For the past four years, I’ve been deeply immersed in the field of UI/UX design. During this time, I’ve built mobile apps, web apps, and websites for various clients. It’s safe to say I’ve dabbled in almost every aspect of the design world. What started as a passion has evolved into a fulfilling career, taking me from the vibrant state of Kerala all the way to the busy streets of London, where I’ve had the privilege of designing for many major brands.

My journey has been filled with challenges and learning opportunities, but the excitement of each new project keeps me hooked. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing your designs come to life and knowing they’re being used by people around the world.

Drawing Inspiration from Everyday Life

One of the best aspects of being a designer is the ability to draw inspiration from everyday life. I’ve always believed that good design solves real-world problems, so I thought, why not use my skills to address issues that I encounter regularly?

My strength is design, so I’ve decided to focus on creating apps and web apps that tackle problems I face. While I have a background in coding (thanks to my computer science degree), I made a conscious decision to leave coding behind—trust me, there’s a reason for that! Coding is a whole different beast, and it’s not something I enjoy as much as design. But an app is only as good as its execution, and that’s where development comes in.

Partnering with a Developer Friend

Realising the importance of getting these apps built, I knew I needed help from someone who was more skilled in coding. That’s when I teamed up with a friend who is an experienced developer. Together, we decided to create apps that are not only functional but also visually appealing and user-friendly.

Setting the Ground Rules

Before diving into development, we knew we needed a clear plan to stay on track and ensure our projects didn’t spiral out of control. We set some ground rules:

Quick Turnaround: Since both of us have full-time jobs and other responsibilities, we agreed that each app should be small enough to be designed and developed within a month. This ensures we maintain momentum and avoid burnout.

Low Maintenance Cost: These apps aren’t being built with the intention of generating revenue—at least not at the start. We want to create tools that solve real problems without having to worry about high maintenance costs or ongoing expenses.

Use Existing Design Systems: To speed up development and reduce the time spent creating custom designs, I’ll be using existing design systems and React components. This allows us to focus more on functionality and less on reinventing the wheel with every project.

Scalable Design: We want to make sure the apps we create are scalable. This means using reusable components—like a common login screen, for example—that can save us time in the long run. A well-thought-out design system not only speeds up the process but also makes future iterations much easier.

Build in Public: One of the core principles of this project is transparency. We’ll be building everything in public, sharing our journey along the way. By documenting our process, we hope to provide value to others who might be interested in taking on similar projects. It’s not just about creating apps—it’s about sharing the lessons we learn along the way.

Web-Based First: All the apps we create will be web-based initially. Web apps allow for faster development and easier deployment across different platforms. Once we gain enough traction and have a solid user base, we’ll consider wrapping the apps for iOS and Android. This phased approach helps us focus on delivering value before committing to additional development efforts.

Documenting the Process on Social Media

In today’s world, it’s not enough to simply build something—you need to get the word out. Social media seemed like the perfect avenue for documenting our process and engaging with a wider audience. But with so many platforms out there, we needed to evaluate each one’s strengths and weaknesses.

Twitter (X): This platform is fantastic for community building. It’s easy to find like-minded individuals and engage with them in meaningful ways. Twitter’s strength lies in its simplicity—you can quickly post updates, share links, and spark conversations. However, since Elon Musk’s takeover, there’s been a noticeable shift toward monetization, making it harder to gain traction without paying for visibility. That said, the effort required to create content is minimal, and it’s still an excellent platform for driving traffic.

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is home to a more professional, mature audience. The tone is more formal, making it a great platform for getting recognition in the industry. One of the biggest advantages is its straightforward algorithm, which seems to reward consistent posting and engagement. However, LinkedIn tends to discourage external links, making it tricky to direct users to our apps.

YouTube: When it comes to building a passionate following, YouTube is hard to beat. Video content is incredibly engaging, and it offers the potential for generating revenue through ads and sponsorships. The downside? Creating high-quality videos takes a lot of time and effort. From scripting and filming to editing, the process can be time-consuming. But if done right, YouTube could be a goldmine for building a strong, loyal community.

Instagram: This is the platform I’m most familiar with, having recently started creating content here. Instagram’s reach is largely driven by short-form videos like Reels, which do require some effort to produce but can lead to great visibility. The major drawback is that it’s hard to direct users to an external site or app. You’re mostly reliant on the links in your bio, which isn’t ideal, as it adds extra steps for the user.

Other Platforms: I’ll admit I’m not too familiar with platforms like Reddit and TikTok, but they’re definitely on my radar. Both have unique audiences and could be valuable for expanding our reach. I plan to explore them further before making any final decisions.

Consistency Is Key

One important lesson I’ve learned from my time creating content is that consistency is everything. Whether you’re posting on Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, building a following takes time, effort, and a regular posting schedule. Creating engaging content isn’t easy, especially when balancing it with full-time work, but the key is to stay consistent. The more value you provide to your audience, the more likely they are to stick around and follow your journey.

Stay Tuned: Our First App Is on the Way!

With all that in mind, it’s time to get started on our first app. Spoiler alert: It’s something related to meal prepping! We’re excited to share more details soon, so stay tuned for updates on this exciting project. Whether you’re a designer, developer, or just someone interested in app creation, we hope you’ll join us on this journey!