Here are links to the support pages for the iBlocs we demonstrated yesterday:

- Action Calculator
- Date Calculator
- Liquid Layout
- Scroll Lock
- Move to Mouse Location
- Table Filter

We also created an iDoc containing the completed examples that we demonstrated at the webinar — download it here (iRise Studio 8.10). All of our iBlocs are available for free on our Workshop page.

If you find any of our iBlocs especially useful or have any suggestions for improvement or for future iBlocs, please let us know!

We’ve posted some stories and videos so you can see how we can go from an idea to an app in a week on the iPhone and iPad.

We believe digital prototyping makes better digital products, and we’re ready to prove it! Do you have an idea that you need to get support or  funding for? We can help!

Sign-up today for a free Mobile Prototype Proof-of-Concept! In a short-time, we’ll rapidly design a functional high-fidelity mobile prototype proof-of-concept. The proof-of-concept will visualize what your mobile application can be, and will give you a strong foundation to build from.

You keep the prototype, all we ask is that you recommend us and consider us a partner for future work!

Did we mention it’s free? This is a limited time offer for three selected applicants.

Back in November I wrote an article about prototyping tools used for mobile development. Since then, I’ve been using a tool from that article to prototype an iPhone application I’m developing for my thesis (Note: I’m working on my Masters). Although FieldTest is still in Private Beta, it’s a powerful tool and has allowed me to quickly show a clickable model to users early in the development stage.

My Process

I’ve been designing the UI for my mobile app in Adobe Photoshop. At the end of each work session, I would save out screenshots to upload to FieldTest. My screens were saved as 640×920 since I’m building for iPhone 4, however the prototype displays in FieldTest as 320×460. The screens auto-resize, however on first launch on the iPhone, it looks a bit fuzzy due to the lower-resolution version. To remedy this issue, a two-finger swipe on the iPhone will give you the option to view images in Hi-Resolution. (Do it!)

Why FieldTest

The id8 team uses iRise to simulate hi-fidelity prototypes, and although it’s a a great tool, there were a few reasons why I used FieldTest to start out with:

1) It’s quick. In less than 10 minutes, I can create a new project, upload about 7 screens, add hotspots and transitions to each screen, and be ready to test. That’s fast!

2) Public view. With one-click I can share my prototype and send a link to anyone. Users don’t require a login, have nothing to install, and can view the project immediately. In a web browser, the project displays within an iPhone frame; on the iPhone, the project displays as an app.

3) Works like an app. With the transitions being seamless and immediate, the project in FieldTest actually functions like an app and not a website. Sometimes linking between pages in iRise Studio can cause a lag while loading, and although it is small, it is noticeable. Another downside for iRise is animating transitions between pages: you can’t do it. The only way to make it happen would require you to have multiple screens in hidden views on one page.

4) Branching out. Aside from the benefits listed above, an underlying benefit was being able to learn and experiment with a new tool. This allows me to be more educated on the prototyping tools currently available, and also helps me make informed decisions when putting together toolsets for projects and clients.

Worth a Look

FieldTest has been in Private Beta for a number of months now, and a full release should be available soon (fingers crossed). I’d recommend Signing Up for early access and test it out. The Beta version limits you to 3 projects, but all the projects are fully-functional. No word yet on pricing…let’s hope it’s reasonable!

Please register and check it out – we are super excited about it:
 

Beginning today we’ll offer our digital publishing debut on the iPad platform, at no cost.

We partnered with renowned non-fiction writer/producer Donnell Alexander to build a story as compelling as the strategies discussed inside its electronic pages. Created with Apple’s stunning new iBook Author App and designed for the wildly amazing Apple iPad, Rock the Room uses narrative writing, illustrative videos and even new rock songs to share the story of id8′s Michael Terrett and how he rose from humble beginnings to become an elite meetings facilitator.

Subtitled Facilitate Meaningful Meetings the id8 Way, Rock the Room! includes videos of Terrett arranging the optimal meeting space, as well as sound bites full of indispensable advice and anecdotes from Terrett and other key figures inside the digital prototyping firm. You won’t set out coffee or arrange a conference call the same way after sailing through this multi-media experience that you’ll want to experience again and again.

Rock the Room! will soon become available through the iTunes bookstore. Here’s how to start making your meetings better immediately:

Get the free iBook!

1. Download Rock the Room! for the iPad (iBook, 82.8MB)
2. Make sure you have installed the iBooks App on your iPad
3. Drag-and-drop the iBook to your iTunes window
4. Plug in your iPad, and under the Books settings, make sure that Rock The Room! is clicked to sync
5. If you’re having problems, watch this short video demo
6. Enjoy, share with friends, and send your feedback 

Get the free PDF!
(Sorry, but the PDF version does not have the cool videos, audio clips, and everything else. For the best experience, please view this on an iPad.)

1. Download Rock the Room! for anything else (PDF, 49.5MB)
2. Make sure you have installed Adobe Acrobat or another reader, download one
3. Enjoy, share with friends, and send your feedback <info@id8.com>

Big thanks to everyone who contributed to this. This was a big team effort.

• Co-Producer: Thor Swift 
• Designer: Jen Matos

• Moving Images: Kurt Hegre
• Music: Stagger and Fall, Loot, Rademacher

We view this as just the first edition of this iBook.
Please send us your feedback so we can make it better. Thanks!

The Action Calculator iBloc executes equations using Input widgets without refreshing the page, and displays the results in a Text or Input widget.

Current Version: 1.2.1
Supported iRise Studio Versions: 8.7 – 8.10
Supported Browsers: IE 7.0+, Firefox 3.5+, Safari 4.0+, Chrome 8.0+, iOS Safari, Android (default browser)
Works in iRise iPhone and iPad apps: Yes

Previous Version: 1.1.1
Supported iRise Studio Versions: 8.5, 8.6
Supported Browsers: IE 7.0+, Firefox 3.5+, Safari 4.0+, Chrome 8.0+, iOS Safari, Android (default browser)
Works in iRise iPhone and iPad apps: Yes

What does it do?

• Dynamically performs calculations without requiring a page refresh
• Can be triggered with any event (onLoad, onClick, onChange, etc.) like a standard Action
• Allows you to create your own equations using up to 10 input widgets as variables
• Equations can include numbers, parentheses, and standard operators (+ – * / %)
• The result can be shown in an Input widget or a Text widget
• Multiple ActionCalc iBlocs may be used on a single page
• Inputs can contain commas or non-numeric characters (e.g., “$”)
• Answer can be formatted with or without commas and any number of decimal places

Current Version: 1.2.1
Supported iRise Studio Versions: 8.7 – 8.10
Supported Browsers: IE 7.0+, Firefox 3.5+, Safari 4.0+, Chrome 8.0+, iOS Safari, Android (default browser)
Works in iRise iPhone and iPad apps: Yes

Previous Version: 1.1.1
Supported iRise Studio Versions: 8.5, 8.6
Supported Browsers: IE 7.0+, Firefox 3.5+, Safari 4.0+, Chrome 8.0+, iOS Safari, Android (default browser)
Works in iRise iPhone and iPad apps: Yes

What does it do?

• Adds or subtracts years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds from any date and/or time
• The date/time used as the starting point for the calculation can be:
• The current date/time (now)
• The date/time in any input or calendar widget
• From a clipboard or record action connected to the iBloc via data flow
• Manually entered in the properties panel
• The result can be:
• Expressed as any combination of month, day, year, day of week, hours, minutes, or seconds, in any format
• Shown on the page at the iBloc location as standalone text
• Shown as the value of any input or calendar widget
• Inserted inline into a block of text in a standard text widget
• Submitted to a clipboard or record action via data flow
• Any number of Date Calculator iBlocs may be used on a page

But it’s sometimes hard to bring digital prototyping into an organization or know where to start. Some of the common questions we hear are:

• How will it work with my current processes and resources?
• How is it better than what I currently have?
• How much will it cost?
• What will I get when it’s over?

To help understand the value and make the case for digital prototyping, we are developing a new program called, “Pilot with id8.” This is intended to help you build a business case and jump start your project with digital prototyping.

In just a few days of expert consultation we will conduct some initial interviews to understand your needs, we will create a draft plan with resources, activities, and costs, and we will design the first few screens of your digital prototype. This will give you a concrete plan and demo that you can use to build a business case and generate enthusiasm within your organization.

If you are interested, please contact us pilot@id8.com to see if you are eligible for a free digital prototyping consultation with id8.

We know that you’ll find it worthwhile, and we hope to chat with you soon!

I personally always like to remind people on my team the amount of ground we’ve covered, and how much work we have completed to this point.

One way to do this is to simply say: “Remember when we first started this project…. remember all we had was a box with three buttons in it…. now look at where we are…”.

However, I’ve tried that method many times and I don’t think it’s very effective. In the moment it’s cool, but as soon as you move on to another topic it’s forgotton.

So recently I’ve been thinking about a better way to convey this. I always try to go back to our core principle – visualize. The best example of that I could find is time-lapse cameras. See a months worth of work in 2 minutes. I love these things. It might have something to do with the fact that I have a short attention span, but none-the-less I love watching the whole experience from start to finish.

Here is a classic example:

And then this one:

These are great, but I want to convey a prototype changing over a short period of time. So I think this is a better example of what I’m looking for:

So with those examples in mind, I decided to take screen shots of the prototypes we build over time, and then, for now, put them into presentations to show the team before we get into any major discussion or decision making.

Here is an example – it’s a start:

Over time I will try to improve them and make them more interactive, maybe even create a little movie with some cool music.

So far I found it to be a very helpful technique. It helps relax the people in the meeting, it also helps remind them how much work we’ve covered thus far.

I love doing it, and I will continue to do it. It takes a bit of time and effort, but I feel it’s worth it and when you look back at the ideas you started with, it can be pretty funny as well!

A lot of times we are dropped into situations where the project is in trouble, the teams are frustrated, and general morale is at a low, or at a concerning point. As a consultant, I believe it is extremely important to have as much fun as possible with your team and the people you are working with. It rubs off, trust me. It will lift the mood of the team, and it will also show everyone on the project that no matter how bleak the situation looks, it’s always better to have the glass half full!

Some companies have this encouraged into their corporate culture, and therefore it becomes second nature. Other companies only learn about it on a motivational poster. Nonetheless, I have yet to meet a team that has told me to calm down, turn off, or stop the fun.

How do you do this? There are many ways, but below is an example of one I recently used.

Presentation surprises…

I always like to start a presentation with a light joke, normally on myself, but every once in a while I get to land a gem like this one.

It occurred to me that Eric, id8 Partner and Founder, looked like this guy:

I thought it would be a good idea to pass that on?

And, led me to beg the question:

Tell me that is not spooky close – he could be his double!

How did it work? The clients loved it! We took what could have been another boring meeting, and set the tone for what became an engaging session to share ideas, feedback, and laughter.

The key thing to note is that it must be collaborative. Do not keep it within your company, or just to your friends, or only after hours. Share and surprise the whole team. The work we do is serious and very complex. However, I have yet to work on a project where the people did not appreciate having a laugh with the team.

Give it a try. You will be surprised at the outcome. But please don’t try to figure out who my celebrity double is.