Exclusive Interview with iStoryTime App Developer Woody creator of Shrek Forever After Kids Book – and more besides
iStoryTime brings the joy of a children’s book to the convenience of your iPhone, iPod® touch, or iPad. All books are illustrated and narrated, so your child can enjoy them even when you’re busy. Best of all, the app is drop-dead simple to use because it’s actually designed for a 2-year old. With that in mind we couldn’t wait to chat with Woody to find out more about it, read this exclusive interview here…
iOS 4
Although we can’t wait to get started talking about your iPhone app, we must start by asking you of your thoughts of the new iOS 4 that has just launched. It has many features that will be of benefit to your app, what advantages can you envisage with it?
We’re most excited about the ability for users to organize their apps into folders. This way you can store your library of children’s book apps in one place to make it easier for parents and kids.
iPhone 4
We would also like to discuss your thoughts on the new iPhone 4. The Retina Display is certain to enhance your app even more, what are your thoughts….
The apps look so amazing on the app the new iPhone because we have such incredible illustrations/animations that we’re working with. There is so much more detail to enjoy, it really helps to stories comes to life that much more.
The Beginning
Can you tell our readers how your iPhone app was originally thought of, what were your thoughts behind the marketplace, specifically?
We wanted be able to take books on the go for our toddlers in a convenient way that was always accessible. We also wanted to be able to hand over our phones and give a wholesome alternative to a lot of the other entertainment options that are out there. The fact that a book can be read to your toddler when you are grocery shopping or driving is a great option to keep kids enjoying books.
Design
Can you tell us how you came up with the colors and themes ideas, design?
From a design perspective, we really want it to be so intuitive that a two year old can use it without any instruction.
Target Market
Who do you see as the main target market for this app, in terms of genre, age?
Our focus is on kids ages 2-7.
Production Process
How long did it take from the original planning to the production process of your app?
Each of our apps vary and can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months.
Sales
How do you predict sales to be, is there a good solid market for this style of app?
We aim to have all of our books in the Top 5 Children’s Books.
Obstacles
What has been the hardest obstacle you have had to overcome regarding this app development?
For the Shrek property, it was the availability of the stills from Shrek Forever After because they aren’t finalized until just before the movies are released into theaters and we launched just before the movie was released into theaters.
Third Parties
Would you consider developing apps for third parties?
We have been approached by several interested parties regarding app development and we did a joint collaboration with Reader’s Digest that was very successful.
App Store
What have you learnt from the App Store?
We’ve learned that content is king, make a great app and the downloads will come!
Apple
Have Apple supported you well with your app development?
Yes, Apple has done a great job communicating and being a resource for us.
The Future
What next, are you developing another app? Would you go for the same genre again, if not which?
We’re currently working on Penguins of Madagascar storybook based on the top rated Nickelodeon cartoon.
Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter, creator of the world’s most popular mobile photography and art website— TheAppWhisperer.com— TheAppWhisperer platform has been a pivotal cyberspace for mobile artists of all abilities to learn about, to explore, to celebrate and to share mobile artworks. Joanne’s compassion, inclusivity, and humility are hallmarks in all that she does, and is particularly evident in the platform she has built. In her words, “We all have the potential to remove ourselves from the centre of any circle and to expand a sphere of compassion outward; to include everyone interested in mobile art, ensuring every artist is within reach”, she has said. Promotion of mobile artists and the art form as a primary medium in today’s art world, has become her life’s focus. She has presented lectures bolstering mobile artists and their art from as far away as the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea to closer to her home in the UK at Focus on Imaging. Her experience as a jurist for mobile art competitions includes: Portugal, Canada, US, S Korea, UK and Italy. And her travels pioneering the breadth of mobile art includes key events in: Frankfurt, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Paris, Brazil, London. Pioneering the world’s first mobile art online gallery - TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com has extended her reach even further, shipping from London, UK to clients in the US, Europe and The Far East to a global group of collectors looking for exclusive art to hang in their homes and offices. The online gallery specialises in prints for discerning collectors of unique, previously unseen signed limited edition art. Her journey towards becoming The App Whisperer, includes (but is not limited to) working for a paparazzi photo agency for several years and as a deputy editor for a photo print magazine. Her own freelance photographic journalistic work is also widely acclaimed. She has been published extensively both within the UK and the US in national and international titles. These include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Popular Photography & Imaging, dpreview, NikonPro, Which? and more recently with the BBC as a Contributor, Columnist at Vogue Italia and Contributing Editor at LensCulture. Her professional photography has also been widely exhibited throughout Europe, including Italy, Portugal and the UK. She is currently writing several books, all related to mobile art and is always open to requests for new commissions for either writing or photography projects or a combination of both. Please contact her at: [email protected]
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