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Creative Creating: Create the Tools You Wish Existed

April 27, 2015    Reading Time: < 1 Minute

Creativity

I use a lot of online tools for various tasks throughout the day. Most of the simplistic tools that I use (they focus on doing one thing), generally lack something that I wish they had.

Some of them do a great job, but look like they haven’t been touched since 1999. The interface is awkward/not intuitive, it’s crammed with advertisements, it’s built in Flash, and, most of the time, design, was an afterthought.

So instead of complaining, I’ve decided to re-build these tools.

I’ve already started by building three:

#1) Super Simple Stopwatch

Just like it sounds, it does one thing well: Keeps track of time. It’s extremely easy to use and responsive. I use it constantly throughout my day.

Super Simple Stopwatch

#2) Super Simple Mortgage Calculator

Again, this does one thing well: Calculates a mortgage so you can estimate your monthly payments.

Super Simple Mortgage Calculator

And now I’ve built a third: CASE+CONVERT

#3 CASE+CONVERT

This app converts text from lowercase, UPPERCASE, Sentence case, or Capitalize Case and vice-versa. You can type or paste your text, push a button, and it’ll transform your text. Try it out for yourself.

Case + Convert

You may ask: why create something like this if it already exists elsewhere?

Because it’s fun, challenging, and educational. Not only do I get to create and use the tool I want, but I learn valuable lessons and skills along the way.

The founders of 37Signals had a similar strategy when they decided to build a project management tool for their team which we now know as Basecamp.

I think it’s important for people to build and create things they wish existed or believe they can do better. Not only for the tools that come out of it, but for the entire experience of creating.

Are there complementary tools in your industry that you could create or improve upon?

Stay CREATIVE.

Written by Shawn Hooghkirk on April 27, 2015

Last updated on August 31, 2016. Shawn is the President of Graticle, Inc.

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What can I say, working with Graticle and Shawn was an absolute pleasure. Shawn is very detail oriented, over communicates and presents all the information you need to know in a very easy to understand and view format. The way he operates is first class. We got better service and a better final product than we could have expected. Thank you Shawn!

Matt King

Chief of Staff

Dro Investments

WealthCantWait.com

Austin, Texas

Shawn’s commitment to getting our web app designed in a way that it was easy to use and looked professional, and his coordination with our CEO and developer was awesome! Highly recommend any company looking for a designer to check Shawn out.

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Support Director

TruBid

www.TruBid.co

Fresno, California