I've just finished writing up a document that defines how my Internet application is going to look. I've sent the document off to some talented folks in the Netherlands to review and quote me on the design of the interface.
There's only essentially four screens but it was really hard to define! While being hard it was also fun as I thought about all the nice things I want in the application. You really need to let go during this stage and forget about the world of computers for a while. The nice thing about designing is:
# You can propose what ever you like! It's only a proposition and regardless of how technically hard it may prove to achieve - if it's in the final plan you know it's worth doing.
# You can re-work to your hearts content. I re-worked the interface design about four times on paper alone. Given there's only four screens, that's significant re-work.
# You can form a coherent and uniform concept that will sit as the basis of your application - rather than having an application with a messy, and unclear message like so many have!
# Once you design the thing, you can out-source some of the work to someone else!
So before, I had a rough cut of the application that was nothing special. Now I have an amibitious plan that needs to be executed.
Wish me luck!