1. Start your IA with Mobile!
How to target Multi-Platforms
Johann RichardParis, 25. September 2010

2. The challenge: A web of complexity
Unified IA and Interaction Design for multiple platforms

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The complexity of a growing ecosystem
For the user, it’s one
experience – and yet, it’s
happening on and with a
multitude of devices,
platforms, and interaction
styles.
 Chances are high that
he’s interacting with 2-3
different platforms during
an entire experience.
Unified IA and Interaction Design for multiple platforms

4. One size fits all!? – Multi-dimensional issues
The problem of increasingly complex IA and UX challenges

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Challenges in physical space
Multi-Dimensional problem space
With the addition of new (mobile) devices,
we are facing new challenges in physical
space:
› A multitude of hugely different screen
sizes
› Different types of connection quality
and performance, including wireless
› The “touch” paradigm where the
user’s fingers replace the mouse
pointer as primary input device

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Challenges in time
Multi-Dimensional problem space
The new (mobile) devices also introduce
new challenges in time:
› We see new use patterns – people
paying less attention, with dispersed
interactions and more interruptions
› Tasks are completed over longer
periods of time on different devices
› The individual experience changes
over time – from device to device

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Challenges in the social space
Multi-Dimensional problem space
Who
I Am
Personal
SocialConnected
The new (mobile) devices finally
introduce new challenges in social space:
› They’re completely personal – always
and everywhere where I am
› They’re completely social – used to
share content both physically and
virtually
› They’re completely connected –
forming implicit and explicit social
networks

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“Context”, in some more detail
Multi-Dimensional problem space
Who is with
me?
Social context
Where do I
come from?
Connected
Who am I?
Interaction
patterns
Where am I?
Spatial context
Where do I
want to go?
Goals and
Objectives

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And: The user doesn’t care. He wants it to work.
Multi-Dimensional problem space

10. The goal: A compelling experience – everywhere
Accessible, usable and engaging applications on every platform

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So … how to tackle this problem?

12. The solution: Start your IA with mobile!
Why “less” means “more”

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“A complex system that works is invariably
found to have evolved from a simple system
that worked. […] A complex system designed
from scratch never works and cannot be
made to work. You have to start over,
beginning with a working simple system.”
— John Gall

14. Embrace constraints
Make the impossible happen …

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Simplicity is good: Constraints force proper thinking
Embrace constraints
Proper thinking with mobile interaction
› Smaller chunks of information
› More guided
› Most important things first
It’s easier to combine multiple, simple
chunks of information (once you have
them) than to split complex information
into smaller chunks

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Proper thinking: Tables
Embrace constraints

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Proper thinking: Forms
Embrace constraints

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Proper thinking: A real world example
Embrace constraints
Source: Luke Wroblewski

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Proper thinking: A real world example
Embrace constraints
Source: Luke Wroblewski

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It’s not about compromise!
Embrace constraints
Discover the very basic interactions
and functionality …
… and augment “per platform” with
things that make sense

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“Mobile” augmentation
Location, Sensors in
general (Picture, motion,
landscape vs. portrait etc.)
but also stuff like the
integrated address book,
calendar, e-mail capabilities
and the like.
Finally using ―augmented
reality‖ technology to beef
up the experience.
Embrace constraints

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“Web” augmentation
Embrace constraints
Drag & Drop Rich, complete data display

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A general approach for embracing constraints
Activity FeaturesObjects
Embrace constraints

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A general approach for embracing constraints
Activity FeaturesObjects
Embrace constraints

25. The “Packing List” project
A case study

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“Working together to plan a trip as a group
(goal) using shared packing lists to achieve
an efficient planning and provisioning of the
group as a whole but also as an individual
(activity).”
Goal and Main Activity

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Basic functionality / IA – (Social) Objects
› Group members
› Tour types
› Trip types
› Trips
› Packing lists
› Shared
› Non-shared
› List items
› Shared
› Non-shared
A trip planner for groups

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Basic functionality / IA – Example Features
A trip planner for groups
› Sign-up / Login
› Creation & Access to packing lists
› Management of lists and individual
items
› Sharing & Invitation for peers
› Lists
› Items
› Comments

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General workflow: List management
The required functions and
information were divided in
the smallest possible,
meaningful chunks.
From these, an Axure
Prototype was built and
workflows defined and
refined with the customer.

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General workflow: Packlists
A trip planner for groups

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What it became, eventually …
A trip planner for groups

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Customer Understood ―mobile
first‖ really well
Process Practical and useful
End-users Really like the app
What’s good (and went well)
A trip planner for groups

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What could be better
A trip planner for groups
―Social‖ Make the experience
more social
Offline Support some kind of
offline mode
Sensors Use the sensors of the
mobile (Camera)

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“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find
simplicity; From discord find harmony; In
the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
- Albert Einstein

35. Eigerstrasse 60
3007 Bern
T: +41 31 560 12 12
F: +41 31 560 12 13
info@unic.com
www.unic.com
Unic AG
© Unic - Seite 35
Johann Richard
Head of Innovation,
Member Corporate Development
johann.richard@unic.com
Twitter: @johannrichard
http://ch.linkedin.com/in/johannrichard
http://xing.com/profile/Johann_Richard
http://delicious.com/johann.richard

36. Company
› Founded 1996 in Bern as a spin-off of the university
› Offices in Amsterdam, Bern, Brussels, Vienna and Zurich
› Owners guided company
› Staff over 200
Market performance
Enterprise Content Management & E-Business
References
© Unic - Page 36
About Unic

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Sources and Credits
1: aboutpixel.de Handytastatur © Dominik Sellmann
3: Manun, photocase.com
11: Nokia
13: sxc.hu / unknown
15: ―Bufalino‖, Cornelius Comanns
26: ―Chamonix‖, Thomas Senf / Mammut Sports Group
All App screens: Mammut Sports Group / Unic AG