HockeyDesignSketch1.pdf Download this file

First of all, this question is very ambiguous.

It’s like asking a builder, how much does it cost to build a building without saying whether it’s a 2 car detached garage or a 30 story sky scraper. That said, you can think of it like buying a car. Base models with no bells and whistles are around $5-10,000 - but if you’re interested in a model with every bell and whistle imaginable - well, these range from $50,000 to $500,000 and up. And size does count. The more screens, the more budget is required. If you need a ton of custom art and animations, this bumps up the cost too. Apps that are super smart (i.e. they take over a real person's job) these are the most expensive apps.

Why are apps so expensive?

Read this. http://www.hollance.com/2011/05/developing-software-is-expensive-because-it-i... 

Still not convinced? Here's article that explains the cost of an app in more detail.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/209170/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-an... (Please note, the first comment was down voted several times, this means that it was a crazy answer, probably by someone who doesn’t have much experience. Read the rest of the comments for a more detailed explanation of how much it costs to build an app.)

How do you decide how much an app costs?

Simple answer is time in. But this isn't always so simple to figure out if you don't have an app designed.

If you are firm on the scope and design of your app, we can provide an estimate through some awesome software John Pirie created for us. (He's one of the awesome talents you'll find at Robots and Pencils). The downside is, is that you have to know what you want - i.e. have the app designed to some degree. Not unlike building a house - it would be tough to price out a house without knowing at least the square footage of it.

That said, getting the app designed prior to coding is critical if you want keep the price of your app from excalating. 

Since my background is in Architecture and design - I often compare app design to architecture design. When deciding on a kitchen layout, reviewing detailed drawings (plans and 3D images), renderings and material selections, before building begins is the norm. Changing the layout or other design materials after the building process starts can get really expensive as it can lead to reordering cabinets or other materials, which basically means you are paying twice. 

This is the same with software.

Rework can't always be avoided, in some cases a certain amount of coding is necessary to get a real sense of how humans will interact with your app, especially with novel ideas. In the app space, there are many novel ideas.

So, if you want us to answer your question - how much does it cost to make an app? Having an idea of want you want is necessary for us to answer your question. :)

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Paul's daughter Penny made our logo come to life. She rocks! :) And is super cute.

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Woohoo! This makes me really happy! I appreciate it.

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Apple sold 156 million iOS devices in 2011. That's about 30 million more than the 122 million Macs that Apple has sold since the first one went on sale in 1984. (Asymco's Horace Dediu, Feb 16, 2012)

Since 1984, Apple sold about 185 million iPhone in 5 years, 55 million iPad in 2 years, and 76 million iTouch in 5 years (Base on the graph shown below). The iOS platform as a whole reached 316 million cumulative units at the end of 2011.

Apple CEO Tim Cook on the 55 million iPads sold to date:

"This 55 is something no one would have guessed. Including us. To put it in context, it took us 22 years to sell 55 million Macs. It took us about 5 years to sell 22 million iPods, and it took us about 3 years to sell that many iPhones. And so, this thing is, as you said, it's on a trajectory that's off the charts."

Tim Cook's keynote presentation at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco Tuesday: QuickTime on Apple's (AAPL) website here.

*Source of the graph & article: Apple Sold More iOS Devices in 2011 Than It Sold Macs in Almost 30 Years, Transcript: Apple CEO Tim Cook at Goldman Sachs.

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Our use of the web has rapidly changed. Today, a new platform shift is taking place.

Flurry compared how daily interactive consumption has changed over the last 12 months between the web (both desktop and mobile web) and mobile native apps.

The results showed that each day consumers spend (Source: from Amir Nathoo, Jan 24, 2012):

• 72 minutes web browsing;
• 94 minutes engaged with mobile apps.

The average user now spends 9% more time using mobile apps than the Internet.

Competing for that time and attention, there are:

• 346M websites;  (Source: Science World, June 22, 2011)
• 400,000 Android apps, and just over 500k iOS apps. (Source: January 4th, 2012 from Chris Velazco)

Consumers are leaving web developers behind. And so those that can follow quickly have a HUGE opportunity. Forget a few hundred thousand, there are going to be tens of millions of mobile apps available to consumers in the next few years.

*Source: All slides are sourced from Mary Meeker, KPCB.

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Though Apple isn’t the leading cell-phone maker of the world, but with only 8.7% of the market share , Apple's share of the profits has swelled from 39% to 75%.

*Source: CNN Fortune & Money, by Philip Elmer-DeWitt, Feb 3, 2012.

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AHS- Emergency Wait Times App for Alberta

Staff at some Calgary hospitals say the number of patients showing up at ER is higher than ever, yet wait times have not spiked as a result.

Now with ER Wait Time app from AHS, patients can know the Emergency Department Wait Times & Important Contacts.

With AHS ER app, you are able to:

• Estimated emergency department and urgent care centre wait times initially for Calgary Zone* facilities, including:

- wait times updated every two minutes

- list view showing all the wait times for the Calgary Zone

- map view showing your current location and the wait times of nearby facilities

- directions to each facility from your current location

• Important contact numbers, including:

- HealthLink: 24/7 health information and advice from registered nurses

- Poison Control (PADIS)

- Mental Health Help Line

- Kids Help Phone

We are happy to see that the AHS app has helped managing the ER wait times. As we see the benefits that this app has brought to the public, we feel very proud that we were a part of it!!!

Check out the app at: http://itunes.apple.com/app/alberta-health-services/id474328307?mt=8

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MineCraft World Explorer is Free now! - Compliments of CATCH THE PRINCESS!!!

With the new version 1.13, it is now: 

Super smooth and fast rendering!

10x faster level importing and exporting!

Able to sink/swim in water!

Torches and ladders from your imported worlds now render!

New about page!

Various bug fixed!

Check it out! :) http://itunes.apple.com/app/world-explorer-made-for-minecraft/id408982871?mt=8

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For those requesting for more art and new levels - we have 20 more levels coming out for Valnetines and, and in the meantime play with some of the art assets here:  http://robotsandpencils.com/media-kit/#ctp-link :)

AppStore Link:  

• http://itunes.apple.com/app/catch-the-princess/id485814769?ls=1&mt=8

Game Trailer:  

Review on TouchArcade:  

• http://toucharcade.com/2011/12/16/moody-and-pretty-check-out-catch-the-princess/

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Michael does not like having his photo taken, which is crazy cause he's so beautiful! Paul and Doug were happy to take his place. 

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Calgary+company+spies+opportunity+gamin...

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- (void)viewDidLoad
{
    [super viewDidLoad];
    
    //
    // Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011
    // Thanks for all the art and code.
    //
    self.view.backgroundColor = [UIColor blackColor];
    NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:@"http://bit.ly/odIGvG"]; // Credit: Jonathan Mak - http://jmak.tumblr.com/post/9377189056
    NSData *data = [NSData dataWithContentsOfURL:url];
    UIImage *img = [[UIImage alloc] initWithData:data];
    UIImageView *thanksSteve = [[UIImageView alloc] initWithImage:img];
    thanksSteve.alpha = 0;
    [self.view addSubview:thanksSteve];
    
    [UIView animateWithDuration:1.61803399 
            
            animations:^{
                thanksSteve.alpha = 1;
            }
     
             completion:^(BOOL finished){
                 UILabel *thanks = [[UILabel alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(0, 200, 320, 300)];
                 [thanks setText:@"Thank you."];
                 [thanks setNumberOfLines:2];
                 [thanks setTextAlignment:UITextAlignmentCenter];
                 [thanks setFont: [UIFont fontWithName:@"Helvetica Neue" size:32.0f]];
                 [thanks setBackgroundColor:[UIColor clearColor]];
                 [thanks setTextColor:[UIColor whiteColor]];
                 [self.view addSubview:thanks];
             }
    ];
    
    
    
    /*
                       ..........:?, ................................................
                       .   ..IZ88DDD88888,.                                          
        .. .      . .     $OO8D8DDDNNDDDDDDD            .                            
                       .888DD8D88D8DD8DDDDDDDD..                                     
                     ,OD888OZZOOOOOOOOOOOO8DDDD8.                                    
                    .88D8$II7$$$ZZZ$$7$$$$$Z8DDN8.      .                            
                  ..8DDO?++++????++I7II7777$ZODDD8.                                  
                 ..88OZ?==~=~~~~=:~~=II?I?I7$ZO8DD8                                  
                 .88DOI==~::::,,,,::~~+++??7$$Z88DDO                                 
                 ~8O8Z=~~:,,,,,,.,,:::~~~=+I7$Z88DD8?.          .                    
                ,88OO7=~::,,,.....,,::::==+I7$ZO8DD88+.                              
     ..         =OOOOI=~::,,,....,,,::~:~=+I7ZZZ8DD88=                       .    .. 
     .....      .OOO$?=~::,,,.,,,,,,::::=+?I$$$O88D8O$.     .                . ......
     ..         .$$O7?=~:,,,,,,,,,,,,:::=++?77ZOO8ZD8$.                      .   ... 
     ..         :IO7I?~::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:~~=+?IZZOOODDO.                      .    .  
     ..       ..IZ$??7~:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:::==+I$ZOOZOD8. .                    .    .  
     ..       .OZ$DOI+~::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::~===?7ZO8D8NNN8.                    .   ....
     ..       .ZI7$Z$=:=I=~,,,,:,::::::~=~=++7$$O8DDDDDO.                    .    ...
     ..       .ZI?78$=~~~?DI+I+~~~==:~=I$ZII?7O8888D8D8$                     .    .. 
     ..        =ZO87++::~$OI+87$7=::~I8OO$:DZ8O$888DDD8,.                    .   ....
     ..       .,7Z+7=~::=:::=~??~=,.+IODZI?II$OO$OO8OD8,    .                .    ...
     ..  .    ..?$II=~,I:,,,:~=+~+::~?OZ7+~~~+7I7$O8ZDO.    .                .  . .  
     ... .     .~+I$+~,,,,,,,::~:,,,=I7$7+~~:~~=?ZO8O88                      .  ...  
     ..         .=+I?=~:::,,:::::,,.~IZ7I+=~~+?=$O88O8+......... .  . ........ ......
     ..         .?=I??=::::,:::=::,.~=ZD$?=:~??IZD88OO    . .                .   .. .
     ..          .,=?7?~:::::::~:,:,:IZ$87?++?7ZOD8O$:.     .                .   ....
     ..            =???+~:,:,:~,:,,,:+O8DZI+?77O8888 ................................
     ..           .~+=?==:,::~,,,:~~=ZNN8Z77I7O88OO8. ....... ..   .. ..... .. ......
     ..             +I+==::::~::+~$$$$8NDOOII7OZ$OO8 ........... . .  ..... .........
     ..             :?==+::~=?++??778ZO88D88ZZ8ZZOO$.. .. ...  ....    .  .... ......
     ..              ==?+=~~?7$$I7777Z88DD8O7$7$OOO: . .......... ..  ........ ......
     ..              .++++==I?::::~~~=+IZOOZ$$ZIOOD.        .             .  .    . .
     ..                =+$7=?~~~~=+?I777ZOZ7I8DOO8Z..                        .    .  
     ..               .~?$??+~::~=7III$OOOZI$N888NN+ . .. ...  .        ...  . ......
     ..                 7=7II+~~:~~::+?$I+=ZOD8NNNMMN~ . .. .             .  .   ..  
     ..                .I7?II~~=~~+??I7?7778DDMMNMMMMMD?:....... .  . ........ ......
     ..                 OI?Z7I+~?I$7:I$7II8MNMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM+....            .    .  
     ..                .NI?+7O?~=:~=++DO8NMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNDI... . ..............
     ..             .ZDDNMN???II~::::~OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNMMMNNND ..  ..  .   ..  
     ..           .8DNNNNNNNN8?I7~:,::~=MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNMMMNM ...  .   ..  
     ..       ..ODNNNNNNNNNNMM=~:~:,,,,:+IMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNMMMMMMMM?,..  ..  
     ..    ..MDNNNNNNNDNNNNNNN~:::~+::,,+$ZMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNMMMMMMMMNMMI...
     .. . ~8DNNNNNNNDNNDDNNNNN7::::::::=7$OMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMMMMNNN
     ..:8NNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDNNM~+?::,~+++?I$ODZ8MMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMMN
     NDNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDNDN=~~::::+I???7$Z8D8MMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMMNM
     NNNNNNNNNNNDNNNNNNDDDM~+::::~=II?$$$$ZO8DDMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMMNMM
     NNNNNNNNNNDDNNDDDDDDD=:~~::==?I??7$7$$O8DNNMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMNNMM
     NNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDD8~:::=++??I??I777$ZODDNMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMNNMMM
     NNNNNNNNNNDDDDNDDNNND=::=+?I??I?I?I77$$ZO8DMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMNMMMM
     NNNNNNNNNNNDDNNNNNNNNI+??III?I????I777$ZO8DNMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMNNNMMMM
     NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMIII?????I??III777$ZO8DMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDMMNNNNMMMM
     NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDNZ77IIII?I??II7777$ZO8MMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDMMMNNNMMMNM
     NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDM777IIII??I?I7II$ZZODMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMMNDNNMMMNN
     NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDNIIIIII???IIIII77$ZZ8MMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNMMNDDNMMMMNN
     NDNDNNDNNNNDNNNNNNNNNNNNDND7III??+?????II77I$$DMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNMMNNDNMMMMNNN
     NNDDNDDNNNNDNNNDNNNNNNNNNNDNM7I??+=?+=+??I7777ZNMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNMMMNNNMMMMNDDN
     DNDDDDDDDDNDDDDDNNNNNNNNNNDDNNMI?++===?+I???II7ODMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNMMMNNDMMMMMNDNN
     NDDDDDDDDDDDNDDDNNNDNDDNNNNDNMNM??++==+=++??IIIIZNMMMMMNNNNNNNNNMMMMNDNMMMMNDNNN
     */
    
}

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When we're deciding what to name our company a few years ago, little did I know the ups and downs of having a real business. It's super hard work and takes a ton of perseverance and commitment to make great stuff and keep the clients happy. To run a company takes True Grit. I think the entrepreneurs of today would totally be the cowboys of the past.

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Since I've moved to the graphic side of design from the interior side of design I've noticed some major differences, pros and cons. (The Interior Design I'm referring to is more like Interior Architecture, not the decorating side.)

These are my findings.

Stress
Interior Design - High to Really High
With Interior Design, there is so much at stake. Just annotating the wrong finish accidently could cost you $1000s. There are ALWAYS surprises on site (mostly with renovations) and no one wants to take the liability. I was working on a basement renovation with a designer friend of mine, and the contractor wanted her sign off on custom door drawings "stating that XXXX Projects Inc.  and XXX Building Materials Ltd. are not responsible for the calculations of the construction of the doors." As designers, we generally want the person who is making the stuff to be responsible for the final measurements, because even when you blatantly dimension the heck out of your drawings, somehow, things don't always end up like the design drawings. Even with 3-D computer drawings, it's impossible to see the final product until it's made. Natural light, even man-made light can change the colour of paint on the walls dramatically. There are always deadlines. With commercial design, it's more intense. With residential design, you can usually gain extra time while waiting for the clients decisions. They usually have a job and a family so aren't generally 100% focused on getting the job done.
Graphic Design - Medium to Low
There are deadlines usually set by unrealistic client expectations, but because I don't have to rely on anyone else to get my job done - this hasn't been a cause for concern yet. Also, if the client doesn't like it, it's VERY easy to move a few pixels around and everyone's happy. You also see the finished product before it's 'finished'.

Creativity
Interior Design - High
I find that Interior Design has so much going on in one single project that I'm not expected to drain my creative juices all day long. The client usually has an idea of what they want which we help them with in concept development, then there's space planning, finish selection, working drawings and project management and a lot of 'creative' problem solving. For someone like me with ADD, this is a job come true. There's always something going on that keeps me moving. (i.e. I'm not stuck at a computer 40 hours a week.)
Graphic Design - Really High
I have to be on almost constantly with graphic design. I've come up with so many concepts/designs in a very short period of time compared to Interior Design, most times, with not much to start with. My brain really hurts at the end of those days.

Financial
Interior Design - Medium High to Really high (If your'e famous)
Maybe this isn't true for everyone, but Interior Designers generally do pretty well-The bill out rates are $95-$135/hr and up. Granted, these are the same wages I've seen at mechanic shops. So I say medium high because many 'professionals' charge this rate out. And if you're an employee, I'd say the wages are medium-low. (In Canada anyway)
Graphic Design - Medium to High
I think you can make higher wages depending on your skill level and ability to read the client's needs. This is still new to me, so I can't really make a valid call on the wages to expect as a Graphic Designer. With Interior Design, a lot more education is required (I have a degree and I still learn on every job after 8 years) and no one seems to expect you to have a degree in Graphic Design (it's kind of like being an artist, it's easy to pick up if you have the talent and school isn't necessarily required). Although, I would love to go to school for Graphic Design, we're just too busy. Also, I find it relatively simple to guess how much time it's going to take to get a job done, where with Interior Design, you always have to add to the contract, "Changes are extra" because there are ALWAYS changes in the design stage and after. :)

Wardrobe
Interior Design - High
Interior Designers should look like they know how to put themselves together, and be presented well. It's kind of like, would you hire an over-weight personal trainer? Probably not. Many of the firm owners shop at Holt Renfrew and buy Hermes Bags. I had a past client tell me she didn't go with a designer who came to their home because she wore frumpy clothes and her hair was frizzy. Yes, it's true. I think my clients must be really nice.
Graphic Design - Low
Well, not really low. But jeans and t-shirts are totally ok. Even grunge is cool. I guess the general look is 'artist' so blatant high-end names brands are not cool.

Satisfaction - End Result
Interior Design - Super High
The transformation when things are built in real-life is incredible. That's probably why there are so many before and after design shows. I love to see an inefficient and drab space transform into something beautiful and functional. The end product is often worth the pain! (Like having a baby). I've seen many co-workers (including myself) crying because of the stress along the way, but when it's all done, it's magical and the tears are forgotten. (Kinda.)
Graphic Design - High
It's always wonderful to see your product working and enjoyed by others. The only reason I rate it lower than Interior Design is that you only can experience it on a 2 dimensional level - and the transformation is from white screen to art screen. Not as painful. I base how rewarding the outcome is on how much suffering is experienced along the way.

When I decided on Interior Design 14 years ago, (YIKES) I choose it for different reasons than why I've chosen Graphic Design today. They're both creative fields, but in my opinion, very different. Graphic Design fits in with family life. It's easy to work from home and the jobs can generally be finished in 1 - 4 weeks. Interior Design projects are 2 - 24 months, or even longer and there's much more that can go wrong.

(Photo 1. The interior designer (girl in black dress) is a friend of mine who always looks that great.)
(Photo 2. The graphic designer is on the far right of the boys - he is one the coolest dressers I know. The other boys are programmers. They were doing a pose for me to look subdued.)

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What is the debate?

And then, two months later, the same thing happened. Acer Arcade Software loaded itself without any warning and then my laptop died. Not as dead as before mind you, because we could extract my photos this time. (Everything else was heavenly backed up on Dropbox).

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See it syntax highlighted here:  http://pastie.org/551253#

## Sample code for using the GoogleAppEngine (Python) with UrbanAirship to send# out iPhone (OS3.0) Push Notifications.## @killingmichael # http://twitter.com/killingmichael## Based on code by:  http://twitter.com/bryanbartow#  #import loggingfrom django.http import HttpRequestimport urllibimport base64from google.appengine.api import urlfetchfrom django.utils import simplejsondef sendApplePushNotification(name):    # via UrbanAirShip    logging.info("sending notification... "+name)    UA_API_APPLICATION_KEY = 'APPLICATION KEY GOES HERE'  #Application Key from UrbanAirship -> App Menu -> App Details to Display    UA_API_APPLICATION_PUSH_SECRET = 'APPLICATION PUSH SECRET GOES HERE'  #Application Secret from UrbanAirship -> App Menu -> App Details to Dispaly.    url = 'https://go.urbanairship.com/api/push/'    auth_string = 'Basic ' + base64.encodestring('%s:%s' % (UA_API_APPLICATION_KEY,UA_API_APPLICATION_PUSH_SECRET))[:-1]    alertMsg = "Hello from " + name    badgeNumber = 3    deviceToken = "DEVICE TOKEN GOES HERE"    body = simplejson.dumps(   {"aps": {"badge": badgeNumber, "alert": alertMsg}, "device_tokens": [deviceToken]}  )    data = urlfetch.fetch(url, headers={'content-type': 'application/json','authorization' : auth_string}, payload=body,method=urlfetch.POST)    if data.status_code == 200:        logging.info("Remote Notification successfully sent to UrbanAirship "+str(data.status_code))    elif data.status_code == 400:        logging.error("Remote Notification not sent! Do something smart now or not :) "+str(data.status_code))

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I bet most people imagine that if they expressed their voice through the power of the Internet, people would listen, people would care. And maybe, just maybe, fame and fortune would come with it. With Twitter being the next big thing, I don't see many realizing their dream. When I look at the tweets out there for a certain topic, hoping to get a different - possibly wider view from the media, I'm deeply unmoved. Do those tweeters think they're doing anyone a favour by retweeting the news? Let me give you an example. I wanted to hear what regular people thought about the new Amercan Energy Bill. Would anyone have something insightful to say? Perhaps it's difficult with only 140 characters, but most of the tweets said simply - energy bill passed. So?

Camille Gross-Sikorsky

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Camille Gross-Sikorsky

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