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Ur a total beginner like me, but u want to do a @bubble project. Where and how to start?!
Sure, it's #nocode, but it can be damn intimidating. As promised, here's a thread about how I approached the learning process to build the Pathline MVP.
(some helpful links at the bottom)
Sure, it's #nocode, but it can be damn intimidating. As promised, here's a thread about how I approached the learning process to build the Pathline MVP.
(some helpful links at the bottom)
0/ The project
If u haven't looked at the product yet, check out this thread first to get a better idea of the product -> lots of nice gifs haha.
About me? Mechanical engineer by training. Started getting into no-code at end of last year. https://twitter.com/thatdudedenis/status/1361343263513452545?s=20
If u haven't looked at the product yet, check out this thread first to get a better idea of the product -> lots of nice gifs haha.
About me? Mechanical engineer by training. Started getting into no-code at end of last year. https://twitter.com/thatdudedenis/status/1361343263513452545?s=20
0.5/ Pre-work + context
I had been working on this project for 2-3 months already, talking to coaches, HR, mapping out workflow and database structure in @MiroHQ, making mock-ups in @figmadesign, etc. Do all that stuff first to get organized, or else you’ll waste time later.
I had been working on this project for 2-3 months already, talking to coaches, HR, mapping out workflow and database structure in @MiroHQ, making mock-ups in @figmadesign, etc. Do all that stuff first to get organized, or else you’ll waste time later.
1/ First 2 days in bubble
Because I was starting literally from ZERO, had to start with the basics
Bubble has a lot of dece content:
- 10X intro videos
- 12X interactive lessons to understand the interface (EZ + hard mode)
- Relevant "how to build X"(Airbnb, Zocdoc for me)
Because I was starting literally from ZERO, had to start with the basics
Bubble has a lot of dece content:
- 10X intro videos
- 12X interactive lessons to understand the interface (EZ + hard mode)
- Relevant "how to build X"(Airbnb, Zocdoc for me)
2/ Browse some templates
Others may have differing thoughts about this, but for a first timer, starting with templates saved me a shitload of time. Costs nothing to try some free ones - I tried one before going with the @AirDevCo starter template. More on that in a later thread!
Others may have differing thoughts about this, but for a first timer, starting with templates saved me a shitload of time. Costs nothing to try some free ones - I tried one before going with the @AirDevCo starter template. More on that in a later thread!
3/ Spend time understanding how the template works
U need to understand:
A/ experience when deployed (preview the page flows)
B/ how things are working in the back (editor/database)
C/ parts to keep/change
Focus on element tree, conditionals, database (DB), pages, and workflows
U need to understand:
A/ experience when deployed (preview the page flows)
B/ how things are working in the back (editor/database)
C/ parts to keep/change
Focus on element tree, conditionals, database (DB), pages, and workflows
4/ Get a few simplish tasks under ur belt first
Confidence is nice, and u need it.
Stuff like successfully creating some users, changing some words in the sign-up/log-in process, etc will get you familiar with actually implementing changes.
Confidence is nice, and u need it.
Stuff like successfully creating some users, changing some words in the sign-up/log-in process, etc will get you familiar with actually implementing changes.
5A/ Start doing real stuff, pt 1
Construct ur DB based on the structure u made in miro. This'll be a best guess, and you'll for sure have to change stuff as u go, but nice to set stuff up.
Create the data types and fields, and some sample app data.
Tip in GIF
Construct ur DB based on the structure u made in miro. This'll be a best guess, and you'll for sure have to change stuff as u go, but nice to set stuff up.
Create the data types and fields, and some sample app data.
Tip in GIF
5B/ Start doing real stuff, pt 2
Wireframe -> bubble page. This involves a ton of back + forth between figma, editor, preview, and google
Each time I got stuck on something -> GOOGLE time. Almost always the answer could be found on bubble forum (at top of the results).
Wireframe -> bubble page. This involves a ton of back + forth between figma, editor, preview, and google
Each time I got stuck on something -> GOOGLE time. Almost always the answer could be found on bubble forum (at top of the results).
5C/ Start doing real stuff, pt 3
Plugins and people who share editor links are your best friends. Plugins don’t always have the best documentation so look to the forum for info. Project links are great bc u can copy paste elements with workflows
Plugins and people who share editor links are your best friends. Plugins don’t always have the best documentation so look to the forum for info. Project links are great bc u can copy paste elements with workflows
6/ Oh shit, planning...
Endish of 1st wk I realized, I need to plan this shit out. Time for a gantt in @NotionHQ.
I broke up the project up into large bricks and intentionally planned so that complex stuff came 1st, with easier/optional stuff at end. As u can see...
= hard.
Endish of 1st wk I realized, I need to plan this shit out. Time for a gantt in @NotionHQ.
I broke up the project up into large bricks and intentionally planned so that complex stuff came 1st, with easier/optional stuff at end. As u can see...
= hard.
7/ Back to work
Now with a plan in place, I could really stay focused on task and work on what was important.
I started getting in a rhythm and crushing through stuff. I kept a backlog of stuff I ended up deciding was not essential for an MVP, safekeeping for later.
Now with a plan in place, I could really stay focused on task and work on what was important.
I started getting in a rhythm and crushing through stuff. I kept a backlog of stuff I ended up deciding was not essential for an MVP, safekeeping for later.
8/ Adding features
Great thing with bubble -> easy to add features, add fields to data types, etc. So when I was asked to add exercises to be filled out by users and seen by coaches, I was like
If it doesn’t affect the base structure of ur database, u should be fine!
Great thing with bubble -> easy to add features, add fields to data types, etc. So when I was asked to add exercises to be filled out by users and seen by coaches, I was like
If it doesn’t affect the base structure of ur database, u should be fine!
9/ Finishing touches
I realized at the end: there were a bunch of cases I hadn’t actually thought through in wireframe phase.
I only had standard case, now had to do a bunch of conditional hide/show stuff to be sure at any step of the user journey, she sees the right stuff.
I realized at the end: there were a bunch of cases I hadn’t actually thought through in wireframe phase.
I only had standard case, now had to do a bunch of conditional hide/show stuff to be sure at any step of the user journey, she sees the right stuff.
10/ Summary of recs for a beginner
Start with basics, but then learn by doing. Plan ur project ahead of time. Tackle each problem as it comes, via Google search -> forums, videos, tutorials.
here’s a list of links that helped me along my journey https://coda.io/@thatdudedenis/helpful-links-from-that-dude-denis
Start with basics, but then learn by doing. Plan ur project ahead of time. Tackle each problem as it comes, via Google search -> forums, videos, tutorials.
here’s a list of links that helped me along my journey https://coda.io/@thatdudedenis/helpful-links-from-that-dude-denis
I hope this was helpful and gets some of u started on ur bubble journey 
2 more threads in the oven
:
1/ calendar/appt deep dive
2/ my experience with the AirDev canvas starter template
Let me know what you'd want to see more/less of! (knowing that this one was for noobs)
2 more threads in the oven
:1/ calendar/appt deep dive
2/ my experience with the AirDev canvas starter template
Let me know what you'd want to see more/less of! (knowing that this one was for noobs)
