New Smart Stacks flash card iPad app
Our new iPad application, Smart Stacks, is available ($1.99)!
My colleague and friend, developer John Blanco (Rapture in Venice), and myself, have just completed a new iPad application called Smart Stacks.
This application is focused around education and children. This isn’t the first flash card-based application, but after reviewing some of the existing ones, we felt there was some room for improvements to this arena.
This application is based on digital metaphor of the traditional flash card model. Using visual image and word association to teach and learn. Currently, we have decks featuring alphabet, numbers, animals, and foods.
We really wanted to focus on the user, be it a 35 year old mom or dad, or a 3 year old child. Now, not many 3 year olds have iPads, but there are plenty parents that do. Many more children are being exposed to technology and devices at earlier ages as these items become more common in daily life and activities. By considering the user personas, we wanted to provide a really simple and easy-to-use application.
Streamlining the UI and reducing the clutter of unnecessary complex features, allowed us to make an application that helps steer the user to the primary objective of the application, which is interacting/playing with the flash cards. We wanted the path of least resistance to get the user to the play view, even if they are 3 years of age, as long as they interact with the objects on screen, they will end up in the play view. Navigation is also provided as a simple and minimal “back button.” The user can always get back to the main menu when needed and without a focus detouring or UI obstructing navigation.
Another feature I’d like to point out is the multi-language support. The application has built-in localization support for up to 7 languages: English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Russian and Greek.
Alongside localization, we wanted to add to the educational aspect of this application by utilizing the multi-language support to allow for translation and multi-language teaching also. This is the other UI element on the screen, and it provides a menu of languages to select from. This can be done on-the-fly and from wherever they are in the play view, so the user doesn’t have to interrupt their flow.
As for the visual design, we wanted to make this have a very analog, classic feel, like if you found a flash card deck in your granny’s attic. Although some younger users may not perceive the feel as “vintage,” we wanted to deviate from a modern technical direction to a feel that is more traditional. We also wanted to use hand drawn illustrations instead of photos, to help emphasize the features of the subjects and provide a more unique and fun visual experience.
John Blanco provided great insight to make this application happen, with his iPhone development experience and direct user feedback. We worked on the interaction architecture together making sure that both of our knowledge and perspectives were considered in the creation of this app. John is a great developer to work with, helping make the stereotypical developer/designer challenges non-existent. I also provided the visual design and illustrations.
We do have a list of features for a following version, but we would still love to hear feedback. I’m sure the App Store reviews will provide honest feedback and criticism.
It’s priced at only: $1.99!
You can check it out at the App Store: Click Here
Visit:
SmartStacks
