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

VIDEO
Click here to watch a video of this episode.


ABOUT OUR GUEST
Twitter: twitter.com/hiddevdploeg
Helm for App Store Connect: helm-app.com

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.

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Check out my course if you're ready to start your indie journey:
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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

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