Truematter Blog

The need and demand to create mobile websites is growing at an exponential rate. But I’m sure you already know that. What you may not be familiar with is the ease at which you can create a prototype (or living wireframe) and transfer it to a mobile device for user testing. Our tool of choice: Axure RP.

For an interactive usability consultancy such as ours, testing is the end all be all that informs the changes we need to make to the website or app. In a relatively new and constantly evolving medium, prototyping and testing should be a part of everyone’s workflow. Make note: this is mucho important.

Why Bother Prototyping for Mobile?
Yes, prototyping adds an extra step to your workflow. Yes, it can be hard to convince clients to shoulder that cost. But it’s a vital step, and one that’s been created to fill a very distinct and rather new need. (more…)

Build better sites and apps by getting to know the people who use them.

By Dean Schuster, truematter

The manic drive to create websites and mobile apps quickly and cheaply requires huge sacrifices. Is complex functionality the first to go? Hardly. How about the content management system? Goodness no. Trendy design? Please.

The first casualty of most Web projects is, unfortunately, concern for the people who will use them. After all, people might actually have something to say about that nifty mobile app you’re building. Can’t have that. Ignore them and your preconceived ideas can flourish. Your site is probably already done.

This sounds absurd, but it has become an epidemic. The drive to build right now overcomes the small voice that asks, “Build what? For whom?”  We’ve created a culture of compromise.

I propose a radical idea. Maybe, just maybe, we should talk to the people who use our websites and mobile apps before we build the stuff for them. Radical ideas are bitterly opposed by the status quo. Sure enough, most Web teams avoid researching or interacting with people before they dive into work. I suppose they trust their own instincts or (gasp) make things up as they go.

I do not trust my instincts. Neither should you. (more…)