One year Build concepts

Already more than a year I do concepts for 1800pocketpc.com. I want to thank Saijo for the opportunity that gave me, as well as all readers of the blog for their support and criticism.

Approximately one year ago I did my first concept – for Skype. Since then many things have changed, I changed my style and way of working. Making concepts is not an easy job, because in addition to the design of the interface and graphic elements they must be combined with useful and interesting features. Often, these features are my ideas and are sometimes are practically unenforceable because of the limitations of the platform. Some of the concepts are ready for days, others ripen for weeks. Very often happens to rework my concepts, because in the course of my work, get new ideas – better, or I’m just not happy with the end result. And it is therefore sometimes (quite often) I am not ready with concepts of time, for which I sincerely apologize to Saijo :(. Often I overloaded with additional work, which combined with my regular job frequent brings me sleepless nights. But I’m not complaining, I’m glad when I am ready to work.

The concepts are quite varied and with different sources of inspiration. Some of them are ideas of Saijo, others are responding to existing applications for other mobile platforms, but without the version for Windows Phone, and there is also a redesign of already existing applications for Windows Phone. You can see the complete list of all my concepts until now below. Some of them are good, others not so much – here is your place – the readers to say what is good and what is not. I love the criticism – that it is the one that moves the progress and makes things better.

Making the concepts I try to follow Design Guidelines for Windows Phone, but sometimes I just ignore it. Always try to keep the main idea of the Metro UI, and to use new, unique and memorable items depending on the idea and the functions of the application. Agree that it would be too boring if everything looks one way and all applications seem to be with the same design? The secret is to make unique looking application, while maintaining the idea and mode of operation of the Metro UI – modern, clean, light and open design with no shadows, glows or gradients.

It happened to receive criticism that a vision or a graphic element is not in Metro UI – I’m agree. Moderate and proper use of such elements is permissible in my opinion – of course it depends on many things. Metro (modern interface) does not always mean to use only squares and a few colors. You just have to feel the right approach and combination of graphic elements. I am very glad that the ideas of the Metro UI partially perceived well and from the newer versions of Android OS. Android is still far from unique and sexy look of Windows Phone, but is light years from the skeuomorph interface of the iOS. More about this as well you can read in my recent article of Windows Phone design and evolution.

Ideas are more important, and more precisely the original ideas for the application itself, and ideas for existing applications, too. I would be happy to whoever shared idea for future concept, criticism or just wants to comment here or on my public mails – yanko.and@gmail.com and yankoa@1800pocketpc.com

Once again I want to thank Saijo, the team and to all readers of the site. Let’s hope that the concepts will become increasingly better and to see more of them realized.

If you missed any of the concepts, here’s a complete list until now:

Skype
Metro Explorer
My Library – concept e-reader for Windows Phone
Paypal
Notification center
Bussines card reader
Home Control
Urban Radio
File Explorer
Google apps
Car control
The 1800PocketPC app Next Level concept
Greeting cards
Customize me
AppTastic – The Next level concept
Public transport
Metro Cam – advanced camera concept application
Smart Actions
Google plus
London 2012 Olympic
Metro reimagined
Viber
Instagram
Nook reader
Windows Live Store – concept for new Marketplace
Draw Creative – Note pad and freehand drawing concept
Skype integrated throughout Windows Phone – concept 2.0
Nokia Navigation Concept – Drive, Maps, Transit and City lens in one place
Nokia Music
Weave news reader
Windows Phone design, evolution and future concepts
Office Next for Windows Phone
Google Chrome for WP