Kraig Kistler’s path into iOS app development is a testament to his passion for design and technology. Hailing from sunny Southern California, Kraig enjoys cooking, surfing, and skiing, but his career passion lies in designing and coding. With over two decades of experience in graphic design, Kraig has always had an eye for aesthetics and user experience. His fascination with digital platforms eventually led him to the world of app development, which has inspired him to make a significant impact.
Manifestation Menu
Kraig’s most notable achievement so far is the creation of the Manifestation Menu app. This innovative tool, developed with insights from Reiki Master Robert Lovy (who is also the app’s Creative Director) aims to help users practice the Law of Attraction. Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction, relaxation, and healing, heavily influenced the app’s overall development. Visit the app here.
The app features a unique Menu approach to personal growth and goal attainment, allowing users to personalize their journeys, create custom manifestation recipes, and track progress with a visually engaging Progress Wheel. By encouraging daily activation through vocalizing manifestations, the app reinforces users’ commitments and enhances the manifestation process. It’s a fantastic tool for mastering positive thinking and intention setting in a structured, interactive way.
Overcoming Challenges with CWC
Transitioning from graphic design to app development wasn’t a walk in the park. While Kraig’s design background gave him a solid grip on aesthetics and user experience, diving into SwiftUI, MVVM architecture, Core Data, SwiftData, UI and Views, refactoring, and animation was quite the challenge.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed at first, Kraig looked for structured learning paths to connect his design knowledge with technical skills. The game-changer came when he found CodeWithChris (CWC), a platform that turned his learning journey from frustrating to empowering. Through tutorials, hands-on projects, and clear explanations, Kraig made significant strides in mastering SwiftUI and other tough areas.
“The personalized support and community engagement, through Q&A sessions, forums, and feedback, fostered a sense of belonging and collaboration. The comprehensive content, from foundational Swift programming to advanced SwiftUI features, made CWC the best resource for my app development journey,” Kraig said.
Indeed, his journey with CWC didn’t just boost his technical skills, but also ramped up his confidence in tackling app development projects.
In fact, completing CodeWithChris courses and launching the Manifestation Menu app opened new career horizons for Kraig. Now, he aspires to make a meaningful impact within the iOS development community by creating innovative apps that push the boundaries of iOS design and development.
Specifically, Kraig envisions working on projects that integrate advanced technologies like machine learning, augmented reality, and Internet of Things. He is passionate about contributing to the iOS developer community by sharing knowledge, mentoring aspiring developers, and collaborating on open-source projects.
His ultimate goal, he says, is to take on leadership roles within technology organizations, driving innovation in app development and shaping the future of digital products and services. He is particularly interested in optimizing iOS applications for accessibility and inclusivity.
5 Pieces of Advice
Kraig’s story is a powerful reminder that embarking on iOS app development without prior experience is achievable with the right mindset and resources. Here are some pieces of advice he wants to impart:
- Set Manageable Goals: Break down your objectives into smaller, achievable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Dedicate Daily Time to Learning: Consistency is key. Set aside time each day to practice and learn new skills.
- Engage with the Community: Join forums, attend Q&A sessions, and connect with peers or mentors for insights and encouragement.
- Persevere: Coding is as much about resilience as it is about syntax and design principles. Reflect on your progress, stay curious, and keep practicing.
- Leverage Resources: Utilize platforms like CodeWithChris that break down complex concepts into simple, digestible pieces for beginners.
Conclusion
Kraig’s transition from graphic design to app development is a testament to his passion, perseverance, and dedication to continuous learning. His success with the Manifestation Menu app showcases his ability to blend design and development seamlessly, creating a product that not only looks good but also delivers a profound user experience. If you’re inspired by Kraig’s story and want to explore the world of iOS development, start your own learning journey today. You never know, you might just create the next big thing.