Exploring the Indie Journey: From Designer to Successful App Developer

In this episode of Going Indie Podcast, we sit down with Hidde van der Ploeg, an indie developer and designer. Hidde shares his journey from being a designer to teaching himself to code and building successful apps like Gola, NowPlaying, and Helm. He talks about starting with Objective-C, transitioning to Swift, and the challenges and triumphs along the way. Hidde also discusses the importance of design consistency, dealing with client projects, the role of inspiration, and why collaboration can be beneficial for indie developers. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for aspiring indie developers, designers, and anyone interested in the intersection of design and development.

This episode is sponsored by Adapty: Revenue manage­ment platform for mobile apps.

Ready to turn your passion into independence? Follow Antoine's course, "From Side Project to Going Indie", at going-indie.com.

TIMESTAMPS

• (00:00) - Introduction to the Golden Ratio
• (00:13) - Welcome to the Deep Podcast
• (00:21) - Interview with Hidde van der Ploeg
• (00:35) - Hidde's Journey from Designer to Developer
• (03:20) - Learning to Code: Hidde's Experience
• (05:20) - First App Development Challenges
• (06:03) - The Evolution of Hidde's Apps
• (06:54) - The Importance of WatchOS
• (10:51) - Transitioning to Full-Time Indie Development
• (19:29) - Adapty Sponsorship
• (20:19) - How you can go Indie
• (21:05) - Balancing Client Work and Indie Projects
• (23:03) - Design Inspiration and Style
• (29:53) - Understanding the Design Process
• (30:29) - Starting with a Problem
• (31:05) - Designing for Clarity and Personal Touch
• (33:09) - Balancing Functionality and Aesthetics
• (37:03) - Importance of Consistency in Design
• (38:39) - Hierarchy and Spacing in Design
• (42:29) - Learning Design Through Practice
• (52:49) - Collaborating and Sharing Ideas
• (54:37) - Challenges and Solutions in Indie Development
• (55:28) - Working with Partners and Revenue Sharing
• (58:57) - Concluding Thoughts and Inspirations

ABOUT OUR PODCAST
Join Antoine van der Lee on Going Indie, the podcast that explores the journeys of independent creators and developers. Each month, Antoine chats with indie creators from around the world, uncovering the strategies, challenges, and habits that helped them turn side projects into thriving businesses. Whether you dream of going indie or want to refine your journey, this podcast delivers real-world insights and practical advice. Ready to take the leap? Follow Antoine’s course, From Side Project to Going Indie, at going-indie.com.

Check out the full podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg4qABgFp_nR8uTWuI9EoUa2TFma4ifFv
Don’t forget to subscribe!

Check out my course if you're ready to start your indie journey:
https://www.going-indie.com

THIS PODCAST IS MADE POSSIBLE BY SWIFTLEE
https://www.avanderlee.com

AND ROCKETSIM
The "Essential Developer Tool for App Developers" as recommended by Apple:
https://www.rocketsim.app

GET IN TOUCH
Contact us on youtube@avanderlee.com

SPONSOR THE NEXT EPISODE
You can find all the details here: https://podcast.going-indie.com/sponsor

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!
Twitter: twitter.com/twannl
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/41dH1bzaTZ2ZZsZ9g6UD2a

In the premiere episode of the Going Indie Podcast, host Antoine dives deep with seasoned indie developer Jordi Bruin.

They explore the intricacies of managing and updating multiple apps, fast-paced development strategies, and transitioning from industry analyst to indie developer. The conversation highlights leveraging new APIs for inspiration and balancing personal and professional projects. Jordi also shares his unique '2-2-2 methodology' for app creation, tips on building a personal audience, staying motivated, and embracing the indie lifestyle.

This episode is sponsored by superwall.com: Quickly build & test paywalls without shipping updates.

Ready to turn your passion into independence? Follow Antoine's course, "From Side Project to Going Indie", at going-indie.com.

TIMESTAMPS

• (00:00) - New APIs and Inspiration
• (00:17) - Introduction to the Going Indie Podcast
• (00:49) - Meet Jordi Bruin: Indie Developer
• (01:18) - Jordi's Journey to Development
• (02:24) - From Agency to Indie: The Transition
• (04:27) - Early Projects and Learning Curves
• (07:59) - Going Full-Time Indie
• (12:55) - Mac Utility Apps and Quick Success
• (13:41) - The Notch App and Press Attention
• (16:42) - SuperWall Sponsorship
• (17:40) - Leveraging New APIs for Innovation
• (30:20) - The 2-2-2 Methodology
• (33:28) - The Two-Week Release Strategy
• (34:33) - Prioritizing Core Features
• (35:27) - Leveraging Past Projects
• (36:14) - Iterative Development and Feedback
• (39:16) - The Bakery App Success Story
• (43:11) - Maintaining and Updating Apps
• (53:53) - Building an Audience and Marketing
• (01:04:55) - Tips for Aspiring Indie Developers

ABOUT OUR PODCAST
Join Antoine van der Lee on Going Indie, the podcast that explores the journeys of independent creators and developers. Each month, Antoine chats with indie creators from around the world, uncovering the strategies, challenges, and habits that helped them turn side projects into thriving businesses. Whether you dream of going indie or want to refine your journey, this podcast delivers real-world insights and practical advice. Ready to take the leap? Follow Antoine’s course, From Side Project to Going Indie, at https://www.going-indie.com.

Check out the full podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg4qABgFp_nR8uTWuI9EoUa2TFma4ifFv
Don’t forget to subscribe!

Check out my course if you're ready to start your indie journey:
https://www.going-indie.com

THIS PODCAST IS MADE POSSIBLE BY SWIFTLEE
https://www.avanderlee.com

AND ROCKETSIM
The "Essential Developer Tool for App Developers" as recommended by Apple:
https://www.rocketsim.app

GET IN TOUCH
Contact us on youtube@avanderlee.com

SPONSOR THE NEXT EPISODE
You can find all the details here: https://podcast.going-indie.com/sponsor

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/twannl
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41dH1bzaTZ2ZZsZ9g6UD2a