I often use mockup tools in my line of work, but recently I have turned to designing apps for children. This is a contrast to the apps I usually build and often there are very different requirements. One of the things I have noticed most is that apps for children are often a compliment to a physical toy, book or other activity. I often begin drafting my app with a simple mockup tool so that I can simulate my concepts on the end device. Then I think about how my app could compliment another play activity. Often I include tasks in my app, so that the child has to draw on paper, or build something. I understand that many parents aren’t happy letting their children play with technology without a grasp of the physical word as well.
One of the reasons I like mockup tools is that I can quickly generate designs and make these interactive. Sometimes I draw a sketch on paper and then take a photo of this to upload to my mockup tool. Other times I like to focus on the interaction design, rather than visual elements. Often it is important simply to consider what a child should learn from the app and how this can be made as interesting as possible. Once I have created a few iterations of the app design in my mockup tool, I simulate this on my iPad and see how children of different age groups respond to this. Using mockup tools is in itself a type of child’s play and this is the mindset you need to be in when you are designing for children.