#superbeta

Source : vintagevideobasement

Whoops, super overdue for an update!

Winter was slow for us, everyone took a break from the proj for family, work, and other things. We're back on track, though. Here's the latest:

Ramsel finished development on the "gather" app! This'll be the mechanism for collecting data and pics in the field and will tie into the full version of SuperBeta once the database is finalized. Here's a quick look at the UI...

The full iOS version of SuperBeta is still under development, although Bill's done a lot to complete the menu structure and layers of info screens already! 

James, Liz, and Ramsel just got back from an epic trip to Red Rocks. I visited Bishop for the first time ever this weekend (see above for my reaction shot) and climbed a bit in the Philippines last month (holy shit DWS is terrifying). Planning a few more trips this year: Red Rocks, Utah (#crackaddict), Yosemite, Bishop (!!!), and hopefully Hawaii again.  Thoughts: after visiting Bishop and documenting maybe 1% of Happy Boulders, thinking about the sheer amount of data needed for SuperBeta has me a little worried. Long term, we want the majority to be user-generated content. However, to get there, we need content to start with and to make SuperBeta worthwhile. I really want to figure out a good method of collaborating with area developers and guide book authors. #todolist

Have you seen Boulder Problems? Amazing web app and looks like it has some great potential. The data visualization in your profile is super fun to see. This is def what we want to offer with SuperBeta, too. Wondering if we can plan out a collaboration with Zac, the dev behind the scenes on BP... 

What's the difference between designing for mobile versus designing for the web? 

Someone asked me this recently, and it left me pondering for quite a bit. Screen size? I guess that's an obvious point. Designs have already changed as monitor and laptop screens have grown, but this doesn't necessarily translate to a well designed mobile experience. 

What else varies? The type of interaction, for one. Swiping and tapping have replaced the mouse clicks of old, requiring a deeper level of detail and texture to provide the kind of intuitive interactions a mobile app really benefits from.

The fundamental difference I find myself thinking of most, though, is context. This matters especially while designing the screens for SuperBeta: 

What's the most important thing to display while you're out on the trail looking for a rock, and what's the easiest way to access it? 

Which pieces of information help you make a quick choice on deciding what to climb next, when you're at the crag and ready to go? 

And alternately, what in-depth content is both useful and engaging, for when you're at home planning a weekend trip? 

I think the route screen alone has gone through at least five revisions thus far. Maybe I'm just being a perfectionist, but I can't wait to get this right.