Client Name
Proposal for iPhone App
January 1, 2012
Project Objectives
Develop an iPhone application that [fill in the blank].
Scope
Scope of project and deliverables go here.
App Development Process
Project Setup
If you haven’t already, you’ll need to sign up for an Apple Developer Account. Getting the proper Certificates and Provisioning Profiles can get tricky, so we set aside some time to help you get those items nailed down.
Deliverables:- Apple Developer Account Setup
- Certificate Setup
- Provisioning Profile Creation
- 1 – 4 Weeks (This can vary based on Apple’s response time, but does not keep the project from moving forward. We can begin the project before the developer account has been approved.)
Information Architecture
In designing for mobile devices, planning is key. We must provide the simplest and quickest path to accomplish any given task. Our goal in this phase is to iron out all functionality available and outline exactly how the app works.
Use-Case Scenarios - Defining user goals, what they want to accomplish and how to present the information they need is the purpose of Use-Case Scenarios. We define:
- Who is your audience?
- What do they want for themselves/colleagues/clients?
- What tools can we provide to help them accomplish these goals?
- What action(s) will they want to take or goals will they want to accomplish with the app?
- How can we combine functionality within the app to expedite tasks?
- What content do we need to provide?
Deliverables:
- Audience Definition - minimum 2 audience segments
- Scenarios – minimum 2 scenarios per audience
- 2 – 3 days
Sitemap – Once we’ve defined who will use the app and how, a written outline of functionality and workflow is created. The sitemap describes in written format what kind of functions need to be present and how to categorize that information.
Creating a sitemap also helps us think about specifically what type of content needs to be generated for the app (Ex: imagery, description, recipe name etc.)
Deliverables:- Outline of application functionality in written format
- 4 - 5 Days
Content – For this step in the process, any additional content you want to have in the app must be provided. Having final content will help us iron out any unknowns we might encounter in designing the flow of the app and presenting it to the user.
Client Deliverables:- Provide any content for the app that is not present in the .xls file.
- 3 – 5 days
Wireframes – A visual representation of the sitemap is created in the wireframing phase that includes all of the content provided by the client. Wireframes are a navigable prototype of how the application will work. They are not a final representation of the design. Think of wireframes as a blueprint of a house, illustrating where things go and how to get to them.
Deliverables:- Visual representation/blueprint of application functionality
- 1 Week
Branding
The branding of an application is an important part of:
- Creating cohesiveness across digital media (print > web > mobile)
- Helping users understand what the app will do for them.
- How the application can help them or make them feel “xyz”.
- Communicating the quality of the product.
Opportunities to brand an application start with the icon and at a minimum include the Splash Screen (this is the static screen you see while the app is loading).
The key items we’ll consider in branding this app:
- How to work with the existing brand in promoting the app
- Working with existing artwork to determine the best execution for app iconography.
Deliverables:
- Splash Screen Mockups (minimum of 2 design executions to choose from)
- Icon Mockups (minimum of 2 design executions to choose from)
- Icon Design for Application (57x57px)
- Icon Design for Apple Store (512x512px)
- 1 Week
Visual Design
The visual design phase takes those wireframe blueprints and dresses them up with a pretty GUI (graphical user interface). We create design mockups for the home screen and all sub-screens that have elements that differ from other screens. In other words we don’t waste time mocking up screens that have the same look. Development can skin similar screens based on one mockup.
Deliverables:- Home Screen Design
- Sub Screen Designs
- 1 - 2 Weeks
Development
The application development phase of iPhone development is a quiet time in the project as far as client feedback. Unlike website development where there may be visuals to approve or interaction regarding content, all of this work is done before entering the app development phase. That’s why it is so important to spend quality time in the information architecture phase of the project.
I like to prepare clients that the amount of back and forth communication will be minimal until the Alpha Test version is ready for distribution. However, during Alpha and Beta testing it will be important for us to test the app a LOT. Our goal is to purposely try to break the app. Better to work out all of the bugs internally than have customers point them out for us!
Deliverables:- Alpha Test Version
- Beta Test Version
- Final Application Binary for submission to App Store
- 2 - 3 Weeks (This timeframe does not include the time it takes for Apple to approve the application for distribution in the App Store.)
App Promotion Consultation
What good is a great app without the awareness that it exists? Before the app launches, it’s important to have a defined strategy for launch. Planning for the app launch should begin several weeks (if not months) in advance.
It’s here that we set aside time to discuss the lay of the land in the App Store and how to pull together a strategy that achieves your goals for the app, works within the App Store parameters and makes customer’s happy!
Deliverables:- A call to discuss the particulars of your app and specific strategies to promote to your target audience.
- A written guide that provides “do’s and don’t” and resource links for getting press on your app.
- 1 Day
Estimate
Fees exclude any stock photography or artwork that requires licensing for use or original illustration/photography developed specifically for the client by an individual artist or contractor not employed by [Company Name]. We bill half upfront ($0) and half at project completion ($0).
Base Application EstimateProject Setup / $ 0
Information Architecture / $ 0
Branding / $ 0
Visual Design / $ 0
Development / $ 0
App Promotion Consultation / $ 0
TOTAL / $ 0
Timeframe for completion:4 – 6 weeks
Approvals:
Signing below indicates client acceptance of this estimate/contract and its terms on the following pages.
[Client Name]:
______
Authorized Signature
______
Printed NameDate
[Company Name], Inc.:
______
Authorized Signature
______
Printed NameDate
Agreement Terms
Support
[Company Name] provides support for the lifetime of the application. We allow 45 days after application launch for any prior undiscovered bugs to be uncovered and fixed without charge. Beyond the 45-day period, we provide support/application revisions at $0/hr.
Design and Development
Design and Development estimates are provided on a per project basis. The estimate provides for minor design or development changes.
Changes
Client is responsible for making additional payments for changes that require excessive re-design of the project. A change is defined as:
- Work requested by the client beyond the agreed upon scope
- Changes to deliverables that have been previously reviewed and accepted by the client.
Delivery
Delivery dates are predicted on the timely receipt of all materials to be supplied by the client. Every attempt will be made to meet the delivery date, but unforeseen or unavoidable delays not caused by [Company Name], shall not constitute a breach of project agreement. If in our attempt to meet delivery dates have made the need to incur rush charges, the client shall reimburse [Company Name] for the additional charges.
Rush Charges
Rush charges are accumulated if the project must be completed within an unscheduled timeframe. Design/Production: Rush charges for design and development are 50% additional to the estimated rate.
Electronic Files
If the client has requirements for how the project is to be prepared electronically, the client must communicate this to [Company Name] before the project begins.
Cancellation
In the event of project cancellation, all artwork is retained by [Company Name], and based upon the contract price and expenses incurred, the client shall pay these. If cancellation of assignment should be authorized, it should be given in writing to [Company Name].
Ownership
Unless otherwise specified, the final accepted iPhone application created through the services of [Company Name] is property of the client upon final payment of assignment.
Concepts and ideas
Preliminary ideas and artwork created by [Company Name] in the course of developing client projects which were not accepted by the client, remain the property of [Company Name]. The use or development of such ideas or artwork by persons or firms other than [Company Name] is expressly prohibited. The fee for unauthorized use of said materials shall be $10,000.00.
Limitation of Liability
Client agrees that it shall not hold [Company Name], or its agents or employees liable for incidental or consequential damages which arise from [Company Name]’s failure to perform any aspect of the project in a timely manner, regardless of whether such failure was caused by negligent acts (excepting the sole negligence of [Company Name]) or omissions by [Company Name] or a third party. Client agrees to limit [Company Name]’s liability to client for any claims by client against [Company Name] (and its employees, agents, owners, representatives and contractors) to a total maximum amount of half of project fees.
Dispute Resolution
Any disputes in excess of the maximum limit for small claims court arising out of this agreement shall be submitted to binding arbitration before the Joint Ethics Committee or a mutually agreed upon arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The Arbitrator’s award shall be final, and judgment may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The client shall pay all arbitration and court costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, and legal interest on any award of judgment in favor of [Company Name].