Writing and designing content for mobile readers
The materials on this page will help you if you choose Option 1 for Project 3.
You are free to use any of the items and links on this page as background or sources for your project.
Mobile devices present interesting challenges for writers and designers. The small screen sizes require careful editing and content organization. We've all had the painful experience of trying to read a PDF that is not optimized for mobile.
At the same time, it is very likely that the majority of the visitors to any website or digital publication will be accessing content on mobile devices. Mobile phones also include many features that are not included on desktop and laptop computers: location services (GPS), cameras, Bluetooth, and more. Today's mobile phones are more powerful and capable devices that many desktop computers were 1o years ago. For that reason, they present remarkable opportunities for writers and designers to create new kinds of digital publications.
You are free to use any of the items and links on this page as background or sources for your project.
Mobile devices present interesting challenges for writers and designers. The small screen sizes require careful editing and content organization. We've all had the painful experience of trying to read a PDF that is not optimized for mobile.
At the same time, it is very likely that the majority of the visitors to any website or digital publication will be accessing content on mobile devices. Mobile phones also include many features that are not included on desktop and laptop computers: location services (GPS), cameras, Bluetooth, and more. Today's mobile phones are more powerful and capable devices that many desktop computers were 1o years ago. For that reason, they present remarkable opportunities for writers and designers to create new kinds of digital publications.
Interview: Amie Mansaray, Gadget SoftwareAmie Mansaray is a content engineer at Gadget Software in Newark, NJ. Amie works with Gadget Software to transform PDF user manuals and technical documents into mobile publications. In this interview, she describes and demonstrates the process she uses. If you are interested in technical documents and mobile technologies, this interview will be especially valuable for you. Amie also talks about what it's like to work for a tech startup, how she got the job, and what she recommends for students today who want to work in technical writing or software engineering.
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Gadget Software WebsiteGadget Software is a tech startup company working to "transform PDFs from painful to productive content on mobile devices. They are on the cutting edge of publishing technology for mobile. If you are a technical writer interested in developing user manuals and documentation for mobile users, this is a company you should get to know.
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Luke Wroblewski: Ideation + DesignLuke Wroblewski was one of the first digital product designers to recognize the importance of designing for mobile devices. His 2011 book Mobile First started a new wave of designing specifically for mobile instead of treating mobile devices as second-class citizens with reduced content. At his website, you can find links to many of his writings and presentations.
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Michael Greer: Blog Posts on Designing for MobileWhile I feel a little funny about posting my own work, I have published a few blog posts for textbook and academic authors about how to write and design content for mobile. One of these may spark some ideas for your own work on Project 3.
How educators and textbook authors can make learning mobile Developing a mobile textbook: A case study in collaborative authoring Students lead the march toward mobile: Three strategies for adapting and responding 
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