Establishing online visibility and digitally transforming the regional center of competence

Discovery and co-creation

From the outset, we leaned heavily on participatory design and co-creation methods—a strategy that consistently proved valuable throughout the project. In practical terms, this meant that we arrived prepared and facilitated multiple sessions with key project stakeholders.

It was essential to see things from our clients’ perspective. Even though this was primarily a technological endeavor involving the creation of a website and mobile apps, it was, at its heart, about the real people using them.

Gamification

The school was eager to have their students as active contributors and users of the project. The question we grappled with was: How do you get 300+ teenagers to actively engage with a mobile app and website? Indeed, we were vying for their attention against giants like TikTok and Snapchat. Talk about a challenge!

Enter gamification! We dived deep into understanding our users — identifying their needs, motivations, and the factors that draw them to or repel them from certain platforms. Our vision incorporated a mix of quizzes, leaderboards, badges, and rewards, infusing a competitive spirit into the experience.

By integrating a reward system and consistently introducing fresh content, we redefined the potential of apps of this nature in sustaining user engagement — particularly among younger audiences.

Communication, multilingual content creation and distribution

A foundational component of this project was establishing a robust structure and work organization for the Regional Center of Competence. This involved developing and rolling out regular education, adult education, and lifelong learning programs.

Communicating these endeavors and outcomes was equally critical, and not just due to EU mandates on project transparency. Strategically speaking, if our client couldn’t convey their efforts or share discoveries with their stakeholders and the broader community, how could they anticipate and aim to generate enthusiasm and amass widespread backing?

To assist in this domain, we charted the entire content production and distribution workflow: What content types were they generating? How frequently were they producing it? Who oversaw its dissemination? And which languages were mandatory? Acquiring answers to these queries sparked another surge of creative brainstorming.

We also recognized the requirement to accommodate various foreign languages. While today it might be English, tomorrow it could be Italian or German.

One CMS to rule them all

A key requirement that emerged from discovery workshops with stakeholders was the desire for a unified interface to manage content on both their website and mobile apps. Whether they were at their desks or on the go using their phones, they wanted one central hub to oversee the entire process.

The principle was clear: Write and publish once, then (re)use on any platform or channel desired. At its core, this sounds straightforward, and it truly is. However, as with many things, the intricacies lie in the finer details.

After careful consideration of these facets, we devised a centralized system for all their content management, translation, and distribution efforts. Regardless of the medium — be it web or mobile apps — we catered to their specific needs.

Technical implementation

The technical implementation is grounded in insights from our strategic and methodological approach. You don’t just dive in, sketching designs or typing code. At Point Jupiter, we’re a data-informed agency. We prioritize gathering as much information and data (both quantitative and qualitative) as possible before embarking on crafting standout solutions.

The proactive involvement and meticulous preparation of our client in the early stages paved a clear direction for us. This lucidity was invaluable, letting us integrate our strategic insights and findings seamlessly into every facet of the technical execution. From initial UX/UI design sketches to rolling out the final product, each phase was thoughtfully informed, deliberate, and fine-tuned based on our prior understandings.

Custom WordPress website

The challenge went beyond merely fulfilling tender requirements. We aimed to create a dynamic, user-focused digital space that resonated with a wide range of audiences: from inquisitive students and their attentive parents to media professionals, potential partners, and the general public.

The solution needed to be easy to manage from a single administrative point, ensuring sustainable content upkeep. We opted to use WordPress as the platform for the website’s development. This choice enabled us to design a custom theme utilizing the Eightshift boilerplate. WordPress, built on PHP, offered a robust foundation for crafting a tailored theme using a contemporary Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) approach.

The website emerged as the central information hub. It became instrumental in sharing project news, updating events, offering educational resources, highlighting partner details, and captivating audiences with lively photo galleries.

Flutter Mobile app, Firebase and gamification

The mobile application, crafted using the Flutter framework, catered to multiple platforms via a singular codebase. With Firebase anchoring user data, we ingeniously merged the WordPress administration interface. This fusion allowed centralized content oversight for both the website and the mobile app.

Firebase was more than just a repository for user data and content. It became the pulse of our application, propelling information in real time to guarantee users always accessed the latest content.

Opting for the Flutter framework was strategic; it allowed us to devise an app that catered to both Android and iOS devices seamlessly. This application relied heavily on Firebase’s database for managing user data and ensuring instant communication. We expanded the website’s administration interface to enable synchronized content updates between the website and the mobile app.

This innovative solution meant centralizing app-specific content like quiz questions and recipes. To do this, we employed Firebase Cloud Functions and used TypeScript/JavaScript, creating a conduit that ensured seamless data flow between the site and the app.

Yet, the application had to be more than merely informative — it had to captivate. In today’s digital age, our competition extends beyond other educational apps. We’re vying against every conceivable online distraction — be it the quick allure of TikTok or the interactive stories on Snapchat.

This is why gamification was pivotal! Through quizzes, interactive challenges, and more, we transformed the app from a basic tool into an immersive journey.

Deployment on different stores

Moreover, the journey to the app stores wasn’t just about development. Establishing accounts on app stores presented its own challenges. Navigating the complex requirements of app stores for both Apple and Google was a hurdle in itself. Adhering to their stringent guidelines while ensuring a smooth launch demanded meticulous attention to detail. We led the communication with these tech giants, ensuring that every aspect of the app aligned with their requirements. This process required patience, precision, and effective collaboration to secure the necessary approvals and ensure a successful app store debut.

Our team ensured that every element, every pixel, and every line of code aligned with their stringent requirements, assuring our client peace of mind and guaranteeing a smooth launch.

By effectively addressing these challenges, we not only delivered a successful project but also honed our ability to adapt and innovate in the face of diverse and complex obstacles. This experience underscored the importance of a multidisciplinary team, close collaboration with clients, and an iterative approach to problem-solving.

And now, it’s the perfect moment to introduce the team behind the magic!