making a sex positive smartphone app
TRANSCRIPT
Things I learned while making the SexPositive smartphone app
Keith Van Norman
University of Oregon Health Center
April 6-8, 2014 San Francisco, CA
Annual Conference on Youth + Tech + Health
Quick Audience Poll
Have an app? Want an app? Code apps? Just curious?
4 things you need to know:
• It’s Free • It’s Awesome • “SexPositive” is one word • You should
download it now
About Me • Graphic Designer for 18 years
• Primarily for publishing companies
• UO Health Center for 4 years • Marketing • Graphic Design • Website Curation (via CMS)
• Problem Solver for 38 years • Zoey’s Human for 2.5 years
• Apps Developed before SexPositive: 0
My daughter says we need an app! You’re good with the computers, make me one!
The one thing I already knew: Bring me a problem, not the answer
The Problem: Crickets
The Answer: An inclusive, random “Question Generator” for student presentations
The Process: What needed to happen? 1. University Approval 2. Generate Content 3. App Development 4. Marketing
Optimally, these things would occurin order, one after the other
Thing I learned #1: If the app was going to launch in 15 months, all 4 would have to happen at the same time
Thing I learned #2: There are thousands of resources on a university campus. These resources are in silos. Look in every silo.
Thing I learned #3: Identify Stakeholders. Think outside the chain of command. Customize every pitch.
Thing I learned #4: Pick my battles.
Thing I learned #5: Clearly define content parameters. Scope Creep is the enemy.
Thing I learned #6: Use a 3rd party editor for consistent style/voice
Thing I learned #7: Every decision counts: I need to get the most for my audience using the resources I have.
Development Decision #1
Native v. HTML5 v. Hybrid v. ?
Thing I learned #8: Test usability early and often
Thing I learned #9: Make it easy for users to provide feedback and plan for at least 2 short-term revisions… and one long-term revision.
Thing I learned #10: Getting approval for sexual health content on an IOS app will make you reconsider your career path.
Thing I learned #11: Create videos using screenshots and mockups as early as possible. Update along the way.
Thing I learned #12: Own your truth. Know your audience and don’t feed the trolls.
Things I learned as a person:
• It’s OK to giggle and laugh (at one’s self or a situation). Although my conversations about sex have become less awkward over time, nothing salvages an awkward meeting like permission to laugh.
• Keep my wife in the loop. It’s one thing to talk about sex positivity at work and quite another to talk about it over dinner at your in-law’s house.
• It isn’t enough to notice my privilege, I have to leverage it.
Keith Van Norman Health Promotion Marketing Manager
University of Oregon
@SexPositiveUO HealthyUO
sexpositive.uoregon.edu