Microsoft highlights how creative inspiration can make for better apps

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Published onApril 27, 2016

published onApril 27, 2016

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Throughout the last few weeks, Microsoft has been covering design topics on theirBuilding Apps for Windows Blog. This week, the companyhas posted something differentand is bringing design thinking, inspiration, and creativity into the UI development process for UWP apps.

The post draws into the app development picture the fact that developersdodesign while design is something creativesare. Overall, the post also covers three basic questions that both creatives and designers ask:

Microsoft then goes on to further divide the answers to these questions into these categories:

Finding inspiration for apps, according to Microsoft, has much to do with deciding what type of inspiration to seek. The authors believe that knowing the kind of inspiration will narrow targets as you hunt down interesting sources for new, creative ideas.

Locations for inspiration, meanwhile include Pinterest, Tumblr, Creative Bloq, and more. Microsoft also notes that this step of seeking out information and inspiration is critical. To them, in the early phases of a project, tracking down the right inspiration can even be a full-time task.

When it comes to storing inspiration, Microsoft believes that it’s not an easy task. They point to digital options such the sites which were previously mentioned, as well as the old-school mood board. Mood boards, according to the Building Apps for Windows team, are effective because having an actual physical thing in front of you that you can touch, rather than something digital on a screen, affects the brain more powerfully.

Lastly, Microsoft also mentions that the purpose of seeking for inspiration, collecting inspiration, and storing inspiration is to feed the unconscious. The unconscious, according to Microsoft, is important because one day a brilliant idea might suddenly appear. Designers, claims Microsoft, understand this, and after collecting and digesting all of their inspirational material, designers know that their real task is to relax and let the mind do its job.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

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Microsoft highlights how creative inspiration can make for better apps