How Do You Come Up with Project Ideas That Solve Real Problems?

Honestly, it's often tough to find that perfect idea. A lot of times, it starts by observing people around you. What challenges do they face? Ask them about daily problems—they might give you plenty of ideas. Also, think about getting specific: targeting a particular profession could yield some solid app ideas that fulfill a need in that niche.

You might want to try brainstorming with AI for some inspiration. While it might not produce the exact ideas you're looking for, it can spark your own thoughts after a chat with it!

Look at specific workflows that could be improved. Talk to people in specific industries or professions and find out what common issues they encounter. Building tailored solutions for a single business or niche can lead to opportunities that are overlooked. Remember, most valuable apps are often for dedicated users, not for everyone!

Getting creative is key! If you want to move away from canned projects, consider cloning a website or just specific features that you like. Keeping a notebook handy can help, too. Write down anything that annoys you throughout the week; you'll likely find a problem that could be solved through software. Plus, with your background in math, tools used for teaching—like Desmos or Khan Academy—could spark some interesting innovations.

Aim for something you're personally frustrated with; that's often a good starting point. If you can figure out a way to optimize a repetitive task in your life, that might lead to a great project. For example, I made an app to help search for guitar chords more efficiently because scrolling through a long text file was tedious. It doesn’t always have to be about making money; focus on learning and building something useful!