as "Killer App Design".
----------
Thursday 3/6/14
We will start viewing different no-code app creators online. Some examples are the following:
appmakr.com, yapp.us
Game creator site:
flowlab.io
Now we will start working on a project based on a no-code app creator. Click here for assignment. The app created will be similar in nature to the app you came up with in Monday's assignment about your personal app. You will get to see the front end of an app being created, and then we will eventually go behind the scenes.
-------
WEEK 7
Wednesday 3/12/14
This week we are going to begin looking at Java to begin building our knowledge base of the language. This will assist us in creating apps.
Go to codeavengers.com for a review of JavaScript.
Sign up and create a username, scroll to the bottom, and find the section JavaScript. Start with Level 1. Make sure you sign in so it can track your progress. At the end it will tally up your points which you will submit for a grade by taking a screenshot.
Week 5
Tuesday 2/25/14- You will use this website: Programmed Lessons - Java
Read through Chapters 3 & 4. At the end of each chapter take the 10 question quiz. When finished with each quiz, take a screenshot of your score, save it, and upload it to Dropbox
AFTER TUESDAY YOU SHOULD HAVE QUIZZES COMPLETED FOR CHAPTERS 1-4 WITH A SCREENSHOT OF EACH IN YOUR DROPBOX. CREATE A NEW FOLDER NAMED QUIZZES AND PUT THOSE 4 SCREENSHOTS OF YOUR QUIZ GRADES IN THERE.
Wednesday 2/26/14
Once finished with the quizzes, complete the following:
Directions: Work through Chapters 1 - 4 while you answer the questions attached in the Word Document.
DOWNLOAD THE QUESTIONS HERE.
Friday 2/29/14
Read the two articles below. Compare them and breakdown what are tips to use and tips to avoid when designing an app. Type these up on one Word document as two separate paragraphs. Do not just cut and paste. This will be due on Friday. Upload your response to Dropbox when complete. Save it as "Articles Comparison".
10 App Design Mistakes
10 Things to do When Designing App
Completed for this week:
*Infographic- Top Apps by Category
*Ch. 1-4 Quizzes Screenshots
*Ch. 1-4 Study Guide
*Articles Comparison (Two Paragraphs)
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We will get to know our Nexus 7 tablets.
Read through Chapters 3 & 4. At the end of each chapter take the 10 question quiz. When finished with each quiz, take a screenshot of your score, save it, and upload it to Dropbox
AFTER TUESDAY YOU SHOULD HAVE QUIZZES COMPLETED FOR CHAPTERS 1-4 WITH A SCREENSHOT OF EACH IN YOUR DROPBOX. CREATE A NEW FOLDER NAMED QUIZZES AND PUT THOSE 4 SCREENSHOTS OF YOUR QUIZ GRADES IN THERE.
Wednesday 2/26/14
Once finished with the quizzes, complete the following:
Directions: Work through Chapters 1 - 4 while you answer the questions attached in the Word Document.
DOWNLOAD THE QUESTIONS HERE.
Friday 2/29/14
Read the two articles below. Compare them and breakdown what are tips to use and tips to avoid when designing an app. Type these up on one Word document as two separate paragraphs. Do not just cut and paste. This will be due on Friday. Upload your response to Dropbox when complete. Save it as "Articles Comparison".
10 App Design Mistakes
10 Things to do When Designing App
Completed for this week:
*Infographic- Top Apps by Category
*Ch. 1-4 Quizzes Screenshots
*Ch. 1-4 Study Guide
*Articles Comparison (Two Paragraphs)
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We will get to know our Nexus 7 tablets.
Week 4
Wednesday 2/19/14:
Open and view the two links below about the top 10 apps for each store.
Top 10 Apps
Google Play
iTunes
Open the link below and review the directions:
Top App by Category Infographic Assignment
------------------
FRIDAY 2/21/14:
As we begin to look at the Java programming language, you'll need some basic knowledge when it comes to computers. Some of it is VERY basic, but as you move through there is a lot to learn.
You will use this website: Programmed Lessons-Java
Directions: Read through Chapters 1 & 2. At the end of each chapter take the 10 question quiz. When finished with each quiz, take a screenshot of your score, save it, and upload it to Dropbox
-----------------------
Then, open up the Game Salad program on your computer (it was installed on your computer yesterday) and start reading the Windows Manual (taken from their website). It's important that as you're reading you're also looking at the Game Salad program and see what you can do!
Week 3
Take a look at the projects posted under the "Blog" tab under "Infographic Submission". Comment on 5 different posts about the various features. This shouldn't be, "I liked your poster". It should be a well thought out comment on the what you found interesting about the person's poster, answers to the questions, etc. Include areas that you disagree with on your own project - do they have the same information as you? Is it different? What's different? Write a thoughtful comment on 5 different entries.
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When you're done, read the TWO following articles about the App Flappy Birds. On a blank word document write a paragraph response as to why developer Nguyen would decide to pull his hit game from App Stores. How much money will he lose by doing so? What's your reaction to this decision? If you were to create a successful app, do you think you would ever pull the plug on it like he did? Explain.
Flappy Birds- The Verge Article
Flappy Birds- Digital Trends Article
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Wednesday- read this article. Then, answer these questions. You will have to create a new Word document to answer these questions.
THURSDAY:
Read this article about deciding between iOS and Android platforms when creating your app. Finally, answer these questions. When you're done, upload the questions to Dropbox.
Week 2
After finishing the App Design Pretest, compile a list of the top 5 Apps that you have downloaded, used, or seen. Next to each one explain where you downloaded the app and what makes each app special. Also, explain a downside that you have found to each app. Put the price for each app down as well, if applicable. Do this on a word document and submit to Dropbox when completed.
Do you know the two major app stores that the two major mobile operating systems use? As you view the two stores below don't forget that they are "typically" run on a phone or tablet, and aren't optimized for web browsing (or are they?)
Google Play
Apple iTunes
Assignment:
You are going to make an infographic of the differences and similarities of the Google Play and Apple iTunes stores. What's an infographic, you ask? It's a visual representation of information, data or knowledge intended to represent complex information quickly (see examples below). Okay, so yours probably won't look that pretty (but I have high hopes, people!)
I HIGHLY suggest going to Smore Pages, signing up for an account, and creating a BEA-U-TIFUL poster/page on the similarities and differences between the Google Play and Apple iTunes stores. You will *probably* have to go to other sources -ahem Google- to find some of the information you are looking for. If you don't want to sign up for an account at Smore, you can use whatever tools you want to create this. It's due Friday (at the end of the hour - see Calendar for details), and we will take a look at all the projects next Monday & Tuesday.
Areas to discuss:
Finished? Submit your work the following ways:
Infographic Examples:
Do you know the two major app stores that the two major mobile operating systems use? As you view the two stores below don't forget that they are "typically" run on a phone or tablet, and aren't optimized for web browsing (or are they?)
Google Play
Apple iTunes
Assignment:
You are going to make an infographic of the differences and similarities of the Google Play and Apple iTunes stores. What's an infographic, you ask? It's a visual representation of information, data or knowledge intended to represent complex information quickly (see examples below). Okay, so yours probably won't look that pretty (but I have high hopes, people!)
I HIGHLY suggest going to Smore Pages, signing up for an account, and creating a BEA-U-TIFUL poster/page on the similarities and differences between the Google Play and Apple iTunes stores. You will *probably* have to go to other sources -ahem Google- to find some of the information you are looking for. If you don't want to sign up for an account at Smore, you can use whatever tools you want to create this. It's due Friday (at the end of the hour - see Calendar for details), and we will take a look at all the projects next Monday & Tuesday.
Areas to discuss:
- Areas of focus within the store - what does Apple put more emphasis on compared to what Google focuses on in regard to apps? For example, does one focus on movies/music more than the other?
- Price Points of apps - what's the difference - who is generally more expensive when it comes to paid apps?
- Layout of store on both mobile device and online (don't have one or the other? you should probably Google screenshots, or pair up with a buddy that has the opposite OS - operating system)
- Which app store is easier to access? Are there steps you need to take to access each app store? Walk us through them - be specific.
- App availability - Is there a favorite app of yours that isn't on the other OS? What is it and why do you like it so much? Be as detailed as possible.
- Who has more apps? What kind of quality does each store have when it comes to apps? What is your personal (professional) opinion of each store's apps? NOTE: At this point, you should have an opinion about both stores and the offered apps.
- What's the approval process of submitting an app to each store? Which one is more likely to have less bugs in their apps? What is the cost to submit an app?
Finished? Submit your work the following ways:
- Smore Page - Copy the URL from the page into the Blog Post called "Infographic Submission". Be sure to include your name so it can be graded accordingly.
- Different Infographic Creation - Submit to Dropbox.
Infographic Examples:
Week 1
Comparison Study
Look at the following areas of Path: the visuals, the interactions, the performance.
Discuss how Dustin Mierau has developed the visuals, the interactions and the performance of Path, and what you think about each. Compare these words to actual places in the app.
Use my Nexus 7 to look at the app, or you can download the app on your phone. Feel free to delete when we are done with this assignment.
This assignment will be uploaded to Dropbox.
Discuss how Dustin Mierau has developed the visuals, the interactions and the performance of Path, and what you think about each. Compare these words to actual places in the app.
Use my Nexus 7 to look at the app, or you can download the app on your phone. Feel free to delete when we are done with this assignment.
This assignment will be uploaded to Dropbox.
Introduction
Read the following quote and write a comment about it under the Blog tab on the left. Make sure to make an argument about what he is talking about (read the blog post for further instructions). If you don't know what a dot matrix printer is.. you should really Google it!
"An app without design is like a good story printed on a dot matrix printer." - Dustin Mierau
Then, read the article here.