An overview of the current rewards and incentives available for developers building for Windows Phone

2. 8 Top Tips
So what are the
for Designing Windows Phone games

3. 1. Focus
Write a “best-at” statement that clearly outlines what
makes your app great and unique from the rest. Use it as
a mission statement that guides design and development.
Think about how different types of users will employ your
app and focus on the top three “user scenarios” that truly
support your best-at statement. Make these user
experiences truly stellar before adding more features.
For reference: Windows Phone Design Process - Concept

4. 2. Plan
Create a navigation flowchart, showing how the pages in
your app interrelate. It will give you a clearer picture of
how users should get around in your app. Group like
pages and then decide if each group should be in
panorama, pivot or app bar style based on how users will
interact. Even if you’re not artistically inclined, sketch
simple wireframes for your pages and try different
iterations. Sketches are always easier to modify than code.
For reference: Windows Phone Design Process - Structure

5. 3. Love the Grid
Grid based design is nothing new, but did you know that
Windows Phone has its own grid? Use it while sketching
or creating design comps. There is even a handy overlay
included in page template. (It’s hidden in the XAML
comments.) Flip it on and see the grid in your own
application. Snap to it!
For reference: Sketch Templates

6. 4. Theme it
One of the great things about Windows Phone is that
users choose light or dark themes as well as personal
accent colors. The entire phone takes on those themes.
Don’t let your app get left behind, or worse, perform
opposite the user’s intent. Theme and accent colors are
available as resources you can use throughout your app.
For reference: Themes for Windows Phone

7. 5. Its Alive
Users love apps that feel like they’re an organic part of
their phone. Make a great live tile experience, even if
that’s not the main feature of your app. Live tiles pull users
back into your app, and give you an edge over the
competition. Take a look at the templates and come up
with some ideas.
For reference: Tile Design Guidelines for Windows Phone

8. 6. Lot Content Breathe
It’s tempting to pack as much content as possible onto a
screen, but remember that scrolling on Windows Phone
only takes a flick of the finger. Good screen design is
focused on legibility and “scannability.” Let your design
breathe and avoid the “wall of words” effect. Use white
space – the gaps between visual elements – to separate
groups of elements and make your layout easier to
understand at a glance.
For reference: Windows Phone Design Principles: more
with less

9. 7. Be Inspired
Windows Phone’s design language is inspired by
International Typographic Style. This style focuses on
strong typography, simplicity and clarity. It uses simple
illustration, sharp contrast and bold shapes to
communicate ideas effectively. Check it out, then spice up
your app design.
For reference: Windows Phone Design Bootcamp 101:
Windows Design Language

10. 8. Sell it
Consider how you populate your store entry. This is often
the first experience a potential customer has with your
app. Your app’s name and icon should be clear and
memorable, its descriptions simple and effective. The
screenshots you choose should demo key content and
functionality that users want or need. Don’t let a great
app fall to the wayside due to lackluster marketing.
For reference: Windows Phone Store badge

11. Developers of all
types
take advantage of a rapidly growing
platform…
can

12. support or offers
What
are available to UK Devs

13. Bring your app or game to Windows Phone 8 and get:
•FREE Windows Developer Center registration token
•FREE Windows Phone 8 device
•FREE 3 month Marmalade Indie license
The offer closes on the 31st December 2013 so make sure your app is approved on the Windows Developer Center
by then!
https://legacy.madewithmarmalade.com/wp8

14. www.AppCampus.fi
AppCampus is a mobile application accelerator program managed by Aalto University in Espoo, Finland.
This is an 18 million Euro joint investment between Microsoft and Nokia to foster mobile application
development on Windows Phone and any other Nokia platform.
Successful applicants will receive awards varying from 20.000, 50.000 to 70.000 EUROS, depending on
the complexity of the app. In addition, AppCampus also provides training in mobile technology, design
and usability, coaching and marketing support.
The only requirement is that successful applications are expected to be available exclusively on Windows
Phone Store for the first 90 days.
UK Camps to perfect your submission - http://www.ukmobileappaccelerator.co.uk/
Birmingham Camp 2nd December 2013
14

16. 1
“Take developers from an app idea to a successful app by
providing help, promotions and rewards.”
made by Nokia Developer

17. 2
made by Nokia Developer

18. 3
* - subject to local availability
made by Nokia Developer

19. Nokia Developer Offers is a set of design, development, and
troubleshooting tools that will help you build great Windows
Phone apps that appeal to your users and speed up your
development.
Best part is, for eligible developers, This set of tools is
completely free!
• Microsoft Windows Phone Dev Center subscription (1-year)
• BugSense Performance Monitoring Solution for Windows
Phone (3 months free trial)
• Infragistics NetAdvantage for Windows Phone (1-year)
• Telerik Rad Controls for Windows Phone (1-year)
To get this free package worth over £300, join today and get a
jump-start on your development!
Find out more at developer.nokia.com

20. © 2012 Microsoft Corporation.
All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.