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== Mobile Design Elements == For many years, there was no particular assistance provided to those seeking to design for mobile handsets. Over time, books and other documents and supporting information has emerged. Now, major software vendors like Adobe are embedding mobile-centric technology in their products.
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=== Templates & Stencils ===
These are graphic items you can import to various drawing programs (mostly the Adobe suite) to create designs and mockups. The organization may confuse you a bit. Up top are people (like us!) who give lots of different templates, and generic ones. Then I list them by platform, because way too many people are making a single set of Photoshop tools for the iPad, et. al. 		New ones are constantly being added, or replaced, so please help us keep this up to date. Visit the wiki at www.4ourth.com/wiki or contact us with updates you may encounter.
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Note that this is just those we've found, or found useful. Many more are likely stuck in the various manufacturer and OS developer links under UI Guidelines below.
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Also, we do not use raster tools for wireframing, or even OmniGraffle much. Most of these are not reviewed, just listed. If dumb, or incorrectly categorized, please fix it. == Templates & Stencils ==
These are graphic items you can use with various drawing programs to create concepts, mockups, process diagrams, comps or graphics for final designs.

First listed are organizations with either general templates, or a number of templates for different devices and OSs. This is followed by a list by platform, as recently most designers and agencies have become concentrated on one or two devices or platforms, leading to a surge in such templates.

Note that this is just those we've found, or found useful. Many more may exist, or be included as part of the various manufacturer and OS developer links under the UI Guidelines section, below. Also be aware that by no means are all of these reviewed for quality, and are just checked to make sure that (at the time) they were valid links to real files, and are in the right category.
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A bunch of mobile components (and some other info, like typography) for general mobile design, as well as gestures, and even iPhone specific stuff for the fanbois. Includes the templates used to make the illustrations and diagrams for this wiki. Last updated 17 April 2011: This is our templates, used every day for designing mobile device interfaces. Includes a numer of mobile components and additional information like typograph, for general mobile design. Also includes gesture guidelines, and some handset/OS specific items. The illustrations and diagrams in this book were created with these components.
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If you are still on Freehand (and we salute you) the old (September 2009), not-at-all-updated version is still available. It has Little Springs branding, as that's who Steven worked for when he made it. If you are still working in Macromedia Freehand, the old (September 2009) version is still available. It has Little Springs branding, as that's who Steven worked for when he made it.
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 * [[http://www.fullcreative.com/2010/10/mobility-a-free-set-of-mobile-ui-design-elements/|Mobility]] A free set of mobile UI design elements. I haven't looked, so it could be lying and only be iOS. Someone move it or tell me if it's not generic. (.psd)  * [[http://www.fullcreative.com/2010/10/mobility-a-free-set-of-mobile-ui-design-elements/|Mobility]] A free set of mobile UI design elements. (Photoshop)
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 * [[http://www.vcarrer.com/2010/09/iphone-wireframe-kit-google-docs.html|iPhone Wireframe Kit]] In, of all things, Google Docs. Haven't tried it, but I really need to.  * [[http://www.vcarrer.com/2010/09/iphone-wireframe-kit-google-docs.html|iPhone Wireframe Kit]] In, of all things, Google Docs. Haven't tried it, but I really need to. (GoogleDocs)
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 * [[http://www.zurb.com/playground/ipad-stencils|Sketching the iPad]] to encourage sketching, even as far as to print empties and use your mad Sharpie® skills. From Zurb (OmniGraffle)  * [[http://www.zurb.com/playground/ipad-stencils|Sketching the iPad from Zurb]] to encourage sketching, even as far as to print empties and use your mad Sharpie® skills. (OmniGraffle)
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Documentation, forums, lists and other methods device and OS makers use to communicate their UI guidelines. These periodically move, so if you see a broken link, please update it. OS and device manufacturers have increasingly been providing guidelines for the implementation of their UI. This may include brief, general guidance, relatively specific format rules, or quite involved discussions of design implementation and the reasoning behind them.
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Templates and stencils, even from these people, will be listed above where known. All provide much more documentation for developers, so if there is insufficient information in the UI guidelines, you may wish to browse the rest of the developer resources for the answer. Some UI or UX information may be included in other sections.
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=== Nokia Family (S40, S60, Symbian, MeeGo) === === Symbian Family (S40 and S60) ===
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 * [[http://www.forum.nokia.com/Design/|Forum Nokia Design Portal]] PDF  * [[http://www.forum.nokia.com/Design/|Forum Nokia Design Portal]] PDF.
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 * [[http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/34762388-9434-4c42-9c5e-3e545b0975ea/S60_Platform_Visualization_and_Graphic_Design_Guideline_v1_0_en.pdf.html|S60 Visualization and Graphic Design Guideline]] PDF from here
 * [[http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/5c419b14-75ff-4791-b1a8-db1e0d72e36e/Symbian_3_UI_Style_Guide.html|Symbian^3 UI Style Guidelines]] PDF
 * [[http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/eb8a68ba-6225-4d84-ba8f-a00e4a05ff6f/Hildon_2_2_UI_Style_Guide.html|Hildon UI Guidelines for Nokia Maemo]]
 * [[http://meego.com/developers/ui-design-guidelines/handset|MeeGo UI Design Guidelines for Handset]]		  * [[http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/34762388-9434-4c42-9c5e-3e545b0975ea/S60_Platform_Visualization_and_Graphic_Design_Guideline_v1_0_en.pdf.html|S60 Visualization and Graphic Design Guideline]] PDF.
 * [[http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/5c419b14-75ff-4791-b1a8-db1e0d72e36e/Symbian_3_UI_Style_Guide.html|Symbian^3 UI Style Guidelines]] PDF.
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 * [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/17964/BlackBerry_Smartphones-UI_Guidelines-T893501-980426-0721013746-001-6.0-US.pdf|UI Guidelines for BlackBerry 6.0 Smartphones]] PDF  * [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/17964/BlackBerry_Smartphones-UI_Guidelines-T893501-980426-0721013746-001-6.0-US.pdf|UI Guidelines for BlackBerry 6.0 Smartphones]] PDF.
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 * [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/20195/BlackBerry_Smartphones-UI_Guidelines-T1011811-1011811-0903100131-001-2.5-US.pdf|UI Guidelines for BlackBerry 4.x, 5.x Smartphones]] PDF
 * [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/4305/BlackBerry_Browser-4.6.0-US.pdf|BlackBerry Browser Content Design Guidelines]] PDF		  * [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/20195/BlackBerry_Smartphones-UI_Guidelines-T1011811-1011811-0903100131-001-2.5-US.pdf|UI Guidelines for BlackBerry 4.x, 5.x Smartphones]] PDF.
 * [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/4305/BlackBerry_Browser-4.6.0-US.pdf|BlackBerry Browser Content Design Guidelines]] PDF.
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 * [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/27299/|UI Guidelines for the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet]] or the [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/27298/BlackBerry_PlayBook_Tablet-UI_Guidelines--1361251-0418095918-001-1.0.1-US.pdf|Same as a PDF]]  * [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/27299/|UI Guidelines for the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet]] online, or the [[http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/27298/BlackBerry_PlayBook_Tablet-UI_Guidelines--1361251-0418095918-001-1.0.1-US.pdf|same information as a PDF]]
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 * [[http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/eb8a68ba-6225-4d84-ba8f-a00e4a05ff6f/Hildon_2_2_UI_Style_Guide.html|Hildon UI Guidelines for Nokia Maemo]]
 * [[http://meego.com/developers/ui-design-guidelines/handset|MeeGo UI Design Guidelines for Handset]]
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=== Sony Ericsson Featurephones === === J2ME ===
The Java Platform, Micro Edition (the same thing used to have a "2" in there, and is still mostly referred to by that abbreviation) is a common platform for running applications on practically all featurephones, worldwide. It was developed by Sun, so is now owned by Oracle. Installation methods vary, and some applications will work on basically all devices, while some are targeted to specific operators, regions, manufacturers or classes of devices. J2ME runs on over '''three billion handsets''' right this minute. This is a big deal.
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 * [[http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javame/index.html|Java ME Landing Page]] a bunch of introductions, as well as developer resources, from Oracle.

=== BREW ===
A competitor to J2ME, created by Qualcomm, also allowing a (more or less) single piece of software to run on a range of handsets.
 * [[http://developer.att.com/developer/forward.jsp?passedItemId=1900002|AT&T UI Elements for Brew MP]]

=== FeaturePhone UI Guidelines ===
Featurephones do have operating systems, and native applications are developed outside of the manufacturer's direct control for these devices. However, they generally cannot be installed by end users. These are created or specified by operators, and installed at the factory. This is mostly stuff like a custom phone book. Even the default browser is likely to be J2ME or BREW.

While UI guidelines do exist, these are generally proprietary so cannot be distributed. We have a few of them, but cannot share them. They would also be generally irrelevant; if you have to develop for this situation, you will be given the most applicable version by the operator and/or manufacturer, and have to work closely with them to get the software implemented.
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Just a list that we keep for ourselves, so we don't forget things. Feel free to add items, or even categories, if there's a tool you want to share your notes about. This is really just a list of items that we keep for ourselves, so we don't forget things. Feel free to add items, or even categories, if there's a tool you want to share your notes about. It is not provided in the printed book text, and shouldn't be as is too specific to our methods of work, or is not particularly mobile-specific. Or both.

For many years, there was no particular assistance provided to those seeking to design for mobile handsets. Over time, books and other documents and supporting information has emerged. Now, major software vendors like Adobe are embedding mobile-centric technology in their products.

New ones are constantly being added, or replaced, so please help us keep this up to date. Visit the wiki at www.4ourth.com/wiki or contact us with updates you may encounter.

Templates & Stencils

These are graphic items you can use with various drawing programs to create concepts, mockups, process diagrams, comps or graphics for final designs.

First listed are organizations with either general templates, or a number of templates for different devices and OSs. This is followed by a list by platform, as recently most designers and agencies have become concentrated on one or two devices or platforms, leading to a surge in such templates.

Note that this is just those we've found, or found useful. Many more may exist, or be included as part of the various manufacturer and OS developer links under the UI Guidelines section, below. Also be aware that by no means are all of these reviewed for quality, and are just checked to make sure that (at the time) they were valid links to real files, and are in the right category.

4ourth Mobile

This is our templates, used every day for designing mobile device interfaces. Includes a numer of mobile components and additional information like typograph, for general mobile design. Also includes gesture guidelines, and some handset/OS specific items. The illustrations and diagrams in this book were created with these components.

If you are still working in Macromedia Freehand, the old (September 2009) version is still available. It has Little Springs branding, as that's who Steven worked for when he made it.

Punchcut

Yahoo!

  • Yahoo! Stencil Kit many non-mobile parts, but also useful general and iPhone bits and pieces.

Nokia, Et. Al.

Includes Symbian Foundation, and so forth. Even though some of those are not really 100% Nokia.

Graffletopia

Mobility

  • Mobility A free set of mobile UI design elements. (Photoshop)

Squetch

  • Wireframe Sketching Kit with tools for Browser, iPad upright, iPad landscape, Smartphone, GUI-Elements and Form-Elements. Not sure what some mean, but I guess "Smartphone" means they are trying to not just be iOS, so they get a category. (Illustrator)

MS Windows Phone 7

iOS

iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad

Android OS

All versions, all platforms, all operator overlays.

UI Guidelines

OS and device manufacturers have increasingly been providing guidelines for the implementation of their UI. This may include brief, general guidance, relatively specific format rules, or quite involved discussions of design implementation and the reasoning behind them.

All provide much more documentation for developers, so if there is insufficient information in the UI guidelines, you may wish to browse the rest of the developer resources for the answer. Some UI or UX information may be included in other sections.

Android (from Google and OEMs)

Apple iOS

HP Palm WebOS

Microsoft Windows CE, Mobile & Phone

Symbian Family (S40 and S60)

RIM Blackberry

Smartphone

QNX / Tablet

Samsung Bada

MeeGo

J2ME

The Java Platform, Micro Edition (the same thing used to have a "2" in there, and is still mostly referred to by that abbreviation) is a common platform for running applications on practically all featurephones, worldwide. It was developed by Sun, so is now owned by Oracle. Installation methods vary, and some applications will work on basically all devices, while some are targeted to specific operators, regions, manufacturers or classes of devices. J2ME runs on over three billion handsets right this minute. This is a big deal.

BREW

A competitor to J2ME, created by Qualcomm, also allowing a (more or less) single piece of software to run on a range of handsets.

FeaturePhone UI Guidelines

Featurephones do have operating systems, and native applications are developed outside of the manufacturer's direct control for these devices. However, they generally cannot be installed by end users. These are created or specified by operators, and installed at the factory. This is mostly stuff like a custom phone book. Even the default browser is likely to be J2ME or BREW.

While UI guidelines do exist, these are generally proprietary so cannot be distributed. We have a few of them, but cannot share them. They would also be generally irrelevant; if you have to develop for this situation, you will be given the most applicable version by the operator and/or manufacturer, and have to work closely with them to get the software implemented.

Drawing Tool, Tips & Tricks

This is really just a list of items that we keep for ourselves, so we don't forget things. Feel free to add items, or even categories, if there's a tool you want to share your notes about. It is not provided in the printed book text, and shouldn't be as is too specific to our methods of work, or is not particularly mobile-specific. Or both.

Links, Guides, Other Stuff

Drawing Tools & Templates (last edited 2013-09-04 04:31:49 by shoobe01)