Android App: Social Media App for Campus

This application was designed specifically for the IISER TVM campus community and received official approval from the campus council. It serves as a centralized social platform where students can connect, share information, and access campus services.

Key Features

• Photo sharing capabilities for campus events and activities
• Q&A forum for academic and campus-related questions
• Marketplace for students to buy and sell used items
• Real-time access to campus information (mess menu, events, notices)
• Campus services directory and information hub

Technical Implementation

The application was built using Flutter and Dart, allowing for rapid development of a cross-platform solution with a native feel. Flutter's widget-based architecture enabled the creation of a responsive and intuitive user interface with smooth animations and transitions.

For the backend, I implemented:

• Firebase Authentication for secure user login
• Cloud Firestore for real-time data synchronization
• Firebase Storage for media content
• Firebase Cloud Messaging for push notifications

Monetization Strategy

To help sustain the app's ongoing development and server costs, Google AdSense was integrated to display non-intrusive advertisements. The ad implementation was carefully designed to maintain user experience while generating modest revenue to support the app's operation.

Publication

After extensive testing and refinement, the app was successfully published on the Google Play Store, making it easily accessible to all campus community members. User feedback has been incorporated through regular updates to improve functionality and fix issues.

Impact

The application has become an integral part of campus life, facilitating better communication between students and providing easy access to important campus information. Usage statistics show active engagement, particularly around meal times (for mess menu information) and during campus events.