Why Android?

The number one comment I get when showing people Stipple is "can I use it on my iPhone." Unfortunately, no you can't. Another frequent and valid question is, "why make it for a phone?" I'm starting with Android because Google has made it incredibly easy to develop for. Not only do Android devices cost way less, the tools for creating apps for them are also way less expensive. To test an Android app all I have to do is plug my phone into my computer and hit play. To get an app on the Play Store all I have to do is upload the file and a few details (the $25 developer fee is nominal). To develop for iOS not only do you need an iOS device, you need a Macintosh (or convoluted hacks). I believe you also have to pray to the alter of Steve Jobs and probably submit to some cult-like brainwashing techniques. Not to dive to deep into my disdain, but when I was learning design, and the cool kids were using Macs, I decided I'd rather go in the opposite direction. Call me a contrarian but I don't equate obfuscation with intuition (Mac hides all their features behind obscure gestures/commands and then calls that "intuitive").

Regardless, I'm not dense, I know that the market for art apps is far wider in the iOS ecosystem. I'm in talks with some developing companies and I very much want to bring this to the iPhone and iPad. I'm creating Stipple because it's fun to develop. Making something on a Mac has never been fun for me.

Why a phone/tablet?

Ultimately, and assuming my interest isn't detracted by something, Stipple will be released as Photoshop and Illustrator plugins. This will put the tool in the hands of the designers who will really do interesting things with it. However, these designers don't know they need this tool. So rather than developing a plugin that no one will care about, if I can build an app that is accessible to the masses, popularize the effect, the design world will have to notice. Sort of like an "if they come, I will build it" approach (bastardizing a Field of Dreams quote will certainly illustrate how out of touch I am). I think the popularity of tablet based art apps will grow. I've tried Procreate and I think it's amazing. A feature like Stipple would make a great addition to the tools available in Procreate. I would sell this idea without a second thought. Not for the money but for the opportunity to spread this idea and for the possible opportunities that could be presented.

Considering how much of design is digital these days, and never actually gets printed, having Stipple exist in a mobile form makes sense. If the image is only going to live on Instagram, why not just create it on your phone to begin with? Now here's a photo of a kitten named Summer:

(This post hasn't been proofread, make fun of my horrible grammar in the comments please.)