Richard Pillaca
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FULL STACKSep 2023 – Nov 20234 min read

Bookstore

Mobile inventory tracking app with intuitive UI and Firebase backend.

Android StudioJavaFigmaFirebaseStripeGit

Overview

A mobile inventory tracking application developed as a group project to streamline bookstore management and customer purchases.

The Problem

Bookstore inventory management systems are often clunky desktop applications that make it difficult for staff to check stock on the floor, and lack modern, intuitive interfaces for both staff and customers.

Questions Addressed

  1. 01

    How can we design an inventory tracking system that staff actually enjoy using?

  2. 02

    What is the most robust way to sync live inventory state to mobile clients?

Methodology

Phase 1

Prototype Design

Designed a Figma prototype focusing on an intuitive user experience, achieving a 95% user approval rate.

Figma
Phase 2

Development & Refinement

Implemented the functional app using Android Studio and Java, integrating Firebase for real-time tracking.

Android StudioJavaFirebaseStripe

Key Results

95%User approval
30%Fewer issues

Key Findings

01

Investing heavily in high-fidelity Figma prototypes saved over 20 hours of development rework.

02

Firebase real-time sync dramatically simplified the architecture vs a traditional REST pattern.

Conclusion

The iterative design and development process resulted in a highly usable final product, evidenced by the significant drop in user-reported issues post-refinement.

Gallery

Bookstore screenshot 1