How much time for design?

Imran Hussain — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:19:04 +0000

I was recently talking to someone about time estimates for designing an iPhone application. I was of the view that a minimum of 30-40% the total development time should be allocated to design, whereas the other person was of the view that only 5-10% was necessary. My estimate was based on my experience as a design practitioner, keeping in mind the issues involved in creating a good user experience, whereas the other person’s estimate was based on his primary background as a software programmer.

For iPhone/iPod Touch applications, Apple recommends that you spend approximately 60% of your time on design.

Apple recommendations:

- Design 60%
- Code 15%
- Debug 15%
- Test 10%

Design is not just about making pretty icons and graphics – it’s much more than that. The design process is comprised of four primary phases:

- Familiarize
- Conceptualize
- Realize
- Finalize

In traditional approaches for software development on mobile platforms, typically 5% of the development time is spent on design.

Typical software development approaches:

- Design 5%
- Code 45%
- Debug 25%
- Test 25%

To me, Apple’s 60% recommendation for design is not at all a surprise. To create a truly amazing application with a great user experience requires considerable effort and focus. The alternative – with 5% design effort – invariable results in mediocrity and a lame product, and is typical of software engineers’ philosophy of build first and fix/design later approach.

[via iPhone User Interface Design podcast]

Experience Matters » Touchscreen

How much time for design?