Spark Your Imagination! Mom-made in Canada

Friday, October 14, 2011

Growing up, Tamara Vukusic wanted to be a writer. She wrote vigilantly in a journal every night for seven years. When she graduated high school, her dream of pursuing a degree in creative writing was sidetracked as her family talked her into studying journalism instead. Fast forward some twenty-odd years where Tamara, at the age of 40, is finally fulfilling her dream of writing creatively for the children's game and iPhone/iPad app she created to encourage creativity and to get kids talking.

The debut game of Spark Your Imagination - Spark Story Starters - is a collection of 50 scenarios created to kick-start the imagination through fun storytelling and drawing. The game was released as an app for iPhone/iPad/Android and as a set of cards. A year later these 50 scenarios have been downloaded as part of the Spark! iPhone app in more than 40 countries.

Today, Spark! has more than 80 App Store reviews from Canada, the United States, Ireland, Australia and the U.K. Her favourite reviews include those from parents who have made meaningful connections with their children, as well as from caregivers of children with special needs who are experiencing interactive headway with Spark!

From her home in Kamloops, BC, this stay-at-home mom of two boys has embraced the power of today's technology to deliver her traditional values of conversation and creative thinking directly to children and families around the globe.

A few months after releasing the Spark! app, Tamara connected with the Interior Science Innovation Council (ISIC) where she met Executive Director Bill McQuarrie. Since then, Tamara has benefited from the mentorship, advice and the many educational and networking opportunities offered by the council and staff.

ISIC is one of eight regional councils of the BC Regional Science and Technology Network (BCRSTN) and nine University Industry Liaison Offices supported by BCIC. Each regional council and industry-liaison office offer a variety of direct services and programs that provide training and support to entrepreneurs, aligning with BCIC's mission to develop successful technology companies resulting in job creation and economic development in the province.

Tamara's tips for creating an app as seen in the October/November 2011 issue of Kamloops Momma Magazine (Issue 9, page 29)

1. Play with other apps - Get a good idea of how apps work so that you understand their capabilities (ie. sound, animation, the ability to interact with social media) and the best device for your app (iPhone, iPad, Android)

2. Has it been done? Search for similar apps on the App Store. If your idea has already been done make sure there is something different about the one that you are going to create. Read reviews of similar apps and use them to make your app even better.

3. Think 'simple'. If it requires extensive reading to use, buyers will often pass. Make it intuitive and use functions that people are already familiar with (swipe, tap, pinch).

4. Find a good developer. Ask for references and look at the apps they have created. Don't get talked into features you don't want. You can always add them later.

5. Find a graphic designer who knows apps. Find someone who has created files for apps before. Ideally find a developer/designer team that have worked together before and therefore speak the same language.

6. Pick a good name. Choose a name that isn't hard to remember and reflects what your app does. Changing a name after you post your app is next to impossible.

7. Get ready to market it. With half a million apps to compete with you can't count on App store keywords alone to sell your app.

Spark was the #2 best-selling educational app on App Store for several days this past spring and holds a steady 4.5 out of a 5 star rating. Spark released two new products this fall: SUPER Spark Story Starters with illustrations and photographs for kids aged 3-6 and Spark Story StartersDRAW, a set of family-sized drawing sheets for people of all ages because creativity loves company.

Blog

Blog