Sample Chat App
a mobile app project by kpgalligan

Creative brief

The buyer added updates to the brief. Read them.

Business Name

Touch Lab Inc

What do you do?

We are an Android-focused mobile development shop. We build Android apps for various clients. We are currently working on a testing application, as well as an Android training class. We have an example app that will be used for both the class and as a demo app for the testing product. This app is a chat application. I'd like to have a better "polish" on the interface than what our non-design hands have come up with. There really isn't much to this app, and we're not going to get very particular with the look. I'd like something that has the appearance of a sophisticated app, and has enough graphical complexity to demonstrate those parts of the layout API to students, but it doesn't have to be actually "awesome" as far as startup apps go, if you know what I mean. Good logo/icon additions get extra points. Can be kind of goofy/jokey, as long as it looks good. Have fun with it.

What is your industry?

The target will be developers, but again, this isn't a "real" app. Just a demo. Were it real, it would presumably be for the average user.

What 3 things do you want to communicate to your audience through your app?

Simple, solid, fun.

How many app screens do you need designed?

4: Login, chat, profile, and preferences. The prefs page can look like standard Android, so its not as big of a deal. The profile page doesn't exist yet. Will attach a mockup. The profile and preferences probably won't "do" anything. Just serve as examples for the class. Profile page would include a photo, name, contact info (twitter handle, email, etc), and other pointless stuff, like favorite color, boolean checkbox for "Afraid of spiders". Whatever. Just an example page to show layout and form entry.

Do your app designs need to be a particular size?

Please refer to the android size/density descriptions. We'd need medium, large, and xl densities.

What mobile app styles do you like?

Path. Android market, gmail. The new "Action Bar" looks is good. Profile page should have the action bar, with the little arrow pointing back at the chat page.

What colors do you want to see in your mobile app design?

Open. Surprise me.

What colors do you NOT want to see in your mobile app design?

Vomit-ish color? Just kidding. No idea.

What adjectives should best describe your app design?

Bad ass is not an adjective, right? Its a demo app. Mentioned that, right? Make it fun.

Do you have additional info or links you'd like to share?

http://venturebeat.com/2011/11/01/google-plus-a...

Home/chat screen somewhat similar to this:
http://venturebeat.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/...

Profile screen should have something similar to the top left of this (action bar with "home" link):
http://venturebeat.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/...

Very open to interpretation, though. Go nuts.

Video of current app attached, showing the basic functionality. As mentioned, we'd like profile and preferences pages, but none exists yet. The prefs will be standard android prefs, so design of that isn't necessary, but if you have interesting ideas, feel free to include.