Here are five of our favorite apps, designed with the designer in mind. Whether its for productivity, brainstorming, checking out traffic, or having a trouble shooting back-up, these five apps will make your designing life a heck of a lot easier.

iMockups

If you’re looking for a high quality mobile wireframing and mockup app for your iOS and web projects, look no further than iMockups.

As the winner of Applied Arts – Best Mobile App Award in 2010, iMockups combines an easy-to-use, smooth interface with intuitive technology. Creative professionals will love this iPad-ready app, that lets you design any app you want with a comprehensive and growing list of pre-built dynamic controls that will turn your ideas into full fledged designs. It help keeps the designer focused, with low fidelity mockups that encourage feedback, in a clearly executed manner. Its quick response lets you create mockups in a snap, and with the touch of a finger you can email editble projects to others for easy collaboration, even those without an iPad. Loaded with customizable UI controls, a full-screen presentation mode, full content creation and editing controls, and a gorgeous interface, this is one app that professional designers should definitely have in their repertoire.

Get it here.

Adobe Ideas

If you need a digital sketchbook, this is the one. Adobe® Ideas is the perfect companion to Adobe Illustrator® and Adobe Photoshop®, letting you easily sketch using vectors and different color themes. The app allows you to draw ten layers plus a photo layer for each sketch, as well the ability to transform layers. You can also control specific layer opacity and move, rotate and scale each layer independently. Other awesome perks include a perfect zoom, variable brush choices, a vector eraser, a huge workspace, well laid-out organization, and loads of other features. Users can also easily save their drawings to their iPad and iPhone albums and email ideas as PDF files for later editing. The app is available in four languages (English, German, French, and Japanese) and is a must for any design-driven iPad or iPhone.

Get it here.

MindNode

MindNode is a simple to use and intuitive application for collecting, organizing and
outlining your thoughts and ideas, creating them as a mind map. You might remember the use of a mind map in elementary school, well, it’s perfect for any designer’s brainstorm process. MindNode touch makes this happen with ease. Users just create new nodes on the canvas by dragging them out of the node well, which is a plus sign next to a selected node. They can then edit new nodes directly on the canvas, easily rearrange them (or let them be automatically rearranged), change branches, search and collapse, export to other documents, such as FreeMind, OPML outlines, text outlines, and PNG images, share with MindNode Pro on your Mac, and plenty of other features.

Get it here.

FTP On-The-Go

FTP On-the-Go is the perfect app for when you aren’t at your desk. The short version? You can fix a broken website from anywhere. The app allows you to securely log into your server from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, and do what needs doing. Users can download files and use the built-in text editor. The Find and Replace option makes it done in seconds, and a simple press of the Save button lets you upload your changes. You can even change file permissions, view document files (such as Word, Excel, PDF, PowerPoint, and image files), and download them onto your device. You can also store files for later, and lets you share them just as easily. Uploading is easy, and the app includes plenty of advanced features, such as compression, a master password, and more.

Get it here.

Ego for iPad

When you’re looking for an app that deals with web stats, Ego for iPad is just the app – and then one better. It adds additional detailed views that lets you know even more information about your current websites’ statistics. While you’re checking them out, you can also respond to your mentions on Twitter, check out Feedburner, Google Analytics and Mint 2, see what is happening with Ember, Squarespace, and Vimeo, and browse your Tumblr Dashboard. Ego supports as many widgets of each type as you want, so you can check all of your data instead of logging in and out of various websites. The simple and elegant interface is perfect for any designer or company, a definite must-have with many updates to come.

Get it here.

After you’ve got your handy tools and skills, it’s pretty simple. But what you want to make sure is that it’s going to sell.

And here’s how.

Think of the Audience

When you are developing your app and app idea, in general, think of the people involved. Who is going to use it? How will it fit into their lives? And why would they want this over, for example, their laptop or iPhone?

Your target audience has to be thought of carefully. Sure, you love the idea, but will other people use your product? Think of the target audience and remember that they might be different than who you initially think they might be.

For example, if you think that musicians might love your classical music app, you’re probably right. But if you drive it to another audience, say, preschool teachers, you have a whole new world in front of you.

So basically: define your audience. Think of who they are, where they work, what they do, and why they would would love it.

Now that you have that down, think of how they’ll actually use the app. How will their daily lives connect to the app itself? Be them, think of them, and figure it out. Make a few case studies and figure out how they would use it in their actual day.

Think about the iPad, and how it’s uniqueness is perfect for your idea. Just like we mentioned before, think about why they would choose this over anything else.

Keep it Simple

If you’re a developer, resist the temptation of making anything too extravagant. Keep it simple! Focus on the basics, the portability of it, and the controls that are needed for the app, without going overboard.Users not only want something that is easy to use (especially if they are new to it), they want apps for different purposes, so focus on just what yours is… without muddling it up.

Think of it Two Ways

A big perk to the iPad is the fact that you can switch the view from landscape to portrait. Though you can do that on most of the devices, it is larger on the iPad and, frankly, you want to take advantage of it.

Consider everything you put into the app and how it will be seen in both views. Keep the app’s experience the same in each view, so the switch is seemless from one view to the other. Don’t just worry about how it functions, look at the minor details, too, such as the color.

Make it Dynamic

Sure, apps are great when they are getting the job done, but the iPad’s size and portability makes it as a mini-computer on teh go. This, in turn, equates with dynamic content. Apps that can draw from Web pages and can load real-time Web content are attractive to the viewer, and something you should go for – even if it’s just for a part of your app.

Get Going!

If you don’t know where to begin, well, just begin! You’ll soon start to work out the kinks and be able to move forward.

Mediacore is no exception, a new video publishing platform that puts the user  in complete charge.

Developers Damien Tanner and Stuart Bowness have discovered and developed a way to provide individuals and businesses with a SaaS video publishing platform, essentially, making their own video site.

Mediacore is specifically designed for managing and creating video and audio. Users have 100 percent control of the platform, making all of the decisions from organization to looks. Easy to use, it provides users with highly reliable storage, quick response time, painless uploads, and a simple platform.

It’s no surprise that many companies are jumping on the Mediacore bandwagon. Surfing Life, a popular Australian surfing magazine, has created two tv stations using Mediacore’s easy-to-use platform, showcasing their surfing adventures and highlights. Sprinkle Lab uses it to spread word through video and animation. The University of London delivers students and visitors to their site information, guidance, and tours. And this is just a few of the hundreds.

The super simple cloud-based infrastructure lets users upload with ease, and the intuitive player automatically sorts out whether to launch it in Flash and HTML5. Videos can be uploaded in formats such as AVI, 3GP, MOV, MP3, MP4, MPEG, WMA, and many others.  Just upload, and Mediacore does the rest. Podcasts are done with ease, too.

Once your videos are uploaded, visitors to your site can browse your collections through a visual guide, either by category or tag, whatever you choose. You can add your company or personal logo, your own domain, a specific background, and change around the CSS to customize the appearance of the site. It will also optimize your company Google, Yahoo, and Bing searches.

MediaCore is offering a 15-day free trial, and monthly plans range from $99 to $499. These all include custom domains, white label player, custom branding, automated encoding, mobile apps for Android and iOS, social video embeds, and other key features.

For more information, visit mediacore.com.

Homes can benefit from a tweak here and a little change there… and it’s really easy, too.

Here are our top six home design tips, specifically designed for beginners (okay, okay… pun intended).

Set a Budget

Be sure to give your wallet a look over and choose a budget that is realistic for what you want. Factor in what you need done professionally, and make wise choices of when to decorate or redecorate. Winter, for example, is slow for most professionals, so they often offer various forms of savings. If you aren’t hiring anyone but want to save some cash, fill your home with some timeless pieces, using cheaper items to add oomph when the mood changes.

Make It Flow

Look at all of the rooms in your house as a whole, and be sure to relate to them to one another. You want each room to flow cleanly into one another. They don’t necessarily have to match; in fact, different tastes per room allows for creativity and originality. But instead, it will create a sense of continuity leaving clean lines and a smooth design.

To create this, use similar elements in spaces that relate to one another, such as a single wall colour on one level of the house or textures that are close to one another.

Be Creative

Take a few moments to get inspired and collect elements you want in the room. Look for paint chips, photos of furniture, and fabric swatches, and use some different combinations to bring them altogether. Always have them on hand when you leave the house for home shopping, so you’re sure to buy in the right colour or style.

Plan Your Space

Look for items that make beautiful rooms and are functional, too. Furniture shouldn’t be crowded, and useful, too. In your TV room, for example, if the TV is the main event, then make sure that seating to it is obvious. In the kitchen, have shelving within reach. In your dining room, ensure there is room to pull those drawers out of the buffet.

Give It Colour

When choosing paint colours, keep in mind factors such as lighting and natural light from windows. Different lighting will make the walls and other painted items look very unlike one another. If you aren’t sure how it will go over, look for sample containers and give your walls a small douse. Check it out at different times of the day, and see what looks best.

Don’t forget to also ask the folks at the paint shop what finish is best for your walls, for example flat versus high gloss.

Go for the Details

Look at the little things to really make a big difference. For example, gorgeous and detailed handles and knobs can bring an old cabinet to a new level. Hardware, lighting, artwork can make a load of difference, giving each item a personality of its own. Invest in the small details without spending a fortune on the large ones.

Here are all of the techniques to measure, cut and hang your wallpaper to perfection.

The answer lies in layering: four layers blended together for the best outcome. Task, ambient, accent and decorative lighting all work together to create the exact look you’re going for.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is often misplaced, and can actually hinder your kitchen creation ability, throwing shadows who-knows-where.

Key locations for task lighting include underneath the overheat cabinets and over the island. Another area is over near the pantry. These are places where you need to be able to see well (IE chopping and fishing around for those dried beans).

Another reason? If you are ever going to sell your house, the kitchen is the first place to update.

Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t have to have a state-of-the-art range, granite countertops, and expensive cabinets in order for it to be chic and functional.

Paint Your Cabinets

A fresh coat of paint on the cabinets can go a long way. To begin prepping them, start by cleaning the cabinets. This is important to ensure they are free of any debris, such as grease and food residue. You may want to remove the cabinet doors and lay them flat to do this. Then dry them thoroughly.

Once clean and dry, give them a good sanding. Use fine grit sandpaper (150 or finer), and sand over all of the flat surfaces of the doors, including the thin facing pieces on the boxes, too. This will allow the primer to stay on the surface.

Update the Flooring

Ugly, aged tile can make any kitchen floor look less than stellar. There are many options for a kitchen floor update. Our favourites include:

Hardwood

Hardwood comes in a variety of colours and styles, is warm, and is quiet. Maintenance depends on the wood used and how it is finished, and they are ideal because although they can scratch, they can easily be sanded and refinished.

Laminate

The look of wood without the price–what can be better? Laminate floors and very durable and require little maintenance. Even better, installation is super easy because they can be put in over existing floors. However, unlike wood, it isn’t very warm and tends to be a little noisy.

Vinyl

This option is a little more budget friendly, is easy to install, and comes in a variety of patterns and colours. The disadvantage? It can also easily start to curl.

Ceramic Tile

Tiles are easy customized and easy to clean, but can eventually lead to grout that can get pretty dingy. It is also hard on the legs, is noisy, and often cold.

Bamboo

Looks like wood, and is made from a renewable resource, this eco-friendly option is warm, easy to install, and good to the environment.

Cork

Another eco-friendly option, cork floors are available in sheets and tile, is soft and warm and  extremely quiet. It can also withstand moisture and is easy to clean.

Change the Walls

If you don’t want to go all out but need a fresh look, changing the walls is the perfect option. Here are some tips for making them look fresh, new, and exciting:

Look at the wood: If you have wood cabinets, choose light, cool colours on the wall. White cabinets look best with warmer colours.

Go neutral: Colour looks best everywhere other than the walls. For example, choose a simple neutral for the wall and make the colour pop on the countertops, backsplash, and accessories.

Or not. Bold colours do look good; you just have to do it right. Since appliances are generally stainless steel, black or white, add a splash of colour on an accent wall without overpowering or closing in the room. But they are best in minimal amounts interspersed with some neutrals to keep it calm. Choose a few colours that come together easily and work with them, such as red, pale yellow, and white.

Don’t go commercial: Anything that you see in a restaurant (say, burgundy tied with beige), is too overdone. Look for fresh, new ideas… Similar to what will come out of your kitchen.

Old + New: combine old looks, like warm yellow and simple green, with a splash something new, such as hot pink. Not really your style? Think more of a chocolate brown, which will go easily with almost any bright colour.

What is a rooftop garden?

Rooftop gardens are becoming more and more popular. They are gardens that are, simply, on the roofs of buildings. They’re most easily installed on flat roofs, but even if your roof has a bit of a slant, it’s possible to build one on there, too.

What you need and what to do

Before you begin, call your local city clerks and get the go ahead. Some cities and towns have by-laws. If you live in a rental, you will also want to contact your landlord.

When you’re ready to begin, it’s recommended to build sturdy walls around the garden, to shield it from very harsh elements. Be prepared for intense weather conditions by opting for small shrubs and little perennials that are compact to the ground.

Plants that are ideal for rooftop gardens are ones that just require a few inches of depth. It’s also beneficial if they are drought tolerant, such as cactus-type plants and low growing grasses. Small trees and shrubs are also ideal if you have a little more depth. Try cedar, ferns, grasses, lavender, mini-roses, and slow-growing dwarf conifers. Add some small flowers and herbs, then native fruiting plants for the birds.

Secure your pots and feed them often. In the winter, bring small plants in doors and wrap large shrubs with burlap.

The benefits of a “green roof”

Not only do rooftop gardens look nice, but they also provide insulation for your home in the winter and cool your home down in the summer. They’ll lengthen the life of your roof and reduce outside noises.

As with all gardens, they are good for the environment, too. They neutralize acid rain, remove nitrogen pollution from the rain, and reduce storm run off.

Animals love them, too. They’re a great habitat for small animals and birds will love the rooftop retreat.

For more information on building your own rooftop garden, check out Green Roofs for Healthy Cities at greenroofs.org.

Image courtesy of greenroofs.org

Identify the space. Large pieces work well for large places, and small pieces for small. Keep it in scale with the location.

Find your focal point. Wherever you place it, the art will turn into a focal point for the whole room, so make sure its well lit and a destination to attract the eyes.

Use hallways. Change your hall into an art gallery. These high traffic areas are the perfect place to house photographs.

Keep an eye. Direct sunlight can cause damage, so throughout the year, ensure that what was best in December still holds true in the summer months.

Go with the flow. Long, vertical walls suit artwork with a vertical composition; the same goes for horizontal art and walls.

Work with the wall. Decide whether white walls, colours, or textures create the best showcase for your art.

Hang it right. Choose to place your artwork at eye level while standing.

Think ahead. If making an investment, think of how it might transition if you move or redo your home.

Kitchen remodels are among the best to tackle, giving back the most for the value of your home and your homelife. Here are some of the best ways to update your kitchen and appliances in 2011:

Gooseneck Faucets

Timeless and elegant, any style of kitchen can benefit from the sleek look of gooseneck faucets. A little goes a long way in the aesthetics department, but you’ll also be uber pleased with the amount of room and clearance you have for daily tasks. We recommend one with a spray hose.

Grey Cabinets

Grey is the newest in neutrals, both in the kitchen and around the house. Pair grey cabinets with white accents, alongside slick granite and a splash of colour.

Horizontal Shelving

Who doesn’t love ample storing? Instead of high cabinets, opt for open horizontal shelving, giving a breath of fresh air. You can display for your favourite dishes and knick knacks, making it easy access with modern flair.

Extra-Long Tables

Cottage-inspired harvest tables are all the rage, made of large, long planks with dramatic woods. Rustic, European, and trendy all the same, this is perfect for large groups and entertaining, without worrying about expensive dining sets.

Read the rest of the list in the article 11 New Kitchen Design Trends from Canadian House & Home.

The National Home Show runs from February 19th to 28th. Get advance tickets online and save $5 by using the promo code: house.

Image courtesy of bp.blogspot.com | kitchen remodeling ideas |  Bathroom Tile Kitchen. kitchen islands