Ask HN: iPad developers, are you lacking a designer?

12 points by VomisaCaasi 16 years ago | 19 comments

Hello guys, I've been doing web-design for about 3 years and I'm now looking for a way in to the iPad scene, as this seems more exciting and challenging. I would be able to give out first design for a project as pro-bono, so feel free to try me out.

Some previous examples:

Project 1 - A side-project I am currently developing in django and JS/jQuery for artists and alike. URL: http://orbita.li/disain/mindcast_001_01_1440x900.png

Project 2 - This probably gives better idea on my design/interactive skills. Sorry about the sound though, it's an artist site. URL: http://djcardinal.com/

escoz 16 years ago |

Do you actually have any iPhone/ipad app prototypes you've worked on to show off what you can do? Designing for mobile devices is really different from media or websites.

As somebody else already said, if I'm gonna spend money to bring somebody to work with me, I'll need to know the person is first of all capable of doing something slightly better than I can (and I can't do any design).

You don't need to create a new app from scratch, just select an app in the appstore that sounds interesting to you and try to create a different design. Blog about it, create new mockups, and share that online.. You gotta do some marketing for your work, and the only way to do that is to show what you're capable of.

VomisaCaasi 16 years ago | |

I guess I should've done a bit more home-work before turning to HN.

Thank you for the great advice, this is exactly what I'm going to do.

jere_jones 16 years ago |

Are you interested in doing Android work? I'm not sure what files you would provide to an iPad developer, but for Android just providing mock ups and graphical assets would be hugely valuable.

It would certainly be more challenging to come up with good designs that work well and look great when the variety of screen sizes and resolutions has to be taken into account.

VomisaCaasi 16 years ago | |

Yes, as long as it features a GUI. I don't own an Android device myself, but this seems like a neat opportunity nevertheless.

loewenskind 16 years ago |

What kind of rate do you expect to work at? What would the work flow be for this? Are you going to make the xib files and leave it to the programmer to wire it up, or do you have something else in mind?

VomisaCaasi 16 years ago | |

I'm not familiar with the pricing trends in the iPad scene, however, when I am dealing with my clients in web/graphics design, I've been billing for 15-30USD per hour.

I would be producing the design files that a developer could use and put together when producing an app. I am able to code as-well (not for the iPad, though), but in this case I would like to strictly stick to the design process.

loewenskind 16 years ago | | |

I'm getting the impression you haven't spent any time doing prototypes on this yet. Are you familiar with Xcode/Interface Builder/etc.?

I've been procrastinating for a couple of weeks now because I'm not happy with the visual design of the iPad app I'm working on. I'm no designer and would love to just pay someone to do this part, but if you're going to be learning this for the first time it will probably take you longer than it will me (even though your final product should look much better than mine).

EDIT: Wait, what do you mean by "I would be producing the design files"? Do you mean producing e.g. pictures of what the GUI should look like that I then have to go build myself?

ghotli 16 years ago | | |

Am I the only one who thought he is really underpricing himself? Depends on the quality of his work I guess.

sahillavingia 16 years ago |

Try #ipaddev on Freenode, there are a ton of devs there.

VomisaCaasi 16 years ago | |

Thanks, I will check the place out.

zaveri 16 years ago |

I know you mention that you want to break onto the iPad scene. But would you still be interested in doing some web-design work?

VomisaCaasi 16 years ago | |

Sure. What do you have in mind?