In my previous two articles (Numbagories and Pictagories), I outlined the process of creating my first two personal mobile apps. This article outlines the 3rd app in my series of quiz apps. Topicgories is a FREE Android application where the aim is to solve music, sport, and tv/movie puzzles that are suitable for all ages and will have your mind boggled, your tongue twisted and your head rattled as you race against the clock to achieve those precious points. In this article, I will talk through how I expanded on my first two apps in order to create a brand new app. But in the meantime, please download and play along.

Name

When deciding on a name, I continued the same approach of my previous two apps; by settling on a name that was relevant, catchy and unique, and also having the social handles available. In the same way that Numbagories is related to numbers and Pictagories is related to pictures, Topicgories is related to quiz challenges for different topics (i.e. sport, music, and screen - tv/movies).

Reusability

After transforming my initial app and improving on the codebase in terms of quality, testing, and also reusability, I was able to reuse a lot of the features and functionality that was common across my series of apps.

Design

I think that design is something that can constantly evolve in order to improve over time. The more feedback you receive, the more you understand how users use your app. The more research you do on other apps, the more you learn about user psychology. All of which better equip yourself with the tools needed to create an app that delivers an impeccable user experience.

From Concept to Reality

I've been thinking of this app for a long long while now. Pictagories was very similar in terms of styling to Numbagories, so that was the natural next step. This app then built on the premise of providing different types of questions and allowing me to get creative in developing interesting ways to provide the challenges. Of all my apps, I'm most proud of this one as it combines a number of different image processing elements and has a number of creative ways to display the quiz questions.

Colour Palette

Inspiration can come from anywhere and in all shapes and sizes. I wanted to carry across some of the similar stylings and colours of my previous apps in order to make it feel like part of the same app family, but I also wanted to try and introduce a new complimentary primary colour into the mix. One of the days, I was walking past the L'Atitude 51 Wine Bar in Cork, as I have done on many occasions, but for some reason have never really noticed the colours. This time, possibly because I was looking for some colour inspiration, I noticed how nice the wine and cream colours complimented each other, along with the subtle grey in the stone work. This was exactly the colour scheme I was looking for, and tada, I had my colour scheme picked.

Logo

In continuation of the design flow for my previous apps, the logo followed suit. The logo that you see below, contains the first initial of the app name along with the name of the app underneath, and stays in line with the logo scheme for the series of apps. Looking at the logos of Numbagories, Pictagories, and Topicgories side by side, you automatically know that it's part of the same series of apps.

Gamification

They say 'don't fix it if it ain't broken'..... so I continued with the same achievements as my previous two apps. These achievements are split into 'In-Level Achievements' and also 'Evolution Achievements'. The in-level achievements are awarded while playing and completing a level with a specific focus on speed and accuracy. The evolution achievements are awarded for progression through the game. Both, in addition to achieving points for completing the levels, give the user a sense of completion, achievement, and also satisfaction. On each of the social media channels outlined below, throughout the course of the next few weeks, I will provide further information on each of these achievements and what needs to be done in order to be awarded them. I also have ideas on additional achievements I can add into later versions of the app, so watch this space.

Marketing

Once the app has been designed, developed, and tested, it was then time to publish to the store and market the app. The following are the steps that I've taken, and continuing to take, in order to market and brand the Topicgories app.

Domain and Social Media

In parallel to coming up with the name as outlined above, I secured the domain http://www.topicgories.com/ along with the handle @Topicgories for each of the major social media platforms.

Poster

Once I was happy with the design of the app, the next step was to create the poster. This poster is a good way to brand, provide an overview of what the app looks like, a quick description of what the app does, along with details of how to download, get in touch, and find out further information.



Intriguing Tagline

The next step was to create a tagline to compliment the poster. I chose this tagline to be similar to the style of Numbagories and Pictagories, again to strengthen the link between the series of apps and show they are all from the same family.

The next step was to create a tagline to compliment the poster. I chose this tagline to be similar to the style of Numbagories and Pictagories, again to strengthen the link between the series of apps and show they are all from the same family.

Website

Once the design, social media handles, poster, and additional information was complete, this can all be displayed on the website. The website is a good way to provide all the information to the user in a single interface.

Additional Information

At this point, everything is pretty much setup to allow people to find out information and download the app. The constant promotion and marketing of the app will be crucial in order to get more people to download, more feedback to improve, and more people invested in the series of apps. To complete the information, the following is the full text in relation to promoting Topicgories.

Topicgories is a FREE Android application where the aim is for you to solve the various puzzles on music, sport, and tv in order to earn points and achievements, evolve through the ranks, and complete the game. The quicker you solve the puzzles, the more points you will earn. Try and earn all the achievements to gain extra points.

Could you name the sport star from a pixelated image? Could you name the song from the opening lyric? Could you name the movie from a scene image? Then download one of the most exciting FREE apps that you will ever play RIGHT NOW…. This is guaranteed to keep you entertained for hours with its engaging puzzles.

Comprising of various brilliantly addictive levels, ranging in levels of difficulty, Topicgories is suitable for all ages and will have your mind boggled, your tongue twisted, and your head rattled as you race against the clock to achieve those precious points.

The aim is to solve the various different puzzles from each of the topics. The quicker you solve the puzzles, the more points you will earn. The more puzzles you solve, the more achievements you will earn. Try and earn all the achievements to gain extra points.

So what are you waiting for? Name that Topicgory!

◆ INSTANT FUN ◆ No intricate rules or registration. Just download and play now.

◆ ENGAGING AND ENJOYABLE BRAIN TEASERS FOR ALL AGES ◆ Ranging in levels of difficulty, this puzzle game caters for all ages, all levels of knowledge, and a game that the entire family can play.



◆ ADDICTIVE AND EXCITING PUZZLES ◆ Discover the answer to the various different puzzles. Can’t find the answer? Use the hints or share the level to play along with friends.

Everyone who is anyone is playing this game! Don’t be the only one left out. Download it NOW for FREE to play along.

Promotional Video

This is optional, and can take a bit of time, but it's a really nice way to compliment all the previous material and finalise the marketing with a professional feel. There are many different ways and styles to create a promotional video. The route that I've chosen is to combine all the material and screenshots into a 60 second clip that displays all the relevant information to the user.



Find Out More

Already a fan of Topicgories, then like and follow us on our social media channels to stay up to date with the latest news:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topicgories/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topicgories
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/topicgories
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/topicgories