From the Field

2011-08-30

It’s a multi-screen world

When we started our private beta we launched with the ability to prototype a fixed dimension for a smartphone, but let’s face it, we’re living in a multi-screen world. One of the most common bits of feedback we’ve received is the ability to create prototypes for iPad and different orientations.

We gave it some thought and realized if we were going to put the work into it we might as well allow the creation of prototypes of ANY dimension. After all, who knows what other devices might be coming our way in the following weeks, months and years. So, that’s what we did.

Yesterday we pushed an update to FieldTest that allows you to select iPhone and iPad in both portrait and landscape dimensions. In addition, you can specify a device frame for Android, Windows Phone 7 and a generic frame.

We think it’s important to acknowledge the presence of a device when reviewing a mobile prototype. It reminds us that the context is much different than a desktop experience and provides a great reference point for how prototypes may look when viewed on a real device.

The addition of this feature means you can use FieldTest to prototype out your entire multi-screen strategy, whether that’s across smartphones, tablets or other screens. There’s definitely some more work to be done, but we think it’s a great start.

2011-07-19

An update…

We’ve been quietly at work making some changes to FieldTest behind the scenes and prepping for future releases. In the process, we’ve made some updates that should make FieldTest even more useful for creating mobile prototypes. These updates are based in part on the awesome feedback we’ve received from our beta testers.

We’ll be incrementally opening up the beta to more people. You can sign up for early access at fieldtestapp.com.

The updates include:

UI Improvements

We’ve made a number of updates to further simplify the interface and make it more flexible for upcoming features. In addition we’ve added a fair amount of UI polish.

Multiple Gestures for Hotspots

We’re doing our best to allow you to test real scenarios that occur in mobile applications. Now you can specify multiple gestures on a single hotspot simply by turning gestures on and off. Each gesture gets its own link and transition.

Previous Screen Option for Hotspot

It’s not uncommon for a mobile application to have screens that can be accessed from many other screens. For example, think of all the ways you can get to a single tweet in the Twitter app.

In that case, you may want the back button to go back to the previous screen, no matter what that screen was. Previously, you had to make multiples of the same screen just to get the back button to go where you wanted. Yuck!

Now, you can select “Previous Screen” when defining a hotspot and no matter where you came from, triggering that hotspot will always take you back a screen.

2011-06-29

Some guiding principles…

When we started working on FieldTest we had a really specific idea of what we wanted to do. Over the past couple months we’ve been dreaming about other potential opportunities, but we always make sure to refer back to some guiding principles. We’ll be sticking to these until we a see a reason to do otherwise:

Allow for quick validation of ideas
Speed and ease of use are core components of FieldTest. Getting feedback during your entire process is critical. We want people to feel like there are no barriers to making sure they’re making apps the best they can be, no matter what stage in the process they might be.

Compliment the process, don’t rewrite it
Everyone does things their own way. With FieldTest, we want to be conscious of the processes people already use and not try to disrupt that. We’re hoping this approach will enable people to jump in and start creating prototypes with less of a learning curve.

Focus on flexibility
Increasingly we’re seeing more creative and innovative designs for mobile applications and websites. The reality is that many of these custom interfaces can not be described with common components or templates. Apps are becoming more custom, both in their UI and interactions.

We’re heavily relying on images to describe the experience that designer’s have in mind. While this might mean less interactivity, it also means more flexibility, quicker execution and a broader common skill set.

We really just want to make a product that doesn’t allow anyone to make excuses to NOT create a prototype and get feedback on their ideas. FieldTest is meant to be used as a quick way to answer open questions around design, development and ultimately get people to see their apps through the lens of context and the user.

2011-05-14

We are go!

Designing mobile applications and websites can be a tricky thing. Tricky in the sense that there’s more to consider, like context, screen size, touch, gestures and more. One of the best ways to create a great mobile experience is through prototyping early and often, as well as getting user feedback. Nothing beats seeing your designs on a mobile device.

Many times prototyping for mobile is overlooked because it may cost too much, take too much time or proper tools aren’t available. We’re looking to change that with FieldTest. We want to make it easy for people to create high-fidelity mobile prototypes quickly, without interrupting the way people already work. We want to compliment a design workflow, not redefine it.

Last week we took our site live and started sharing publicly what we’re working on. While things may still be a little rough around the edges, there are enough features for people to start seeing the value in FieldTest and we’re just getting started. We have a ton of ideas, but we’re looking to people using FieldTest to help us prioritize.

The team working on FieldTest is made up of designers and developers who have been working in the mobile space for several years. It’s been great to see the adoption numbers for mobile skyrocket and see how it’s changing the way we interact with the world. A huge part of that is because of the mobile apps and websites being created. We’re extremely excited to potentially play a role in the process.

If you’re interested in the FieldTest Beta, you can sign up at http://www.fieldtestapp.com.