Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Get exclusive access to thought-provoking articles, bonus podcast content, and cutting-edge whitepapers. Become a member of the UX Magazine community today!

Home ›› Design ›› Designing the iPhone User Experience

Designing the iPhone User Experience

by Suzanne Ginsburg
3 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

Info about the new book, including a sample chapter and an opportunity to win a copy.

You can download and preview Chapter 7: “Prototyping App Concepts.” UX Magazine is also running a giveaway for five copies of the book. If you’d like to purchase the book, visit the informIT website. Suzanne and the publisher have generously offered a 35% discount plus free shipping to UX Magazine readers if you use the discount code ‘GINSBURG9435′.

Book coverAny company that claims their product will change my life is greeted with a healthy dose of skepticism. Sure, several purchases have had a significant impact on my life over the years, but only a few were life-changing. My first car gave me the freedom to explore my suburban community without my parents knowing my every move. My first computer meant I didn’t have to hike to the computer lab to work on homework assignments. And having a digital camera meant I could view my photos instantly instead of sending them to a photo lab. But ever since that first digital camera, few products have had a real impact on my life. None of them were even close to life changing. Then the iPhone came along.

My first few weeks with the iPhone were liberating. I’d silently marvel at all of the newfound conveniences: Now I don’t have to go home to check email! Now I don’t have to bring maps anywhere! Now I don’t have to carry a little notebook around! This personal fascination with the device made me want to explore its possibilities from an interaction design perspective, my profession for the last fourteen years. In addition to diving into Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, I started dissecting the user experience of several apps and reviewing them on my blog along with best practices. One of the local iPhone developer meetup organizers took notice and asked me to share my insights at his monthly event. This led to many other events and then the opportunity to write Designing the iPhone User Experience (Pearson Education, 2010).

One of the biggest challenges I faced when writing the book was how to balance user-centered design advice with iPhone-specific advice. I wanted to appeal to UX professionals who didn’t have experience with the iPhone, and developers who had iPhone expertise but limited UX knowledge. In the end, I think both groups will find valuable information and insights: UX professionals will be pleased to find UX methods adapted for the mobile context as well as iPhone best practices, and developers will walk away with a solid foundation in user-centered design. Regardless of your background, after reading this book, you’ll know how to:

  • Conduct upfront user and competitive research to inform your app’s vision statement, also known as the Production Definition Statement.
  • Brainstorm, sketch, and prototype your app concepts. The prototypes covered take many different forms, from simple paper to scripted videos.
  • Refine your app’s user interface and visual design, using best practices based on established design principles.
  • Make your app accessible to individuals with impairments, with specific attention to VoiceOver, the screen-reading software built into the iPhone.
  • Localize your app’s user experience with an emphasis on language, content, and culture.

If you’d like to learn more about the book, you can the table of contents and a sample chapter by following the instructions below. Additionally, all thirteen case studies are available for free download. The case studies were one of my favorite parts of the book since they gave me the opportunity to connect and learn from many talented individuals such as Rusty Mitchell (USA Today), Mark Jardine (Convertbot), and Rob Spiro (Aaardvark).

We hope to have a second edition in the future so your thoughts on improving the book are very welcome. Enjoy the book and good luck with your apps!

You can download and preview Chapter 7: “Prototyping App Concepts.” UX Magazine is also running a giveaway for five copies of the book. If you’d like to purchase the book, visit the informIT website. Suzanne and the publisher have generously offered a 35% discount plus free shipping to UX Magazine readers if you use the discount code ‘GINSBURG9435′.

post authorSuzanne Ginsburg

Suzanne Ginsburg

Suzanne Ginsburg is a user experience consultant based in San Francisco, California, and the author of Designing the iPhone User Experience. She works with many different kinds of organizations, from established technology companies to small iPhone start-ups. Suzanne also maintains a UX blog, Touchy Talk, where she provides advice on touchscreen app design. If you’d like to stay in touch with Suzanne, follow her on Twitter @suzanneginsburg.

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Related Articles

AI is reshaping the role of designers, shifting them from creators to curators. This article explores how AI tools are changing design workflows, allowing designers to focus more on strategy and user experience. Discover how this shift is revolutionizing the design process and the future of creative work.

Article by Andy Budd
The Future of Design: How AI Is Shifting Designers from Makers to Curators
  • This article examines how AI is transforming the role of designers, shifting them from creators to curators.
  • It explores how AI tools are enhancing design processes by automating routine tasks, allowing designers to focus on strategic decision-making and curating user experiences.
  • The piece highlights the growing importance of creativity in managing AI-driven systems and fostering collaboration across teams, ultimately reshaping the future of design work.
Share:The Future of Design: How AI Is Shifting Designers from Makers to Curators
5 min read

Are you overthinking your research process? This article explores how to determine when research is essential and when it might be holding you back. Learn a practical framework to prioritize studies, align with stakeholders, and maximize impact without wasting time or resources. Unlock strategies to focus your efforts on what truly matters.

Article by Carol Rossi
Are You Doing Too Much Research?
  • The article questions the common practice of conducting extensive research, suggesting that not all projects require it. Instead, it highlights the importance of discerning when research is truly necessary.
  • It introduces a framework to prioritize research efforts based on clarity, risk, and cost, ensuring impactful results without unnecessary delays.
  • The author emphasizes the role of stakeholder involvement in the research process, fostering better collaboration and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Practical strategies are provided for tracking and communicating the post-research impact, making the value of research more transparent and measurable.
Share:Are You Doing Too Much Research?
7 min read

Learn how to design and facilitate impactful co-creation sessions that inspire collaboration, spark creativity, and align diverse perspectives for meaningful outcomes.

Article by Aalap Doshi
Designing and Facilitating a Co-Creation Session
  • This article delves into the process of designing and facilitating effective co-creation sessions to foster collaborative innovation.
  • It outlines key steps, including planning, creating a structured agenda, and using tools to engage participants meaningfully.
  • The piece highlights how co-creation sessions can drive creativity, align diverse stakeholders, and generate actionable outcomes for complex challenges.
Share:Designing and Facilitating a Co-Creation Session
3 min read

Join the UX Magazine community!

Stay informed with exclusive content on the intersection of UX, AI agents, and agentic automation—essential reading for future-focused professionals.

Hello!

You're officially a member of the UX Magazine Community.
We're excited to have you with us!

Thank you!

To begin viewing member content, please verify your email.

Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and