Final Projects

The final project is a large front end application that should showcase your abilities as a developer and be the capstone of your portfolio. You will present the application on Demo Day.

The purpose of the final project is to showcase your abilities as a developer, not to create the Next Big Thing (if you can do both, kudos). Make sure to decide beforehand what you think your greatest strengths are and use your application and presentation as a platform to showcase those strengths. Together, your final project and portfolio should tell a story about what sets you apart from other developers so that you can stand out when seeking employment.

For example, if you have graphic design background, you should nail the graphic design in additional to the technical aspects so that you can tell the story of your diverse experience. If you have business acumen, you could develop an idea that shows your ability to create a viable business idea and execute a minimum viable product quickly. This doesn't have to be anything spectacular, just choose some strength about yourself that you can showcase with the application idea or the technical choices you make. Ask your instructor if you need help with this.

Requirements:

  • You must make regular commits each day (at least one commit per person per day).
  • You must use an MV* front end framework (like Ember.js or React.js + Backbone.js)
  • Your app must use at least one HTTP API, and may use multiple APIs.
  • Your app must save data, not just pull it down (i.e. it must be a "CRUD" app).
  • Your app must have user authentication and authorization, unless you receive written permission from the instructor.
  • Your UI must be responsive and work on both desktop and mobile
  • Your Project proposal to your instructor must start with an elevator pitch:
    • 15 to 25 words of what your app does
  • Before starting development, you should create wireframes
  • You must research your API to ensure it supports CORS or JSONP. If it doesn't, you'll need a server-side proxy. If a server-side proxy might be needed, you need to verify this immediately and let your instructor know.
  • You must write a README that lists all the technologies and APIs used in the project.
  • Your application must be deployed to GitHub Pages and the URL for the deployed site should be in your README, in your repo description, or both.

Pitching The Projects

Start thinking about final projects ahead of time, and meet with your instructor if you're devoid of ideas.

Make sure your projects are centered around things you truly care about; bee-keeping, beer, dancing, hiking, basketball, etc. This makes a huge difference and can make the project a lot of fun.

Ask your peers for feedback

Community feedback is invaluable in keeping scope-creep out and making sure the projects are the right mix of ambition, talent, feasibility, and hubris (a careful mixture of all four is required, IMHO).

Peer code reviews are also extremely helpful.

Start Small, Grow with Agility

see https://pickcrew.com/how-to-build-an-online-business/balance-design-and-launching-early/ for more on this.

Final Project Q&A

  1. Where do we have to be during final projects? In the lab? Home?

    Monday through Thursday, be at The Iron Yard's office by 10am for a short standup meeting. We will be holding some small lectures here and there, and I will be helping to answer questions. If you don't show up, ask questions, and drive your project in this crucial 3-week period, you won't receive career support.

    Fridays you will be free to work from home. (But we'll still have #IronPints™)

  2. How often will lectures happen, and will they be optional?

    They will happen probably two to three times each week; in the mornings. Some lectures will be optional, some will not. I will let you know in Slack ahead of time.

  3. How long will lectures be?

    They will be kept to a maximum of 1.5 or 2 hours.

  4. How often do we check in with the instructor? What about the campus director?

    You must check in with your instructor each morning with a standup. Once or twice each week, you should also be checking in with the campus director to discuss career support.

  5. How much job-related stuff should I be doing?

    This is a case-by-case basis, but The Iron Yard staff will be sharing job-related resources to help kickstart the job search process. Best rule of thumb:

    • During final projects, do two 1-hr job searches each week. That means, pick two evenings (Tues, Thurs), schedule them on your calendar (to get alerts so you don't forget), and don't do anything more. The goal of the final project time should be primarily working on your final project.
    • During final projects, spend a little time every day (25 minutes?) working on your portfolio. Schedule this on your calendar.

  6. What happens if I don't finish my project?

    You don't present at Demo Day; and you'll have to complete it after class ends.

  7. If I don't finish, will I receive career support?

    Not until you finish the project (you get to do that after class) and show you worked hard. The real hustle begins after class, when you start the job hunt.