Spotlight

Firefly logo, symbolism for producing light and guiding those in the dark
White variant of logo
Dark variant of logo
Regular customer/user interface
Vendor/business owner interface

Inspiration

Spotlight was created out of a desire to strengthen local communities and help local businesses thrive. We noticed a gap in current digital apps for discovering local happenings—while social media platforms like Instagram and Eventbrite websites offer glimpses into events or promotions, they often lack a centralized, up-to-date source for ongoing events or hidden gems. Spotlight fills this gap by creating a dedicated platform where local vendors and businesses can sponsor events.

What it does

Spotlight provides a real-time, easy-to-navigate feed of current events, promotions, and exclusive deals from nearby businesses. The app fosters a stronger sense of community by helping users discover hidden gems and support local entrepreneurs, all while connecting them to what's happening in their neighborhood. It’s a one-stop platform to engage with your community and make the most of local experiences.

How we built it

We built Spotlight using the React framework for a responsive, dynamic user interface utilizing CSS and Javascript styling. Our design process began with Figma, where we prototyped the app’s layout and user experience. On the back-end, we used Flask and SQLite database, ensuring smooth data management and seamless communication between the front-end and back-end. This combination of tools allowed us to build a fast, scalable, and user-friendly app.

Challenges we ran into

Building Spotlight presented several challenges. We had to learn Python Flask for the back-end, which was a new framework for us, and ensure it integrated seamlessly with the front-end. Translating our Figma prototypes into complex UI components also proved tricky, requiring precise styling and functionality. Additionally, connecting the front-end to the back-end so data could be fetched and displayed properly in real-time was a key hurdle. From a design perspective, ensuring an accessible UI that allowed users to comfortably view and interact with the interface was a key objective. We went through iterative design changes, drawing inspiration from existing mobile apps such as UberEats, DoorDash, and Eventbrite. Additionally, we needed to account for the fact that this was a web mobile UI rather than a traditional application. This required not only the removal of commonly used components but also the creation of an interface that worked seamlessly for a web environment. Along the way, we also had to determine how to create realistic 2D mobile app designs, balancing both functionality and user accessibility.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud to have developed a working prototype that fully embodies the core functionalities we envisioned for Spotlight. We also gained valuable experience by learning how to use Python Flask for the back-end, navigating its complexities, and successfully routing it to our React front-end.

What we learned

Throughout the development of Spotlight, we learned the importance of dividing tasks based on our combined skills and deciding what was feasible within our capabilities. This allowed us to work efficiently and focus on areas where we could contribute the most. On the technical side, we gained valuable experience with React, implementing complex UI components like carousels and drawer containers to enhance user experience. We also learned how to store and manage images and textual data in a Python Flask SQLite database. For design, we learned how to create an effective UI for mobile web and efficiently build a real-life brand, from branding to visual elements, while ensuring a seamless user experience.

What's next for Spotlight

The next step for Spotlight focuses on expanding its reach and accessibility for businesses and users. We aim to make it easier for local vendors and businesses to sponsor events while fostering stronger connections with their communities. Our goal is to create an inclusive hub for all types of local events—whether university gatherings, fundraisers. We hope to have collaborations with large-scale organizers and platforms like Eventbrite. Our next focus will be on the user experience by personalizing event recommendations based on individual preferences, making it easier for people to discover relevant happenings. Additionally, we plan to expand Spotlight to other city hubs and tap into the tourism industry, creating a nationwide platform for discovering and participating in local events.