3D

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  Flashcards

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  German Articles

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  1,200 words

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  Dark mode

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  Phases

Inspiration

The inspiration for 3D came from a very personal challenge. My fiancée, a non-native German speaker, was constantly battling with the tricky trio of German articles—“der,” “die,” and “das.” No matter how hard she tried, they kept eluding her grasp. As an indie developer with a love for problem-solving, I couldn’t just stand by. I had to step in.

Sure, there were apps out there claiming to help, but they either offered a paltry vocabulary, had clunky UI/UX, or simply weren’t accessible. So, I decided to create something that actually worked—3D.

What it Does

3D is a fun and interactive app designed to help users master those pesky German articles—“der,” “die,” and “das”—using flashcards. With over 1,200 words spread across categories like “Work & Business” and “Transportation & Travel,” the app covers A1 to B1 levels of German. It features a phase-based learning system for better long-term retention, alongside dark mode, maximum accessibility, and a sleek, user-friendly interface that makes learning not just effective but enjoyable.

How I Built It

I developed 3D using Swift and SwiftUI, tapping into the latest iOS 17 APIs to craft a modern, responsive app. The phase-based system was meticulously designed to target areas where users need the most improvement, while still reinforcing their overall knowledge. I integrated Google AdMob to keep the project financially sustainable, ensuring ads enhance rather than hinder the user experience. For those who prefer an ad-free experience and an even larger vocabulary, there’s a PLUS version available via IAP/subscription, powered by RevenueCat.

Challenges I Ran Into

The journey wasn’t without its hurdles. Concurrency turned out to be a bigger challenge than expected. Efficiently managing hundreds, even thousands, of words while keeping the app running smoothly required some serious behind-the-scenes magic. Integrating AdMob native ads into an otherwise all-SwiftUI app also led to a few late nights.

Accomplishments That I’m Proud Of

I’m proud to have created an app that genuinely helps learners tackle one of the trickiest aspects of German. The extensive vocabulary and intelligent phase-based system offer a robust and enjoyable learning experience. I’m also thrilled with how the design turned out—from the sleek dark mode to the intuitive, accessibility-focused interface. And finding a way to integrate unobtrusive ads that users can opt out of entirely via a subscription feels like a win.

What I Learned

Building 3D was a fantastic learning experience. It gave me the chance to dive deep into the shiny new iOS 17 SwiftUI APIs, which were a playground for crafting a modern app. I also gained a lot of insight into Google AdMob, figuring out how to integrate ads in a way that supports the project financially without irritating users. The concurrency challenges taught me the importance of efficient data management, especially when dealing with large datasets.

What’s Next for 3D

I’m excited about what’s next for 3D. First up is expanding support to include other Apple devices like the iPad and Apple Watch, with iCloud synchronization for a seamless experience across all devices.

Beyond that, I’m looking forward to adding gamification elements like competitions and leaderboards to make learning even more engaging. The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to explore them!

Built With

• admob
• revenuecat
• swift
• swiftdata
• swiftui