My Work

Calmtopia Overview

Calmtopia is an immersive virtual reality app that provides guided meditation experiences across multiple calming 3D environments. As the lead project manager, I oversaw the full lifecycle development and launch of this innovative app.

The goal of the Calmtopia project is to leverage virtual reality technology to create an immersive and customizable digital environment that promotes mindfulness, relaxation, and overall well-being. By transporting users to serene, explorable natural settings complete with calming 3D sounds and visuals, the app offers a unique escape from daily stresses. Calmtopia provides intelligently adapted meditation sessions ranging from 3 to 60 minutes, featuring unique guided practices, mantras, affirmations, and breathing exercises tailored to each experience. Through the seamless blend of breathtaking virtual realms and engaging meditation content delivered via the immersive nature of VR, this project aims to establish an unparalleled digital sanctuary where users can find inner peace, reduce stress, and facilitate personal transformation.

Key Challenges & Restraints

• Integrating accurate 3D spatial audio and environmental sounds
  Developing intelligent meditation content adaptation algorithms
• Ensuring accessibility and comfort during extended VR sessions
• User testing and iterating on the virtual environments and meditation flows
• Optimizing performance and graphics rendering for smooth VR visualization across different hardware
• Designing an intuitive and seamless user experience within a virtual reality environment

Methodology

•  Agile approach was utilized to promote iterative development.

Tools and processes implemented

• Project management software: Asana
• Regular stand-up meetings, sprint planning, backlog refinement
• Free Game engine: Unity personal edition
• Open source 3D asset libraries
• Assets purchased on sale
• Streamlined processes with a very small team

Timeline and budget details:

• 2022-2023 timeframe for the full conception to delivery
• Critically limited total budget of only $500

Team structure and collaboration approach:

• Extremely lean core team, 2 people
• Lack of funding for hiring separate disciplinary specialists
• Developers handled multiple roles like coding, environments, UI/UX, video editing, and testing.

Deliverables and Outcomes Achieved

• Managed to ship the base Calmtopia VR meditation app across platforms
• But features/environments very likely scaled back due to budget limits
• Strategic reuse of free/affordable Unity assets and audio
• Creative solutions to overcome extremely constrained funding

F.A.C.T.S Writing

The goal of this project was to establish a comprehensive online presence and operational infrastructure for a new professional writing services company called “F.A.C.T.S Writing.” This involved several key components:

1. Branding and Identity: Clearly define the brand identity, value proposition, and positioning for F.A.C.T.S Writing within the competitive writing services market.
2. Website Development: Design and develop a modern, user-friendly website to showcase the company’s services, portfolio, pricing, and serve as the primary marketing and lead generation channel.
3. Business Operations: Set up critical operational elements like a professional business email solution, secure hosting environment, and lay the groundwork for customer inquiries and project management processes.
4. Client Collaboration: Work closely with the client (likely the business owner) to understand their vision, incorporate feedback, and ensure the final deliverables aligned with their specific requirements and branding preferences.

Key Challenges & Restraints

• Defining a clear and distinct brand identity in a crowded market
• Creating an informative yet visually appealing website design
• Securing reliable and scalable web hosting within budget constraints
• Incorporating iterative client feedback into website design efficiently

Methodology

• With the condensed 1-month timeline, the Agile approach with continuous feedback loops from the client

Tools and processes implemented

• Project management tool: Asana for task tracking
• Cloud-based design/prototyping tool: moqups.com
• Consistent communication channels with client for feedback sharing via email and google docs

Timeline and budget details:

• Total project duration of approximately 1 month
• Project budget of $800

Team structure and collaboration approach:

• Lean team, just me as the project manager/developer
• Close partnership with the client for creative direction and approvals

Deliverables and Outcomes Achieved

• Fully deployed and launched F.A.C.T.S Writing website
• Established professional business email and hosting infrastructure
• Distinctive branding and content tailored for the writing services
• Iterative implementation of client feedback into final website design

Meditation And I

Develop an innovative mobile app called “Smart Audio” (later renamed “Meditation and I”) featuring AI-powered intelligent guided meditation sessions and mindfulness content. This multi-year project involved app design, custom AI algorithm development, audio content recording, fundraising efforts, and core team coordination.

Key Challenges & Restraints

• Building a custom AI algorithm in-house with a small development team
• Extended timeline due to the complexity of the AI voice personalization technology
• Limited initial $1500 budget, requiring supplemental fundraising initiatives
• Managing freelance voiceover artist contractors alongside core app development
• Getting approved through iOS and Play store

Methodology

• An Agile/iterative approach was crucial for breaking down the AI algorithm development into incremental milestones alongside the app design/audio recording components.

Tools and processes implemented

• Project management tool like Asana for task tracking, team communication, file sharing
• Version control and AI model management systems
• Processes for audio recording reviews, feedback loops with voiceover artists
• Project management of fundraising initiatives (Kickstarter campaign, business pitch)

Timeline and budget details:

• Initial $1500 budget allocated in 2020 for founding the project
• Extended multi-year timeline from 2020 to launch due to AI voice tech complexities
• Small award from business pitch competition

Team structure and collaboration approach:

• Extremely lean core team of just me as the project manager, a software developer, and contracted voiceover talent
• Me overseeing all workstreams – AI development, app design, audio recording, fundraising
• Remote collaboration and clear processes for coordinating with freelance voiceover artists

Deliverables and Outcomes Achieved

• Successful launch of “Meditation and I” mobile app with intelligent AI-guided meditation capabilities
• Custom AI voice algorithm development completed in-house by the small team
• High-quality voiceover recordings integrated with the app’s meditation content
• Secured supplemental funding to support the extended development runway