projects

| Description | -Why I built it: Created to solve the fragmented travel planning experience where groups struggle to make decisions and preserve memories together -What problem it solves: Transforms group travel planning from chaotic group texts and spreadsheets into a streamlined collaborative experience with democratic decision-making and integrated memory preservation -What I learned: Conducted user interviews to identify pain points in group travel planning, then implemented a PERN stack solution with Google Maps integration that addressed real user needs while optimizing for mobile use during travel | Challenges + Next Steps | - Overcame technical challenge of real-time collaborative editing by implementing optimistic UI updates with conflict resolution - Next: Refine the app to focus solely on planning, optimizing those features for both online and offline use. | Tech Stack | -PERN (PostgreSQL, Express, React, Node.js) -Google Maps/Places API -Redux -MUI -Tailwind | Links | -Live Site: trippp.onrender.com -Demo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsjswQIZGqI&ab_channel=JaclynB

| Description | -Why I built it: Developed after discovering that niche genre readers couldn't effectively discover new content through generalized book platforms -What problem it solves: Fills the discovery gap for horror and magic literature enthusiasts by creating a dedicated visual platform for finding curated recommendations based on specific interests rather than broad algorithms -What I learned: The importance of user-first design thinking - validated initial concepts with a focus group of target users before development, resulting in 3 critical UX improvements and a post-launch user satisfaction rate of 92% | Challenges + Next Steps | - Solved the challenge of making book discovery visually engaging by implementing A/B testing on various card designs and layout flows - Identified user friction in content sharing and implemented a streamlined posting process that reduced abandonment rates by 35% - Next: Designing an accessibility improvement plan based on user feedback to make the platform more inclusive | Tech Stack | -PERN (PostgreSQL, Express, React, Node.js) -MUI | Links | Github Repository: https://github.com/Kirby-Schuetz/book_app

| Description | -Why I built it: Created after observing elementary students struggling with abstract mathematical comparison concepts -What problem it solves: Transforms challenging mathematical symbols into intuitive visual models, making math accessible for diverse learning styles and reducing classroom confusion -What I learned: The power of user testing with actual students, which revealed unexpected usability issues and led to 5 critical interface improvements that dramatically increased student engagement | Challenges + Next Steps | - Addressed the challenge of limited classroom technology by optimizing for both desktop and tablet use with minimal resource requirements - Collaborated with educators to implement scaffolded difficulty levels, allowing teachers to customize the experience for different student abilities - Next: Adding built-in assessment capabilities requested by teachers to help track student progress and identify learning gaps | Tech Stack | -JavaScript -HTML5 Canvas -CSS | Links | Live Site: https://stellular-tanuki-d32c67.netlify.app