5 - Design issues for mobile systems

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the design issues for mobile applications and devices. It discusses the importance of having a human-centered design approach to mobile product development, and the stages involved in this approach. It introduces some of the principles of design that one should be aware of when it comes to developing mobile applications. It provides information on several requirement gathering techniques that can be used as part of a human-centered design (HCD) approach to mobile application development. The chapter describes the main mobile prototyping techniques such as the Wizard of Oz techniques, paper and pencil testing, and using mobile emulators. As part of human-centered design approach, the chapter also presents a discussion on the design principles that one should be aware of when developing a mobile system or application. An important point to consider from the outset is the context of use. The context of use for a user of mobile applications is often highly dynamic with constantly changing social, physical and environmental influences. Therefore, the suggestion that is put forward in the chapter is that the designer should accommodate these, if possible, in the service or application design. Also, because of the limited screen space available on mobile devices, it is important that the designer reduces the information complexity without losing any valuable content.