Contentment 
getcontentment.com 
Interaction in 
HTML apps 
Michael Kowalski 
@micycle
Padify is our 
platform for 
creating HTML5- 
based apps, 
adverts, 
and digital 
magazines 
WINNER 
PME Digital 
Innovation 
Feb 2014 
FINALIST 
SIIA Media 
Innovation 
Apr 2014
Mobile has changed the way people consume media 
Proportion of media and communications activities across the day 
Source: Digital Day, Aug 2014
In US mobile media 
consumption has 
now matched web
What we do 
Print assets 
Autotune 
Layout 
& enhance 
Other content 
Padify Reader apps 
iOS 
Android 
web 
Publish 
Id 
CMS media 
x1 
for all 
devices
Our sweet spot 
Practical 
workflow 
Creative 
control 
Mobile 
friendly
What’s so great about HTML?
Shareable 
Cross-platform Responsive 
layout 
Accessible 
Semantic Low file size 
Non-proprietary Interactive 
iOS 
Android 
Web 
Low lock-in Future proof 
Smartphones 
Tablets 
Laptops 
TV 
Desktop 
Reusable 
Utility 
Simple web 
Better technology 
engagement
Cross-platform Responsive 
layout 
Semantic Low file size 
Non-proprietary Interactive 
iOS 
Android 
Web 
Low lock-in Future proof 
Smartphones 
Tablets 
Laptops 
TV 
Simple web 
technology 
Desktop 
Reusable 
Better 
engagement 
Utility 
Accessible 
Shareable
Native code 
Device capabilities 
HTML – Native 
bridge 
Content 
Hybrid apps 
One time for 
each platform 
Regular 
production
HTML5 has three main components 
HTML for content 
CSS for styling 
Javascript for interaction
Do you need to learn HTML? Or (gulp) Javascript? 
If you have to write 
code on a regular 
basis, you do not 
have a practical 
workflow 
A flexible toolset will 
allow you to create 
new layouts 
without coding
Advantages of Javascript 
Cross-platform: same code for iOS, Android and web 
! 
Simple interaction model, with event handling built in 
! 
World’s most widely used programming language 
! 
Relatively cheap and quick to develop 
! 
Can make use of many free libraries, widgets, etc
Differences between mobile and the desktop web 
VS 
✘ Screens are smaller 
✘ Fingers are fatter than mouse pointers 
✘ Limited range of gestures; no “hover” or right click 
✘ Device memory and processing power are limited 
✘ Offline (or worse, intermittent connectivity) is common 
✓No legacy browsers!
Principles of good mobile UX 
Simple user flow: one thing at a time. 
Take advantage of familiar patterns. 
Do not try and fit content to the screen – 
it can’t work. Scrolling is a key 
responsive technique.
Uses of interaction 
The first generation of magazine apps were often kitchen sinks of 
random interactivity. But interaction need not be pointless gimmickry. 
There are many valuable use cases: 
Signalling Filtering 
Navigation 
Advertising 
Extra 
utility 
Wow 
factor 
Data 
capture
Doing it wrong: “How to use this app”
The standard navigation model 
Explore 
Engage 
Locate
Signalling 
Fat fingers and small screens = easy accidents. 
Signalling is important: what just happened, what’s going to 
happen next. 
Elmer sofa, 
Make use of animated transitions 
like slides, zooms, parallax and 
fades for signalling: 
• Changing photos in gallery 
• Opening popovers and captions 
• Animate headings to signal a 
change of topic or section 
• Zoom open editions
Filtering 
Mobile screens are too small to show everything at once. 
Use filtering techniques to allow readers to opt in to only the 
content they want to see. 
Slideshows 
Popovers 
Hotspots 
Tap-to-enlarge 
Drawers 
Data filters
Adding utility 
Interaction can add useful features for readers that go beyond 
what is possible in print. These can can take advantage of device 
capabilities like address books and maps, as well as connecting 
to web services (when online). 
In-app purchase 
Affiliate shopping 
Shopping lists 
Nearest venue 
Music players
The advertising gap 
Currently a big mismatch between attention and advertising spend 
Kleiner Perkins “Internet Trends 2014” 
50% 
40% 
30% 
20% 
10% 
Time spent Ad spend 
Print Radio TV Internet Mobile
Advertising 
On mobile, full screen ads are less intrusive. 
When in “explore” mode, readers can just swipe on by…
But if you can trigger engagement, you have an incredible canvas 
for native advertising “below the fold” using responsive HTML 
Beginning 
Middle 
End 
Story arc 
{ 
{{ 
Advertising
Performance considerations 
Mobile performance is tricky, due to device limitations with 
memory and processing power. 
Some HTML interactions can cause glitchy page rendering or 
transitions (“jank”). 
3 steps to rendering a web page 
Layout Paint Composite 
Calculate page 
geometry 
Colour the 
pixels 
Put it all 
together
Performance considerations 
Techniques* 
• Lazy load images and video 
• Only animate properties 
that won’t cause jank 
• Limit the amount of effects 
in a single page 
• Do lots of testing on 
devices: just because it 
works in a desktop browser 
doesn’t mean it will work 
on mobile 
Resources 
CSS Triggers 
http://csstriggers.com 
Jank Free 
http://jankfree.org 
Hopefully your vendor has done 
all this for you 
*
Workflow considerations 
Id ? ? ? 
• Converting InDesign docs to interactive HTML5 is not easy 
• CMS solutions may require you to rekey or copy/paste all 
your content = very time consuming 
• Internal workflow resources can easily become the biggest 
part of your costs 
• Need a responsive human-usable system that can realistically 
be used for regular production
Our typical workflow 
• Desktop importer 
• Bulk file upload 
• No copy and paste 
Import 
• Creative input 
• Enhance with video 
and interactivity 
• Proof & approve 
Visual 
editing 
Publish 
• Push out into apps 
1-3 
hours 
Autotune 
• Convert to HTML5 
• Automatically clean 
up and optimise 
• Assign layouts 
• Add lightweight 
semantics
Workflow considerations 
Modular 
Responsive 
Quick config 
Tweakable 
Humane 
Instant preview 
Our principles 
Interactive components can be combined to 
create varied pages, designed with the content 
Modules are designed to work on all devices 
No coding or tedious coordinate entry 
Designs can be adjusted by hand without coding 
Automate out tedious drudgery, avoid repetition 
Can test result straight away, without “packaging”
What happens when I push this button? 
? 
Magazine 
Initial experience
Mostly this: 
“Wow, a shop full of back issues…” 
FILM MAGAZINE
Typical monthly digital edition publication cycle 
100% 
Publication 
day 
0% 
Rest of the 
month 
Chance of 
finding 
something 
fresh
Publishing more frequently improves enagement 
Chance of 
finding 
something 
fresh 
Same content, released in 
weekly chunks
The logical next step 
Continuous or semi-continuous publishing 
Minor updates at 
frequent intervals 
Chance of 
finding 
something 
fresh
EVO 
Moved to continuous model, 
updated 3 or 4 times a week. 
Sessions more than doubled 
to 250k+ per month.
Long+Short 
New digital magazine from 
Nesta uses a “seasonal” 
publishing model. 
A new themed season starts 
every couple of months, 
launching with a batch of 
stories. 
Fresh stories are posted 
every day for rest of season.
Summary 
• HTML5 interactivity provides a cost effective way to add 
value to digital magazines 
• Mobile is different from the desktop web, and care needs 
to be taken to avoid performance problems 
• Practical workflow is a key consideration for successful 
interactive publishing 
• Responsive design tools create new opportunities for 
creating interactive native advertising 
• Continuous publishing can increase engagement and work 
more effectively for mobile consumers
Contentment 
Michael Kowalski 
michael@getcontentment.com 
@micycle

Introduction to HTML5 magazine apps

  • 1.
    Contentment getcontentment.com Interactionin HTML apps Michael Kowalski @micycle
  • 2.
    Padify is our platform for creating HTML5- based apps, adverts, and digital magazines WINNER PME Digital Innovation Feb 2014 FINALIST SIIA Media Innovation Apr 2014
  • 3.
    Mobile has changedthe way people consume media Proportion of media and communications activities across the day Source: Digital Day, Aug 2014
  • 4.
    In US mobilemedia consumption has now matched web
  • 5.
    What we do Print assets Autotune Layout & enhance Other content Padify Reader apps iOS Android web Publish Id CMS media x1 for all devices
  • 6.
    Our sweet spot Practical workflow Creative control Mobile friendly
  • 7.
    What’s so greatabout HTML?
  • 8.
    Shareable Cross-platform Responsive layout Accessible Semantic Low file size Non-proprietary Interactive iOS Android Web Low lock-in Future proof Smartphones Tablets Laptops TV Desktop Reusable Utility Simple web Better technology engagement
  • 9.
    Cross-platform Responsive layout Semantic Low file size Non-proprietary Interactive iOS Android Web Low lock-in Future proof Smartphones Tablets Laptops TV Simple web technology Desktop Reusable Better engagement Utility Accessible Shareable
  • 10.
    Native code Devicecapabilities HTML – Native bridge Content Hybrid apps One time for each platform Regular production
  • 11.
    HTML5 has threemain components HTML for content CSS for styling Javascript for interaction
  • 12.
    Do you needto learn HTML? Or (gulp) Javascript? If you have to write code on a regular basis, you do not have a practical workflow A flexible toolset will allow you to create new layouts without coding
  • 13.
    Advantages of Javascript Cross-platform: same code for iOS, Android and web ! Simple interaction model, with event handling built in ! World’s most widely used programming language ! Relatively cheap and quick to develop ! Can make use of many free libraries, widgets, etc
  • 14.
    Differences between mobileand the desktop web VS ✘ Screens are smaller ✘ Fingers are fatter than mouse pointers ✘ Limited range of gestures; no “hover” or right click ✘ Device memory and processing power are limited ✘ Offline (or worse, intermittent connectivity) is common ✓No legacy browsers!
  • 15.
    Principles of goodmobile UX Simple user flow: one thing at a time. Take advantage of familiar patterns. Do not try and fit content to the screen – it can’t work. Scrolling is a key responsive technique.
  • 16.
    Uses of interaction The first generation of magazine apps were often kitchen sinks of random interactivity. But interaction need not be pointless gimmickry. There are many valuable use cases: Signalling Filtering Navigation Advertising Extra utility Wow factor Data capture
  • 17.
    Doing it wrong:“How to use this app”
  • 18.
    The standard navigationmodel Explore Engage Locate
  • 19.
    Signalling Fat fingersand small screens = easy accidents. Signalling is important: what just happened, what’s going to happen next. Elmer sofa, Make use of animated transitions like slides, zooms, parallax and fades for signalling: • Changing photos in gallery • Opening popovers and captions • Animate headings to signal a change of topic or section • Zoom open editions
  • 20.
    Filtering Mobile screensare too small to show everything at once. Use filtering techniques to allow readers to opt in to only the content they want to see. Slideshows Popovers Hotspots Tap-to-enlarge Drawers Data filters
  • 21.
    Adding utility Interactioncan add useful features for readers that go beyond what is possible in print. These can can take advantage of device capabilities like address books and maps, as well as connecting to web services (when online). In-app purchase Affiliate shopping Shopping lists Nearest venue Music players
  • 22.
    The advertising gap Currently a big mismatch between attention and advertising spend Kleiner Perkins “Internet Trends 2014” 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Time spent Ad spend Print Radio TV Internet Mobile
  • 23.
    Advertising On mobile,full screen ads are less intrusive. When in “explore” mode, readers can just swipe on by…
  • 24.
    But if youcan trigger engagement, you have an incredible canvas for native advertising “below the fold” using responsive HTML Beginning Middle End Story arc { {{ Advertising
  • 25.
    Performance considerations Mobileperformance is tricky, due to device limitations with memory and processing power. Some HTML interactions can cause glitchy page rendering or transitions (“jank”). 3 steps to rendering a web page Layout Paint Composite Calculate page geometry Colour the pixels Put it all together
  • 26.
    Performance considerations Techniques* • Lazy load images and video • Only animate properties that won’t cause jank • Limit the amount of effects in a single page • Do lots of testing on devices: just because it works in a desktop browser doesn’t mean it will work on mobile Resources CSS Triggers http://csstriggers.com Jank Free http://jankfree.org Hopefully your vendor has done all this for you *
  • 27.
    Workflow considerations Id? ? ? • Converting InDesign docs to interactive HTML5 is not easy • CMS solutions may require you to rekey or copy/paste all your content = very time consuming • Internal workflow resources can easily become the biggest part of your costs • Need a responsive human-usable system that can realistically be used for regular production
  • 28.
    Our typical workflow • Desktop importer • Bulk file upload • No copy and paste Import • Creative input • Enhance with video and interactivity • Proof & approve Visual editing Publish • Push out into apps 1-3 hours Autotune • Convert to HTML5 • Automatically clean up and optimise • Assign layouts • Add lightweight semantics
  • 29.
    Workflow considerations Modular Responsive Quick config Tweakable Humane Instant preview Our principles Interactive components can be combined to create varied pages, designed with the content Modules are designed to work on all devices No coding or tedious coordinate entry Designs can be adjusted by hand without coding Automate out tedious drudgery, avoid repetition Can test result straight away, without “packaging”
  • 30.
    What happens whenI push this button? ? Magazine Initial experience
  • 31.
    Mostly this: “Wow,a shop full of back issues…” FILM MAGAZINE
  • 32.
    Typical monthly digitaledition publication cycle 100% Publication day 0% Rest of the month Chance of finding something fresh
  • 33.
    Publishing more frequentlyimproves enagement Chance of finding something fresh Same content, released in weekly chunks
  • 34.
    The logical nextstep Continuous or semi-continuous publishing Minor updates at frequent intervals Chance of finding something fresh
  • 35.
    EVO Moved tocontinuous model, updated 3 or 4 times a week. Sessions more than doubled to 250k+ per month.
  • 36.
    Long+Short New digitalmagazine from Nesta uses a “seasonal” publishing model. A new themed season starts every couple of months, launching with a batch of stories. Fresh stories are posted every day for rest of season.
  • 37.
    Summary • HTML5interactivity provides a cost effective way to add value to digital magazines • Mobile is different from the desktop web, and care needs to be taken to avoid performance problems • Practical workflow is a key consideration for successful interactive publishing • Responsive design tools create new opportunities for creating interactive native advertising • Continuous publishing can increase engagement and work more effectively for mobile consumers
  • 38.