A new NASA contest is encouraging freelance app designers to design the interface for a new smartwatch app which will be used by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Advertised on the Freelancer website, the competition will run for about a month and will require applicants to design their app for use on the Samsung Gear 2, with a $1,500 prize in the offing.
Applicants are not expected to produce a functioning app, but rather a design for the interface -- in the form of PNG or JPEG wireframes that draw attention to the layout, look and feel of the design.
This NASA contest is a great example of the world's premier space agency using the brains and bright minds of the general population to improve conditions for astronauts.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Smartwatch App Design
- There is room for disruptive innovation in designing more intuitive and efficient smartwatch apps for astronauts and the general public.
- Crowdsourced Design Contests
- Hosting crowdsourced design contests could be an effective way for companies to receive innovative design ideas from freelance designers.
- Collaborating with Freelancers
- More traditional companies could benefit from collaborating with freelance designers for fresh and innovative ideas.
Sectors Adopting This
- Space Exploration Industry
- There is potential for innovative technologies to be developed and implemented in the space exploration industry.
- Smartwatch Industry
- Smartwatch companies could benefit from incorporating innovative ideas from freelance designers to improve their products.
- Freelance Design Industry
- The freelance design industry could be impacted positively by more companies hosting crowdsourced design contests in the future.
