MOBILE APPS ASSIGNMENT 1
Assignment overview
In this assignment I have been asked to evaluate a range of mobile apps, mine will be Instagram and
Snapchat. They have also asked me to illustrate my evaluation with a number of examples comparing
different apps and different implementations of the same app.
App 1: Instagram
App 2: Snapchat
Explain how the purpose of a mobile app (Instagram) and the needs, preferences and
characteristics of the user, affect its design and the provided features.
What is the purpose of a mobile app?
An application, also known as app, is a type of application software/hardware that is designed to be
compatible on a mobile device like a tablet or smartphone. Mobile phone applications are typically used
to give users access to similar services to what can be accessed on Personal Computers.
What is the purpose of Instagram?
Instagram is a free photo and video sharing app. People can upload photos or videos to our service and
share them with their followers or with a select group of friends.
What is the purpose of Snapchat?
Snapchat goals as an application is to empower people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn
about the world, and have fun together.
How does the purpose of Instagram affect its design?
The purpose of Instagram affects its design by having something that allows the use of taking the
photos with a camera and needing it for the video sharing alongside a microphone. There are two ways
to take a photo nowadays, within Instagram the simplest way is to click a big white button which will
either have the camera facing you or what’s behind your phone (the background). The other way to take
a photo is a bit more advanced but it takes no real memory to remember how to do this, this is by
clicking the turn off/on button and volume up or down on your phone together at the same time which
, will take a picture of either your mobile screen if you're not on a camera, or if you are on your Instagram
camera ready to take a photo it should do so.
How does the purpose of Instagram affect its features?
Starting Instagram’s purpose of free photo and video sharing requires the app to have a ‘access to
photos from the camera roll’ feature or a ‘Take a photo’ feature to complete the beginning of even
being able to share a photo. Once you have either chosen or taken a photo you proceed to a publishing
screen which you add multiple things such as: location, description, tags and more. After doing all the
main things, you simply click ‘post’ which then gets shared to either everyone on Instagram or privately
to people you have chosen to only have access to view it.
Who are Instagrams target audience?
Instagrams target audience is a group of individuals that you want to reach with your Instagram
marketing efforts. Mainly audience to Millennial or Gen Z users (Anyone over the age of 13).
How does the target audience of Instagram affect its design?
I think the target audience affects the design based on how they can increase the marketing for their
own company and make it the largest platform as everyone tries to promote themselves in some way.
How does the target audience of Instagram affect its features?
Instagram has many features, these features include:
▪ Create reels. (fun, entertaining videos)
▪ Share stories (post moments of your life everyday)
▪ Start a conversation with ‘Messenger’. Send photos, videos, messages privately to friends.
Instagram also has accessibility features (that help with taking or uploading photos):
▪ Optimizing color contrast – mostly for the color-blind to help with recognition of the photo
posted.
▪ Add subtitles - which explain what the photo is.
▪ Hashtags in comments – provides that extra bit of help for people who use screen readers.
▪ Limit usage of emojis – emojis are a great way to communicate in a universal way.
The target audience contributes within the design of the application itself in a way where Instagram has
to find the most efficient but effective way to take and post pictures. To take the pictures they have
added a big ‘white button’ once you enter the ‘take a photo’ section during the development process
which allows you to take a picture from either your back or front camera which you have the choice of
within the ‘flip camera’ feature. And, within the posting feature they added a icon button which allows
you to post any photo you already have within your library or you can take one right on the spot.
How does the preferences of Instagram affect its design?
Studies show that almost half of people’s preference on stories results in a helpful manner. They say it
improves communication with friends and family on social media.
Assignment overview
In this assignment I have been asked to evaluate a range of mobile apps, mine will be Instagram and
Snapchat. They have also asked me to illustrate my evaluation with a number of examples comparing
different apps and different implementations of the same app.
App 1: Instagram
App 2: Snapchat
Explain how the purpose of a mobile app (Instagram) and the needs, preferences and
characteristics of the user, affect its design and the provided features.
What is the purpose of a mobile app?
An application, also known as app, is a type of application software/hardware that is designed to be
compatible on a mobile device like a tablet or smartphone. Mobile phone applications are typically used
to give users access to similar services to what can be accessed on Personal Computers.
What is the purpose of Instagram?
Instagram is a free photo and video sharing app. People can upload photos or videos to our service and
share them with their followers or with a select group of friends.
What is the purpose of Snapchat?
Snapchat goals as an application is to empower people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn
about the world, and have fun together.
How does the purpose of Instagram affect its design?
The purpose of Instagram affects its design by having something that allows the use of taking the
photos with a camera and needing it for the video sharing alongside a microphone. There are two ways
to take a photo nowadays, within Instagram the simplest way is to click a big white button which will
either have the camera facing you or what’s behind your phone (the background). The other way to take
a photo is a bit more advanced but it takes no real memory to remember how to do this, this is by
clicking the turn off/on button and volume up or down on your phone together at the same time which
, will take a picture of either your mobile screen if you're not on a camera, or if you are on your Instagram
camera ready to take a photo it should do so.
How does the purpose of Instagram affect its features?
Starting Instagram’s purpose of free photo and video sharing requires the app to have a ‘access to
photos from the camera roll’ feature or a ‘Take a photo’ feature to complete the beginning of even
being able to share a photo. Once you have either chosen or taken a photo you proceed to a publishing
screen which you add multiple things such as: location, description, tags and more. After doing all the
main things, you simply click ‘post’ which then gets shared to either everyone on Instagram or privately
to people you have chosen to only have access to view it.
Who are Instagrams target audience?
Instagrams target audience is a group of individuals that you want to reach with your Instagram
marketing efforts. Mainly audience to Millennial or Gen Z users (Anyone over the age of 13).
How does the target audience of Instagram affect its design?
I think the target audience affects the design based on how they can increase the marketing for their
own company and make it the largest platform as everyone tries to promote themselves in some way.
How does the target audience of Instagram affect its features?
Instagram has many features, these features include:
▪ Create reels. (fun, entertaining videos)
▪ Share stories (post moments of your life everyday)
▪ Start a conversation with ‘Messenger’. Send photos, videos, messages privately to friends.
Instagram also has accessibility features (that help with taking or uploading photos):
▪ Optimizing color contrast – mostly for the color-blind to help with recognition of the photo
posted.
▪ Add subtitles - which explain what the photo is.
▪ Hashtags in comments – provides that extra bit of help for people who use screen readers.
▪ Limit usage of emojis – emojis are a great way to communicate in a universal way.
The target audience contributes within the design of the application itself in a way where Instagram has
to find the most efficient but effective way to take and post pictures. To take the pictures they have
added a big ‘white button’ once you enter the ‘take a photo’ section during the development process
which allows you to take a picture from either your back or front camera which you have the choice of
within the ‘flip camera’ feature. And, within the posting feature they added a icon button which allows
you to post any photo you already have within your library or you can take one right on the spot.
How does the preferences of Instagram affect its design?
Studies show that almost half of people’s preference on stories results in a helpful manner. They say it
improves communication with friends and family on social media.
