Although this blog is primarily a destination for developers, we all know that design is important. So today, we’d like to make a call for designer talent. For the second year, we’ve joined Core77 and its design community to organize the “App to the Future” challenge.
Whether you are a developer with great design skills or a professional designer, this is for you.
If you are “just” a developer without the great design skills, keep reading. There is still something for you!
Windows Phone “App to the Future” Design Challenge
We are asking you to imagine an app that helps you create, connect, or delight your future self. This year, we’ve picked three categories that App to the Futuresubmissions should be inspired by:
- Design to Do
- Design to Connect
- Design to Delight
To participate in the challenge, you must submit a design concept by February 3, 2013. It doesn’t need to be a fully functioning app. A great mockup, images, brilliant napkin sketches, or a video will do. Judges will look at the originality of the idea and how you blend your creativity with the Windows Phone design language to make their decision.
30 finalists will be selected, then the judges will chose 5 winners who will receive a Microsoft Surface, a Windows Phone 8 and 1-year Dev Center membership. Official rules are on the “App to the Future” site.
Sounds intimidating? Don’t know where to start?
Don’t give up, keep reading!
Windows Phone Design Boot Camp
Learning the basic principles and concepts you need to design great Windows Phone apps is super important. A great place to start is the new Windows Phone Dev Center, which includes a full Design section. It’s your starting point and a continual reference to come back to, again and again.
Additionally, we’ve created a special “Windows Phone Design Boot CampVideo Series”to help you get up to speed. The series, presented by seasoned designer Jared Potter (@jaredtpotter), will help you learn how fundamental principles and specialized practices culminate in beautiful Windows Phone 8 application designs – giving you the insight needed to help your app stand out in a crowd.
Still not confident you can make it?
Hold on, we can help!
Lightning Design Reviews
Whether you are competing in the “App to the Future” Challenge and want to increase your chances of winning or just trying to improve your existing apps, this is a great opportunity for you to make adjustments based on feedback from pro designers.
You’ll gain insight on how your app can better match Windows Phone UI and Design Language standards. We’ll discuss typeface and color usage, iconography, layout, user flow, and more. So don’t wait; review sessions take place every Thursday at 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time .
Don’t wait! Register!
So, are you ready to impress your future self?
JC Cimetiere
@jccim