Release Me | Media Release Manager

Inspiration

I work a lot in the non profit space, especially with new and smaller organizations, and am constantly plagued by this problem. We'll host an event or do some outreach activities where we capture a lot of excellent photos and videos. But when the time comes to use that media in an email blast or grant application, we haven't gotten the subjects' permission to use their likeness. When we have the time and resources, we may try to bring release forms to the event but, even then, it's hard to justify spending limited time just getting everyone to read and sign these legal documents.

That's where Release Me comes in - using an intuitive web application, non profit organizers can set up release paperwork ahead of time, simply collect participant emails at the event, and manage signatures long after the work is done and everyone has gone home. With all the proper documents in hand, we can better promote ourselves and share our positive impact with stakeholders.

What it does

The web application couldn't be simpler to use. After logging in, users are presented with a dashboard of all their releases. From here they can create a new release or view details for any existing releases.

Here, users can see some basic metadata about their release, review requested signatures or request new ones, cancel or send reminders for pending signatures, download signed documents, and, of course, delete the release entirely (as long as there aren't any completed signatures attached to it).

How I built it

Release Me is a JAM stack web application built using React on the front end and serverless AWS Lambda functions as an API for the back end. The API is built with Node and integrates an AWS DynamoDB database and the v2 beta of the HelloSign NodeJS SDK, utilizing some of the fundamental features of the HelloSign Signature Request API class.

Challenges we ran into

Utilizing async/await syntax was one of the more challenging aspects of this work. The documentation uses the Promise then/catch syntax, and there were definitely some hiccups trying to make that adjustment. Otherwise, the most challenging thing was reigning in the project to get out an MVP by the deadline. There's a whole lot of cool features in this SDK!

What's next for Release Me | Media Release Manager

The need for this type of tool in the non profit sector is so great and the HelloSign SDK is so expansive, there is a lot of room for this application to grow. In it's current state, all media releases are funneled through one HelloSIgn administrative account and use a single generic template but, in the future, users will be able to create their own accounts and upload their own templates. There is also a lot of potential in customizing these templates with additional custom fields and allowing for more complex signer configurations using signer groups.

I also intend to expand the data that can be attached to releases. For instance, users could upload media directly to a release to view alongside release form signatures. Or even link a release to a media album on DropBox or Google photos.

To more seamlessly link the digital and physical experience, I will add the ability for users to opt for an in person signature via embedded signature requests instead of conducting all communication via email. With so many features available in the HelloSign SDK, the possibilities are as exciting and they are endless!