This was my first professional project, which I created and programmed as a solo developer. Originally the project brief was to update the current Octagon Frame Tool which was lacking product updates and relied heavily on deprecated plugins, alongside optimisation and usability issues.
Post-review it was decided instead that the app would need to be rebuilt from scratch with the aim to improve upon previously implemented features while updating the app’s functionality and overall user experience.
My previous experience in Unity and agile development allowed me to build a new and improved tool with optimised workflow and a better user experience. I aimed to create an app to be used as a more involved tool for the sales team to use to streamline the process for creating and selling standard and custom frame configurations. This was achieved by connecting it to a backend user portal system via an API.
It was also planned for this app to be built to support multiple platforms to create a flexible and practical tool to help sales representatives in the field work more efficiently and effectively.
The new version of the OctApp relies on a drag and drop system making frames fast and easy to build. In addition, it lends itself to the simplicity of interactions typically associated with tablet devices, allowing users to access Escape's wide range of attachments and fitness equipment to show to clients.
The OctApp will allow users to locally store and send frame configurations to a sever which can process user created content and output them as a parts list to be manufactured and later installed within a functional space.
Being the solo programmer for this project was a challenge, however I believe that taking on challenges is a great way to learn. From this role I have improved upon my general understanding of C#, writing code to work with an API, and my knowledge of user experience and design. I also found this experience invaluable since I had a lot of responsibility in this role, therefore meaning I took initiative and moved the project forward by scheduling meetings with departments and communicating both in person and through Slack. I also managed my own time and tasks through Jira as well as maintaining my code using Bitbucket.
I developed a good working relationship with my supervisor who overlooked and supported my progress. We collaborated on idea development and setup user testing sessions throughout the development cycle.
This application began at the start of my employment in January 2019 and was estimated to take 6-12 months to finish working from the pre-existing codebase of the old application. Despite rebuilding the app from the ground up, we kept within the original time scale. The OctApp is currently being used on both PC and Mac with an IOS port in development. So far this project has been presented at the 2019 distributor event in Bangkok in addition to being used in the field by Escape Fitness sales representatives before company distributors.
