Opinon about Apple’s much vaunted iPad has been divided to say the least. We talk to the design industry and ask for their thoughts and opinions on the new multi-touch tablet.

Andy Budd, UX Director, Clearleft
www.clearleft.com

“In terms of a tool for designers to use, the iPad is clearly for consumption so doesn’t have much place in the creative process. However I can see it becoming a popular way for designers to demo their work to clients over coffee or in a pitch. I know that’s how I’m planning to use it.

The interesting thing for me is the way the iPad closes the gap between the mobile and traditional web. Until recently, the majority of web designers hadn’t really explored the possibilities of the mobile web. The iPhone helped break down the traditional barriers associated with mobile web development and created a generation of iPhone developers. However the web was still a constrained and fiddly experience. The iPad has the potential to change all that.

Big media clients will be the first to exploit the iPad in an attempt to charge for content that they currently give away for free. However rather than paying for the content, people will be paying for the experience; and who best to provide that than designers versed in interaction design and user experience?

The rise of iPad applications won’t just be the preserve of the big players. In fact we’ve already had our first request for a small, bespoke iPad application and I expect many more to come.

The iPad will bring its own set of constraints, and I’m not a huge fan of multi-tier systems where the same content needs to be repurposed for different formats. However I do think the iPad will herald a new age of highly targeted and device-specific experiences that mix the connectivity of the Internet with the benefits of a controlled system. So I’m very much looking forward to seeing how far designers and developers can push this new consumer device.”

David Burton, Head of Innovation, Red Web
www.redweb.com

“One of the problems I have with the iPad is that I can’t clearly see its usefulness. It’s not as powerful and multifunctional as a laptop or notebook. It’s too heavy to hold at arms length, too neck breaking to have it sit in my lap, and too awkward to prop up on a table for watching video. The screen is too bright for reading ebooks. On the other hand it’s not as personal as a phone, it’s not as handy, as small, as portable. I won’t be able to have it with me 24/7.

So I just can’t see its purpose. Perhaps I’m just happy with my iPhone and MacBook and don’t need anything in between. Having said that, perhaps I’ll then need something between my iPhone and iPad and then iPad and MacBook. So many gadgets, I can see Apple rubbing their hands together already.

The other problem is that the iPad is a scaled up iPhone rather than a scaled down laptop. As such it runs on the same model as the iPhone. This means it will only run one app at a time. (Come on Apple, haven’t you seen what Android can do?) More importantly though, it means there’s a very closed, controlled and Apple owned approach to software development for the iPad.  Yes this is good for usability within applications, but in general users and developers will suffer: it limits creativity, chokes innovation, disregards choice, and is harmful to a healthy digital future.

So, no, I won’t be in the queue to buy an iPad. But when interest (and revenue) from this product show signs of waning I’ll be listening out for rumours of the next Apple product. I’d like a MacBookTouch, a powerful, double touch screen laptop, that I can put to a great variety of uses and onto which I can install any software I choose.”

Paul Jamie Kidd, Creative Designer, Blue Ink Agency
www.kidd81.com

“The long, eagerly awaited introduction of the iPad really surprises me to be honest. I haven’t had chance to physically get my hands on it and although it is a seriously beautiful piece of kit, I can’t help but think it may be a bit of a white elephant in Apple’s phenomenal range of gadgets. The introduction of the iPhone to the UK market in late 2007 truly revolutionised the way we can access information in the palm of our hand and effectively put it in our pocket, which you are unable to do with this device.

When designing websites for such devices effectively you are designing for Safari browsers and therefore this browser can handle HTML and CSS markup so user interface design itself isn’t a problem as such. The iPad – in order for it to be taken seriously when it comes to viewing websites is the support – or lack of support – for flash…including over 70% of games and 75% of video on the web. When designing sites which require animation of such, alternative stylesheets have to be implemented for mobile users to view an alternative site so there maybe that to consider when designing the page. The only real benefit over the iPhone when surfing the net on the iPad is that it has a 1024px x 768px screen which will give any consumer a better viewing experience when browsing sites.

We will shortly be entering a new html standard, HTML5. One thing HTML5 can do is replace Flash video players. Google has already begun testing the video tag in HTML5 with the h.264 video codec on YouTube so ultimately the iPad will be able to view YouTube videos.  Apple has been a known supporter for the HTML5 standard so that things can be coded for better performance across browsers and not require plugins, which potentially slow browsers down.

To conclude, I feel web designers will more or less design pages the same way they have done with the iPhone. Making sure your markup works seamlessly in Safari and use flash alternatives such as JQuery for simple animation. Once HTML5 comes in to the mainstream, designers won’t be afraid to include video on their websites and should a flash site be an absolute must, include an alternative stylesheet for surfers to view an html only site.”

Zaid Al-Asady, Interactive Creative/Art Director, Wieden+Kennedy London
www.wklondon.com

“Apple’s newly released device has come under a lot of criticism in the last few weeks but if one thing is for certain, it’s that the iPad alters the way in which interactive designers will do their job.

The iPad can be viewed in both landscape and portrait mode meaning any website design should be adaptive, with the ability to work in both formats. More of an emphasis will be placed on fluid layouts and style sheets that can easily work both ways.

The interface is fully touchscreen meaning that many of the hover/ rollover effects designers use become unnecessary. It also means that hiding information or functionality to be revealed on rollover will no longer work. From a usability point of view, elements on the page will need to be larger than they appear on websites due to size and accuracy of fingertips compared to mouse pointers.

Many people consider one major drawback to be the lack of Flash, but with the power of DHTML, Google’s backing of HTML5 as well as Adobe’s Flash CS5 iPhone/iPad publisher there is no reason to fear.

These may all sound restrictive but the benefits far outweigh the negatives. If done correctly, designers are able to create stunning graphical applications and sites that utilise the powerful multitouch platform and offer a smooth and enjoyable interaction experience for the user.”

Peter Karlsson, CEO, Your Majesty
www.your-majesty.com

“Advertisers are looking to create and launch long-lasting and sustainable campaigns without having to increase the media spend. This has already been done to some extent with social media and the iPhone where the advertising almost has turned in to product development. With devices like the iPad there will be increased demand on agencies to understand and utilize new technology and for designers and art directors to create meaningful experiences and products.”

CHECK OUT ISSUE 168 for the full article | ON SALE 11th MARCH 2010 | Get your copy from the Imagine Shop.