Mobile design consideration

Design an application is not that simple. During my research on how to create an application I found out that there are few consideration need to concern.

From
Microsoft Application Architecture Guide, 2nd Edition
a book created by Microsoft Patterns & Practices Team

In Chapter 24 is a chapter about Designing Mobile Applications

Is this chapter it show some of the consideration when create an application. After reading this chapter there are 5 points of consideration that a app designer need to focus when they are designing an application.

1. Decide what kind of application that you will build. In the book it noted that it may desing for a thin Web client or rich Internet application (RIA). Depend on what  kind of situation,
   "If your application requires local processing and must work in an occasionally connected scenario, consider designing a rich client. A rich client application will be more complex to install and maintain. If your application can depend on server processing and will always be fully connected, consider designing a thin client. If your application requires a rich UI, only limited access to local resources, and must be portable to other platforms, design an RIA client''(Microsoft Application Architecture Guide, 2nd Edition}
2. Make a decision on the types of devices you will support. When choosing a platform, designer need to understand all the features of the platform, example like. screen size resolution, performance, memory, battery life , GPS system , camera and so on.
3. Consider occasionally connected and limited -bandwidth scenarios when appropriate. (This is a very important for app designer) base on my personal experience sometimes when there are no network access user can't even launch the app which give user a bad user experience.
   "It is vital in this case to design your caching, state management, and data access mechanisms with intermittent network connectivity in mind; batch communications for delivery when connectivity is available. Choose hardware and software protocols based on speed, power consumption, and granularity, and not just on ease of programming."
4. When designing a UI for mobile devices, mobile devices require a simpler architecture, simpler UI in order to work within the constraints imposed by the devices hardware. Make sure the design and icon are simpler and easy to recognize.These are some of the main constraints need to beware in mind when designing, memory, battery life, ability to adapt to different screen sizes and orientations, security, and network bandwidth.
5. Design a layered architecture appropriate for mobile devices that improves reuse and maintainability. Use the concept of layers to maximize separation of concerns, and to improve reuse and maintainability for your mobile application. However, aim to achieve the smallest footprint on the device by simplifying your design compared to a desktop or Web application. Designer need to beware on designing a mobile devices that can be update after getting some feedback. Although every app will go through alpha and beta test but the will always be some bugs that can't be recognize after the app had been launch.

Extra Info 

Aerion Technologies Blog - March 15, 2013

Key Considerations when Developing a Mobile App

I found some similar key point consideration while create an application form this Aerion Technologies website. In this website it point out some of the key consideration while design an app. 

1) App Features:

Understand what application that a designer are designing and what problem that the app is trying to solve. From the problem solving designer will base on it to come out a series of features to solve that problem. Besides that, keep the app simple and suitable to solve the problem and hit your goals. Main features need to fix as early as possible and should stay on track throughout the project. New features can be added with subsequent upgrades.

2)Target Market:

Try to find who is your target audience. Base on their need and problem, a designer can design a problem solving application. Another important consideration when addressing your target market, is the design and UI (User Interface)

3)App Design:

The design of the app is the first expression that user will get, the most eye-catching design that will attract their attention.

Design rules of thumb:

Follow the Design Guidelines for iOS and Android for more UI and design info. Create a strong app icon. The icon can attract attention and portray the app’s purpose/use. 

Keep the design nice and simple. Don't confuse user by adding unnecessary element. The design needs to make functional sense.

Text, symbols and photographs must be clear and easy to view. There isn’t a lot of mobile screen space, so take full advantage of what is there. Interface design within an app is the best way to build a relationship with your audience. 

References

Aerion Technologies. 2013. Key Considerations when Developing a Mobile App - Aerion Technologies. [online] Available at: http://www.aerion.com.au/2013/key-considerations-when-developing-a-mobile-app/ [Accessed: 3 Aug 2013].
This website show the consideration of creating an application which i use to compare with Instagram  

Unknown. 2009. Larger Cover Microsoft® Application Architecture Guide, 2nd Edition. [e-book] Microsoft Press. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee658108.aspx [Accessed: 3rd August 2013].
I find this Pdf file of a book that created by Microsoft that teach people what are the thing that app designer need to put in mind while design an application.