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Prototyping iPhone apps on paper with POP

309 pointsby scottmagdaleinover 12 years ago

39 comments

justjimmyover 12 years ago
Idea suggestion:<p>Freely distribute a PDF that has unique border patterns so when people use/print it out and use that paper, and proceed to take a photo, the program can detect the borders and auto zoom in/out so you end up with a nicely fitted screen shot on the phone. Then users never worry about getting the heigh/width ratio right or bother with the cropping step. And you get to plaster your branding all over the desk of those that uses it :)
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josefrescoover 12 years ago
This concept is novel because it replaces the need to "design" the app in a separate piece of software (and learn yet another UI). Although I like Balsamiq sometimes sketching is quicker, and more convenient. I think ideally having both options would be good as sometimes the urge to sketch an idea arises, but normally I would use the software.<p>Also<p>Idea: They should sell app mockup paper/pads as a side business.
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scrumperover 12 years ago
Well done, this is great.<p>So much more sense to use an existing layer on the tech stack (paper &#38; pencil) rather than inventing yet another way of putting black lines on a white background.<p>Nothing to stop you sketching out your menus (and other repeating fragments) on smaller pieces of paper and collaging them together either.
modartsover 12 years ago
Here's an off the wall idea that i'm not sure is even technically feasible, but:<p>How about a way to "OCR" the drawn interface in a way that the software is able to parse the elements out (buttons, toolbars, swatches, etc.) maybe using the iOS HIG and other contextual clues. The output would be a xib file, ready to iterate on.
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AmVessover 12 years ago
Recursive skeuomorphism.<p>I love it.
jcoderover 12 years ago
This is great!<p>Why is it free?<p><i>UPDATE</i> Ah: <a href="http://jiwo.in/pop-web/plans.html" rel="nofollow">http://jiwo.in/pop-web/plans.html</a>
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Void_over 12 years ago
My whole visit on this website I spent looking for the resulting prototype I could play with. If the product of your app is something interactive, why not show it off?
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ninetaxover 12 years ago
Woah, that is awesome! This is a pretty ingenious idea. Literally anyone who can sketch an idea, can prototype an app, and unlike other prototyping tools, there are no pre-built pieces to choose from, so the sky's the limit.
earless1over 12 years ago
I know this is probably a stupid question, but what are you using for the videos on the site. I like they way they are just in their without controls or anything.
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antonymeover 12 years ago
I love this idea very much - mainly because I had virtually the same idea maybe 5 years ago. I was frustrated with existing prototyping/design systems and getting bogged down in details and pixels instead of thinking about the 'big picture' and the workflow (which IMHO is far more important, especially at the early stage).<p>I had a manual process whereby I would draw all my prototype UIs in pencil on large sheets of paper, then use an A3 scanner to import them into a slideshow. The cumbersome part was creating hot-clickable areas to jump between screens. But it worked a treat, and enabled very fast turnaround of ideas.<p>I think workflow (or UX if you like) does not get enough attention in the early design phases, where people seem to like producing pixel-perfect mockups in Photoshop. The problem with this is that it takes you a very long way down a particular path, when you don't even know for sure if that is the correct way to go.<p>Photoshop mockups are time-consuming and expensive to make compared to rough sketching on paper. This app looks like a great solution in this space.
thomover 12 years ago
Googling implies this is coming to the web:<p><a href="http://jiwo.in/pop-web/plans.html" rel="nofollow">http://jiwo.in/pop-web/plans.html</a>
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matthugginsover 12 years ago
Didn't try it out (I'm an Android user), but nice idea. I forwarded it along to some old colleagues who are into Lean Startup, as this seems like a useful tool.<p>Unrelated to the app itself, but the website, the use of the word "feedbacks" seems pretty weird. (Are you a non-native English speaker?)<p><pre><code> Sharing &#38; Feedbacks Share your prototype with colleagues and friends. They can try out and comment on your prototype on their iPhone, iPad or in web browsers. You’d be surprised how valuable their feedbacks are. </code></pre> I would recommend using the word "feedback" instead. e.g.:<p><pre><code> Sharing &#38; Feedback Share your prototype with colleagues and friends. They can try out and comment on your prototype on their iPhone, iPad or in web browsers. You’d be surprised how valuable their feedback is.</code></pre>
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superbeefyover 12 years ago
Great App! Just tried it with UI Stencils and it really helps with testing of usability with an actual device.<p>Sadly there seems to be a bug with image alignment. Even if I get it right in cropping tool it looks like its shifting all images up and to the right by that looks like 10 to 15px. Other than that fantastic.
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sherazover 12 years ago
This reminds me of codiqa [1], a web app for creating skeleton mobile web apps. I use it all the time to mockup basic workflows like this.<p>disclaimer - I am a customer of codiqa.<p>[1] - <a href="http://codiqa.com" rel="nofollow">http://codiqa.com</a>
k4stover 12 years ago
Idea suggestion 1: Shape detection. Presumably this is already present given that it looks for the borders of the viewscreen. It would be really great if it could detect potential buttons in the app, and auto-select them to improve the speed of the workflow.<p>Idea Suggestion 2: Color coding. Use a highlighter to color in buttons in some color. Your app would automatically recognize things of that color as buttons, and potentially erase the color in the "finished" prototypes.
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epsover 12 years ago
Got<p><pre><code> name Unexcept error custom code 2 </code></pre> when creating an account.<p>On a more general note - what a superb idea, completely ruined by a desire to wrangle it into a recurrent revenue model. This should be a standalone paid app with an <i>optional</i> paid service for team collaboration and online backups. But it <i>must</i> work out of the box with no b/s accounts and no Internet connection. Simply because it doesn't need either.
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scottmagdaleinover 12 years ago
Usability suggestion: Don't force me to create an account BEFORE I receive any value from your app. Creating an account is a pain. It's not clear why I need an account. It most definitely benefits you, even if you think it's better for me in the long run.<p>Hold the account-setup step until I've created my first project and want to do something with it. That's when I'll be able to easily understand why I need an account.
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anenthgover 12 years ago
I have used Nokia's Flowella <a href="http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Tools_and_downloads/Other/Flowella/" rel="nofollow">http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Tools_and_downloads...</a><p>But, this is much more cooler as it is further simplifies the process. Is an Android version in the works?
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mueschaover 12 years ago
Just stopped and deleted after the sign-in splash screen!<p>Why i need to create a account BEFORE i use it? I dont like to share my project! I dont need to push it to public!<p>Its a phishing app for idea grabbing?
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iotaover 12 years ago
Can't wait to try this out. I've done something similar for other UX designers by taking flat screenshots and overlaying an image map with clickable areas. Instant "high fidelity" prototype!
tharris0101over 12 years ago
Okay, I'll admit that I sort of rolled my eyes at the top of the overview but by the end I was totally searching the app store for this app. What a novel and great idea.
ninetaxover 12 years ago
One thing that keeps happening: when I take a picture and finish cropping the app severely cuts off the right size of the picture. Any chance for a fix?
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rycover 12 years ago
so simple--great idea.<p>This + photoshop mock-ups ftw?
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IceyECover 12 years ago
Quick design note: on your web page you need to track active page in your navigation: currently Overview is always active (different color link)
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aviswanathanover 12 years ago
Very elegant and powerful solution to a pretty common problem. Does anyone know if something like this exists for web apps?
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TheFutureover 12 years ago
"* Due to App Store's restrictions, only Freelancer is available for in app purchase"<p>Anyone know why that is?
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hameyover 12 years ago
This is awesome. Suits my design process and I've often wondered why no one has done it before. Great work!
Kulbirover 12 years ago
POP: This iPhone app is every designer's missing puzzle piece for prototyping on paper.
jh3over 12 years ago
Be sure to click the Plans button in the toolbar. You can get 5 to 20 free projects.
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rick711003over 12 years ago
OMG! This app is app dev company's good product ! I LOVE IT
levymetalover 12 years ago
Genius. And it's not often I say that.
emilepetroneover 12 years ago
I was expecting to pay $5 for this...
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kairichardover 12 years ago
i want this for OSX
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sketchboundover 12 years ago
This is great!
drcongoover 12 years ago
Very nice.
jinhowover 12 years ago
brilliant idea
flyworldhanover 12 years ago
its amazing !
pirrerover 12 years ago
great work !
indiecoreover 12 years ago
Is app prototyping the new loyalty coupons? Is this what everyone is working on for winter?