How NOT to start a mobile app development? We've been working on an iPhone application for the weather forcast website Köpönyeg.hu and here's what we've learned along the way.

2. Who am I to tell you what not to do?
Zoltán Hosszú
Graphic designer at Arkon Zrt.

3. 7 don’ts of development

4. #1 Don’t start with the
pretty pixels!

5. #1 - Don’t start with the pretty pixels!
Create (ugly) mockups of your
ideas, to see how they would look
like on the small screen.
Actual mockups of the Köpönyeg iPhone application

6. #2 Don’t try to cram
everything in!

7. #2 - Don’t try to cram everything in!
Look at your product and try to
make sense of it on a mobile device.
The current front page of Köpönyeg.hu:
• Lots of weather related information
• 3200 px tall without banners
• 8 sections

8. #3 Don’t think all of your
ideas are golden!

9. #3 - Don’t think all of your ideas are golden!
Start testing early on, use the
mockups you’ve created for it. You’ll
be surprised with the feedback!
Webcam mounted on an iPhone to record the test subjects.

10. #4 Don’t be afraid to
trash some ideas!

11. #4 - Don’t be afraid to trash some ideas!
Remember, it’s a mobile device, you
can create a lot of new things, but
not all of them will work.
Before After Trashing some ideas and features.

12. #5 Don’t start at the
biggest resolution!

13. #5 - Don’t start at the biggest resolution!
Build your design from the bottom up!
@2x is not the way to start, you’ll end
up with blurry edges on smaller screens.
Use the pixel grid, go for perfection!
Vector shape fitted to the pixel grid perfectly

14. #6 Don’t work with
incompetent developers!

15. #6 - Don’t work with incompetent developers!
If you want to create an application of
great quality, you have to choose a
great team to work with.
Developing for iPhone? One with a
Mac is a good start...
First version of the Köpönyeg application compared
to the design layout.

16. #7 Don’t miss your
deadlines!

17. #7 - Don’t miss your deadlines!
Set up realistic deadlines and do your
best to meet them.
If you miss a deadline hold a
retrospective and try to fix the problems.

18. 7 don’ts of development
#1 - Don’t try to cram everything in!
#2 - Don’t start with the pretty pixels!
#3 - Don’t think all of your ideas are golden!
#4 - Don’t be afraid to trash some ideas!
#5 - Don’t start at the biggest resolution!
#6 - Don’t work with incompetent developers!
#7 - Don’t miss your deadlines!