I’m Janice, a designer and Landscape Architect, and I’ve built the full UI/UX design (in Figma) for an iOS app that empowers homeowners to plan and visualize landscape renovations for their properties. I’ve done sufficient interactive testing with homeowners and I am now looking for a software consultancy to be my long term partner both for the initial build of this app, as well as ongoing maintenance and enhancements as it grows. I have built other apps before and our team has advisors with technical expertise to oversee development progress.  

Important: I’m only considering working with firms that are open minded in supporting a fixed fee model for two distinct phases: 1) an initial scoping phase with a trial of core technology and 2) a larger build. If you have a policy where you will not ever accommodate fixed-fee projects, please do not bid/apply. Note that I have done a lot of work refining the product and writing functional specifications such that you’ll be able to bid accurately, and we’ll be aligned on scope.

The bulk of the app capabilities should involve either commonly implemented features or the ability to leverage various SDKs (I have my list of suggestions) and existing open source projects. There is, however, one area of the app that will require cutting-edge technical expertise in object manipulation relative to map data by leveraging ESRI APIs. So let me start there.

KEY TECHNICAL CHALLENGE

Users will need to be able to drag and drop landscape features (e.g. dining patio, entry walkway, firepit area) onto a high-quality map of their property, scaling and manipulating these objects while retaining their real-world scale. Our initial analysis determines this will require:

– Integration with mapping tools and the right APIs to enable accurate representation of the user’s property and pulling in a satellite image from these APIs in as high of resolution as possible.
– Leveraging my library of at-scale and dimensioned features such that the user can drop these onto the map while ensuring that the scale holds true for all components (e.g. this means the user cannot accidentally make a chair bigger than a pool).
– Managing the complex UX of a drag and drop editor where users can add, delete, resize, and reorder these objects. Note that I have all of these interactions primarily mocked and documented.
– Ensuring that the plan can be exported to various forms, including PDF and image file types, while maintaining accurate scale (i.e. exactly what the user saw on screen).

Thus the ideal partner for this project will have experience building iOS apps that leverage complex object manipulation on a canvas.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Other notable features of the app should present fewer technical challenges and will include items such as:

Feature Browsing
– The app has a set of landscape features that users can add to their plan. You’ll need to implement a browsing and saving functionality similar to an e-commerce platform, allowing users to explore and save landscape features and materials. I plan to use an SDK for content.

Augmented Reality (AR) Integration
– These features from the bullet above are built in 3D. I’ll need you to incorporate AR capabilities via ARKit to let users visualize landscape features in their real-world environment using their device’s camera.

Collaborate by Creating and Sharing Projects
– Enable users to create, sort, and save multiple unique landscape projects with different selections and settings.
– Provide options for users to invite collaborators and export plans as PDF and JPEG files for saving, emailing, and social sharing.

Local Professional Search
– To support users with their project installations, I’d like to make it easier to find local landscape industry professionals. As it stands, I believe this will require an integration with the Google Maps APIs to allow users to find pros near their location, displaying existing business information, photos, and reviews.

Project Logging and Maintenance Notifications
– There is a feature to keep a running log of in-progress and completed projects. This requires support for users to input text and upload files within these entries.
– Users enabling notifications will be able to trigger maintenance reminders to support the success of their property enhancements.

AI-Powered Queries and Recommendations
– For two features, we’ll need to leverage LLM APIs (likely GPT-4o or Perplexity) to provide intelligent recommendations based on user inputs, location data, and selection settings.
– We’ll need to implement a system that combines pre-set prompts with user inputs to generate these tailored suggestions. We will need to leverage the Google image search API as well.

A FEW NOTES

Other things that are worthy of mention:

– I’d like to use SDKs for as much as possible. I’ve found about 12 SDKs that cover the bulk of the app features, though will be open to suggestions.
– Though I don’t plan to have an Android app for the time being, I’d welcome firms that lay foundations to later make this port easier down the road.
– Though I’ve done enough testing with the Figma that I believe I’m 95%+ of the way there, I recognize that there will be some changes along the way and I’d like bids to accommodate this buffer.

What’s important to me in a partner:

– Speedy and transparent communication, ideally in Slack, as well as strong organizational skills.  
– Assignment of a Project Manager that serves as a responsive point-person, experienced in leading cross-functional teams, managing project timelines, and ensuring effective collaboration among team members, including myself.
– Though you’ll be able to consider me your “Design Lead” as part of the team, I’d love your firm to have strong design implementation capabilities to enable pixel perfect implementation of my Figma, as well a solid base understanding of UX norms such that you’re able to make progress independently as well.
– A thought through model (in advance) of what happens on the other side of launch and approach to long term maintenance and revisions as the app grows.

NEXT STEPS

If you and your firm are interested, I look forward to getting to know you. Here’s how I plan to select my partner:

1.  First round interviews
2.  NDA execution and Figma mock shared. Proposals due July 17.
3.  Final interviews and bids with me and my collaborators.

Please for the screening questions, have the relevant member of your technical team answer vs. simply the sales professional.

Thank you so much for your interest in this project!

Posted On: July 02, 2024 18:22 UTC
Category: Mobile App Development
Skills:ARKit, Smartphone, iOS Development, iOS, Mobile App Development

Country: United States

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