We like to think creatively and solve difficult user experience problems. Let us know what challenges you are working on.
OUR WORK
Here are some samples of some of our projects, as well as case studies of other important work.
GreenHomesForSale
GreenhomesForSale.com is a marketplace for eco-friendly and off-grid real estate. The site has been around for 2 decades, and is the #1 green real estate marketplace in the United States, consistently getting strong traffic.
Shoku Task
Shoku Task is a gamified task execution experience that serves as a focus aid for those whose work involves lots of solo creative time or who have trouble focusing. By completing work, you launch spacecraft, and over time gradually advance your astronaut's public career.
Demeter
Demeter is an accurate climate advisor for gardeners and farmers. It generates planting information based on the user's precise microclimate. To accomplish the project, custom web-bots were written to download thousands of seed data entries. In addition, the user's location information was matched against US government weather station data to provide a 10-year climate history for the user's microclimate. On top of this, a recommendation engine was constructed to match fruit and vegetable growing parameters to the particulars of an individual's local climate.
Shoku Todo
Shoku Todo is an infinitely nestable todo list application with a sophisticated user interface. Its features include goal-setting based on task completion, filtering tasks down to the essential, as well as a minimalist "zen-mode" experience. It's also usable without an internet connection, and is available in both a web and desktop app format.
Client Case Studies
Archangel Education
A large distributor of hardware to schools throughout the United States, Archangel Education wanted to replace a complicated NetSuite-based infrastructure with custom software.
Through collaboration with the client and careful planning, we have devised software that fits the client's needs and solves problems spanning accounting, inventory, sales, and management.
Buyback Bros
The client required a point of sale system for processing used textbook repurchases on college campuses. They needed the project done quickly and accurately in time for the end of the school year.
Given the scope of work, the project looked like it might be too ambitious to hope for success.
However, we worked with the team to review their requirements, suggest time-saving solutions, and generate quick prototypes of finished features.
With hard work this ambitious project was completed in on time, and was tested and delivered in time for peak season.
Roofing Decider
This client needed a multi-page form that would allow the end user to customize an order for roofing materials and services. The software needed to be self-contained so that it could be licensed to the client's customers as a template. As such, it was necessary to build a flexible solution to maximize the ability to customize the product per the client's wishes
The new form was intended to succeed an older version which was buggy and suffering from performance issues. We delivered a solution that met all of the client's requirements, and that allowed a fast and bug-free experience for the end-user.
Our Philosophy
Through the course of more than a decade of building software, I've settled on a few principles that help guide our work at Studio Shoku.
Simplicity > complexity
The simple path is usually the best one. It's tempting to heap more and more features into a product with the hope that one of them might resonate with the end user, but that way often leads to a buggy experience, and disappointment. To do one thing well is a better start.
Understanding of software's limitations
We find it useful to think about what we do as the building of systems that are composed of both humans and software. Designed carefully, the joining of these two elements can create powerful systems which are able to do some amazing things. We understand that software is a tool, and we delight in designing tools which are useful and usable. With most complex systems, there are dangers to over-relying on software. We aim to strike the right balance.
Taking commitments seriously
We build software in the real world. People depend on our word when we tell them when a thing is going to be done. Other stakeholders will anchor their plans on the deadlines we set and depend on us to follow through. We will strive to execute our job in the amount of time that is agreed. We will be honest with you about what we consider realistic, and work hard to fulfill our commitments to you.
A user - centric mindset
Software is written to solve people's problems. To be able to understand a user's problem and propose creative solutions to solve it is a key part of what sets us apart from other software consultancies. In addition, we strive to constantly check our solutions from the user's perspective to make sure that they are easy-to-use, efficient, and actually solve the user's needs.
ABOUT
The Name
The term "Shoku" is derived from the Japanese word "Shokunin", which means "craftsman". We seek to engage in the life-long pursuit of mastery over our craft. It is in this spirit that we strive to approach our work.
Origins
We were founded in 2021 and have since grown to a staff of 10 employees.
Founder
Chris Chung is a software craftsman, a tinkerer, and jolly soul. He lives with his life partner in beautiful Portland, Oregon.
TEAM
Our team is growing! We are looking for skilled software engineers and marketing specialists who are interested in building great things and furthering their careers.
Team Perks
- Flexible, work-from-anywhere policy.
- Flexible hours
- Generous paid leave
- Competitive compensation
- Quarterly team dinners
- Annual team trips
- Technology stipend
INQUIRIES
Let's discuss your project or problem. Please fill out this form to get the conversation started.
I strive to respond to inquiries within the same day if possible.