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My Journey into No-Code Development: Scratching My Own Itch and Building a Portfolio

Jan 17, 2025

I started exploring no-code development tools out of necessity—a need to expand my portfolio while tackling real-world problems I face daily. The challenge I set for myself? Create at least three apps that solve practical issues. It’s been a fascinating journey of learning, iteration, and discovery. Here’s how it started and where it’s going.

The First App: AICalCount

In November 2024, I began a weight loss journey in preparation for total knee replacement surgery scheduled for March 12, 2025. With this goal in mind, I decided my first app would be a calorie-counting tool, optimized for mobile use. Weight loss is a deeply personal journey for me, and I wanted to create something that would make tracking calories easier, faster, and smarter.

Inspired by YouTube videos mentioning calAI.app, I started researching the competition. I found only two apps leveraging AI to simplify calorie tracking for users. This gap motivated me to build my own solution. Version 1 of AICalCount is now live: https://vitamai-ithinkmedia.replit.app/. It’s functional, mobile-optimized, and an exciting first step. I’ll be sharing an in-depth review of the other apps I explored and what I learned during the creation of AICalCount in an upcoming article.

The Second App: ArtSpark

Next, I turned my attention to a tool for artists, ArtSpark. This app aims to inspire creators and help them ignite their artistic ideas. ArtSpark has gone through several iterations, but it’s not quite ready to share as a functional app. While I was making progress, I decided to shift gears and tackle a project that felt more tangible and closer to my heart.

The Dream App: Artsy Gallery

Artsy Gallery (a working title) is the app I’ve dreamed about creating for years. It will be a feature-rich tool allowing me to showcase and share my catalog of images with the community. It’s designed to be intuitive, beautiful, and practical, serving both artists and art enthusiasts. Building this app is a labor of love, and I’m excited to begin testing it soon. Once it’s ready, I’ll launch it right here on vlane.ART!

Why These Apps Matter

These apps are more than projects; they are stepping stones to building a new career and life after losing my love on March 9, 2024. Creating tools that solve real problems and sharing my journey along the way has been therapeutic and motivating. Through these projects, I’ve learned new skills, challenged myself, and started building a portfolio of SaaS and web apps that I hope will support me in this next chapter of life.

What’s Next?

I’ll be reviewing both AICalCount and other AI-driven calorie-counting apps in detail, sharing insights on what worked, what didn’t, and what sets AICalCount apart. I’ll also keep you updated on ArtSpark and Artsy Gallery as they progress. These stories are just the beginning, and I’m ready to share more—stories filled with suspense, heroes, cannabis, and intrigue.

Stay tuned for updates, app launches, and a deeper dive into the world of no-code development. It’s been a journey of learning, creating, and rediscovering myself, and I’m excited to take you along for the ride.

Feature Comparison: ARTify vs. Dream App Vision

This comparison evaluates the features implemented in ARTify against the envisioned functionalities of the Dream App, helping identify what’s aligned, what needs improvement, and what remains to be developed.

Image Processing & Storage

Feature ARTify Dream App Vision Notes for Improvement
Multi-resolution image processing ✔ Small, Medium, Large, XLarge, Ultra resolutions Same, with batch processing and dynamic resizing. Already implemented. Confirm if resolutions match desired sizes.
Automatic image resizing ✔ Fully implemented Same Matches your vision.
Color palette extraction ✔ Integrated Same Ensure extraction is accurate and appealing to users.
Batch upload support ✔ Available Essential for bulk image management Satisfies bulk upload requirement.
Organized file storage system ✔ Implemented Same Ensure storage scales as the library grows.

AI & Metadata

Feature ARTify Dream App Vision Notes for Improvement
AI-powered image analysis ✔ OpenAI-powered Advanced AI for tagging, descriptions, categorization Matches vision but ensure metadata accuracy and style relevance.
Automatic metadata generation ✔ Automated metadata creation Same Meets expectations.
Smart tagging system ✔ Integrated Same Ensure tags enhance search functionality.
Art style classification ✔ Implemented Needed for better categorization and Pro-tier enhancements Review if style classifications align with user goals (e.g., artistic movements).
Automated descriptions ✔ Available Same Matches vision; confirm description quality.

Gallery Features

Feature ARTify Dream App Vision Notes for Improvement
Responsive image grid layout ✔ Fully functional Same No changes needed.
Advanced image modal ✔ Implemented with detailed view Popup with title, tags, Pro/free options, color palette display Confirm modal integrates Pro/free download functionality.
Tag-based search ✔ Integrated Same Ensure search is intuitive.
Color palette visualization ✔ Included Same Matches expectations; consider color-based filtering.
View count tracking ✔ Functional Same Meets analytics needs.
Image category management ✔ Admin tool available Needed for organized navigation Matches expectations; ensure flexibility for growth.

User Management

Feature ARTify Dream  Notes for Improvement
User registration/authentication ✔ Implemented Same Fully functional.
Role-based access control ✔ Public, member, admin roles Same Matches vision perfectly.
Admin dashboard ✔ Admin tools integrated Same Sufficient for now; consider custom options.
Password reset ✔ Fully functional Same Meets expectations.
Session management ✔ Secure session handling Same Matches vision.

Pro Subscription System

Feature ARTify Dream App Vision Notes for Improvement
Monthly/yearly billing ✔ Stripe integration complete Same Ensure billing flexibility and ease of use.
Pro-exclusive high-res downloads ✔ Integrated Pro users should access high-res, watermark-free images Matches vision; ensure clear upselling for Pro features.
Subscription tracking ✔ Available Needed to manage user tiers effectively Fully implemented.

Admin Features

Feature ARTify Dream App Vision Notes for Improvement
Image management ✔ Batch processing, visibility controls, metadata editing Same Could add advanced tools like duplicate detection.
User management ✔ Admin-level user controls Needed for managing user accounts Matches expectations.
Analytics dashboard ✔ Basic analytics available Advanced user behavior analytics Add granular data like Pro user activity and trends.

Technical Features

Feature ARTify Dream App Vision Notes for Improvement
PostgreSQL integration ✔ Integrated Same Matches vision; ensure scalability.
Secure file handling ✔ Available Same Fully implemented.
API endpoints ✔ Exposed for image operations Needed for frontend-backend integration Matches vision.
Logging system ✔ Included Needed for error tracking/debugging Ensure logs capture critical data.

UI/UX

Feature ARTify Dream App Vision Notes for Improvement
Responsive design ✔ Functional Same Fully implemented; optimize further for mobile.
Image modal with zoom ✔ Included Same Matches vision.
Download resolution selector ✔ Included Needed for Pro/free distinctions Ensure clear resolution labels and upsell messaging.
Loading states/progress ✔ Functional Needed for large galleries/uploads Matches expectations.

Next Steps

This comprehensive analysis shows that ARTify aligns well with the Dream App vision, but a few refinements and additional features could elevate it further. Prioritizing scalability, advanced analytics, and Pro features will ensure your app continues to meet user needs and your long-term goals.

Stay tuned as this dream evolves!

Curation in the Metaverse: Creative Ideas for Virtual Galleries

Oct 5, 2024

The metaverse is transforming the way we experience and interact with art, offering endless possibilities for curators to explore. In a virtual gallery, you’re not limited by physical space or traditional display methods—you can defy gravity, play with dimensions, and create immersive environments that engage viewers in ways a traditional gallery never could. Whether you’re curating for a virtual reality platform, a 3D online gallery, or a blockchain-based art space like Vitruveo, here are some exciting ideas for curating in the metaverse:

1. Defy the Laws of Physics

In the metaverse, the rules of the physical world don’t apply. Why stick to flat walls and traditional displays when you can have artwork float, rotate, or expand as the viewer approaches? You could even have visitors walk through the art itself, experiencing layers or hidden details as they pass through.

Idea: Create a virtual gallery where each artwork floats within a bubble, suspended in mid-air. As the viewer approaches, the bubble expands, and they can step inside to view hidden details or 3D elements not visible from the outside. This could be perfect for abstract art or surrealist works that defy conventional structure.

2. Immersive Art Environments

One of the most powerful aspects of virtual curation is the ability to completely control the environment. You’re not just curating art—you’re curating the space around it. Instead of placing artworks on plain backgrounds, you can build immersive environments that complement the themes of the pieces.

Idea: If you’re curating a nature-themed collection, why not create a gallery space that feels like a forest or a beach? Viewers can explore the art while hearing the sounds of rustling leaves or ocean waves. For a collection of futuristic, digital art, create a high-tech space with holographic elements and glowing pathways that respond to the viewer’s movements.

3. Interactive Elements

The metaverse is all about interactivity, so why not let viewers interact with the artwork in ways they can’t in a physical gallery? They could click on a piece to learn more about the artist, adjust the colors or lighting to see different versions of the work, or even contribute to a collaborative piece that evolves as more people engage with it.

Idea: For a photography exhibit, you could allow users to switch between different filters or times of day to see how lighting and context changes the mood of the photos. Or, for a collaborative digital artwork, viewers could add their own elements to a larger piece that evolves over time.

4. Play with Scale

In virtual spaces, size is no object. You can have artwork that is as large as a building or as small as a coin. Play with scale to create impactful moments for the audience. Imagine walking into a gallery and being dwarfed by a massive sculpture, or finding tiny hidden works of art in unexpected places.

Idea: Curate a gallery with large-scale sculptures that viewers can walk through, while placing smaller, intricate works in hidden corners. You could even create a “scale shift” room where every object appears to change size as the viewer moves through the space, giving a surreal twist to the art experience.

5. Multisensory Experiences

While traditional galleries are typically limited to visual experiences, the metaverse allows curators to engage multiple senses. You can incorporate soundscapes, music, voiceovers, and even haptic feedback to deepen the viewer’s connection with the artwork.

Idea: Curate a gallery where each piece is accompanied by a unique soundscape. A painting of a city street could be paired with the sounds of bustling traffic and distant conversations, while an abstract piece could be accompanied by experimental electronic music that mirrors its energy.

6. Themed Worlds

In a virtual gallery, you can completely change the “world” your visitors are in. Rather than creating a single environment, design multiple themed worlds that the audience can travel between, each tailored to the specific pieces you’re showcasing.

Idea: Imagine a gallery with different portals that transport the viewer to new dimensions, each representing a different art style or movement. For instance, one portal could lead to a surreal, dreamlike landscape for abstract art, while another could open to a retro-futuristic city for digital art and cyberpunk-inspired pieces.

7. Curating in Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality adds another layer of immersion to curating in the metaverse. With VR, viewers aren’t just passively observing—they’re inside the gallery. Consider how you can use this medium to enhance the spatial relationships between artworks, offering viewers a new way to engage with size, distance, and perspective.

Idea: Create a VR gallery where viewers physically walk through the space and experience changes in perspective as they move around and beneath the artworks. You can add interactive “hotspots” where viewers can learn more about the piece or see behind-the-scenes videos of the creative process.

8. Blockchain-Based Curation

With blockchain platforms like Vitruveo, curators have new tools to not only display but also own and sell art in a virtual gallery. Blockchain allows for transparency in art ownership and provenance, making it a key player in the future of virtual curation.

Idea: Curate an exhibition where every artwork is tokenized as an NFT (non-fungible token). Create a “gallery store” within the exhibition where viewers can browse and purchase art instantly, with full proof of ownership and authenticity, or feature collections from emerging digital artists looking to make a name in the NFT space.

Final Thoughts: The Future is Virtual

Curation in the metaverse is an exciting opportunity to rethink how we engage with art. It’s not just about displaying pieces in a traditional format—it’s about creating a fully immersive experience that connects with viewers on a deeper level. With limitless possibilities in virtual spaces, curators can break boundaries, engage audiences interactively, and redefine how art is shared and consumed.

So, go ahead and think big—because in the metaverse, the sky’s no longer the limit!