We like to think creatively and solve our clients' problems. Let us know what challenges you are working on.
OUR WORK
This page contains some samples of some of our internal and external projects, as well as case studies of other important work.
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. By completing work you launch spacecraft, and over time gradually advance your astronaut's public career.
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.
Demeter
Demeter is an accurate climate advisor for gardeners and farmers. It generates planting information based on the user's precice 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 recomendation engine was constructed to match fruit and vegetable growing parameters to the particulars of the local climate.
Culture Co-op
Culture Co-op is a culture and youth trends consultancy. They requested an online magazine to host their publications. The project involved generating mocks and concepts for the client so they could settle on final designs. The site is powered by a headless CMS and the theme is entirely custom-designed.
Case Studies
Buyback Bros (now Archangel Tablets)
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.
We met with the team twice a week to review progress, address any questions that had surfaced, and set the priority until the next meeting.
With hard work this ambitious project was completed in 2 months, 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.
SHOKU PHILOSOPHY
Through the course of a decade of building software, I've settled on a few principles that help guide our work at Studio Shoku.
Generalization > specialization
We are well-rounded developers who prioritize knowing a little bit about each of the sub disciplines and skills of software building. We can design assets, write code, create schemas for different types of datastores, and can manage our own projects proactively.
We feel this helps us solve our clients' problems more comprehensively, rather than focusing on one particular tool or area of software.
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.
This simple principle finds its application everywhere. Why use two words when one will suffice? Why foist a complex interaction on the user when a simpler one would be more usable?
When we embark on a project we try and identify the true needs of the software's users. Then, we steadfastly pursue the satisfaction of those needs, regardless of the temptations and baubles that might cause us to stray.
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 like dogs to fulfill our commitments to you.
The consequence of this is that we will only make a commitment when we know we can do it.
ABOUT
The Name
The term "Shoku" is derived from the Japanese word "Shokunin", which means "craftsmanship", and which represents the life-long pursuit of mastery over one's craft. It is in this spirit that we strive to approach our work.
The Proprietor
Chris Chung is a software craftsman, a tinkerer, and jolly soul. He lives with his life partner in beautiful Portland, Oregon.
INQUIRIES
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I strive to respond to inquiries within the same day if possible.