How to Design Apps for iPad Children's Books

Making your app compatible with the iPhone broadens your market considerably.

Apple has made it possible for anyone to create games and apps for its range of iOS-powered devices, including the iPad. The tools required to make the apps are available to download for free, but the first stage is carefully designing and planning your app to ensure you -- or a hired developer -- knows exactly what to build. The iPad is ideal for children's book apps as it allows for interactive and multimedia elements alongside the story, which should all be considered during the design stage.

Instructions

1. Research existing children's book apps that are already available on the App Store. Download and test as many as possible, and make extensive notes on the strengths and weaknesses of each. Read any reviews of the apps on the App Store to gauge user feedback.

2. Write a design document that begins with a single, concise statement that summarizes exactly what your app will accomplish. This statement should give a broad but accurate overview of the app and also be viable as a fast, hard-hitting sales pitch. Expand this short statement into a full outline of the app, including details on its aesthetic style, type of content, user interface and on-screen layout.

3. Create a mockup of how your app will look on the iPad's screen, following any design decisions detailed in the design document. Use a graphics package or a pen and paper to draw the mockups, including each type of page the app will use, its menus, tutorials, opening page, layout and any other artistic requirements.

4. Discuss your design document with an approved Apple developer and with any other suitable people -- who ideally have experience with children's books and/or iPad application development -- that can provide early feedback on the app's design. Rewrite your design document and adjust your mockups to accommodate the feedback you have received.

5. Take your design document to a developer to begin building the app. Alternatively, register as an Apple developer, download the available tools and begin building the app yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Regularly return to your initial mission statement when designing and building the app to ensure your work meets the intended design requirements.

References

• Apple Developer Program
• Apple: Start Developing iPad Apps