mobile app developers

What Skills Does an App Developer Need?

The increased demand for mobile devices means great job opportunities for professionals skilled in app production. Sales of smartphones outstripped PCs for the first time in 2011, when 488 million mobile devices were shipped, compared to 415 million PCs, according to a 2012 report by the research firm Canalys.

As companies worldwide rush to make their web offerings compatible with popular platforms like Android and iOS (the latter being the system used on Apple devices like iPhones), salaries for mobile app developers have spiked, reaching an average of $92,000 USD, according to the jobs database Indeed.com.

Here are some of the skills that aspiring mobile techies need to succeed in this growing marketplace. In Toronto, contact Cestar College to learn how their Mobile App Developer program can help you get a competitive edge.

1. Programming languages – The main programming language used for Apple products is known as Objective C, while Java is the most important programming language in the Android developer’s toolkit.

Other languages frequently mentioned in job ads for mobile developers include JavaScript, Microsoft Visual C#, and visual HTML, according to the analytics firm Wanted. Experience or at least familiarity with a wide range of technical codes will help set you apart from the competition.

2. Graphic design skills – An attractive user interface designed to correspond with the functions of an application is essential for commercial success. That’s why the Graphical User Interface (or GUI, sometimes pronounced “gooey”) is so important. Experience in GUI design is one of the most sought-after qualities among employers in the mobile application market.

It helps to know your way around programs like Adobe Photoshop, which allows you to manipulate all aspects of an image. Since smartphones have varying screen sizes, you will need to understand how to render images in relative sizes rather than absolute dimensions. You also need to understand how to use colours and resolutions that will be supported by a range of devices.

A good app allows people with few computer skills to grasp easily how it works. A solid knowledge of GUI goes a long way in this department.

3. Knowing how to learn – The high-tech sector keeps cranking out new products as research and development teams from South Korea to Silicon Valley compete for sales. To keep up with the speed of progress, mobile app developers need to be prepared to learn new things daily.

If you have a passion for learning, you may have what it takes to become a mobile app developer. Formal training through the Mobile App Developer program at Cestar College in Toronto is a great way to start.

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