Episode II - A New App
Hi there,
My name is Kevin and I’m the creator of Dramatic Lights (“Dramatic” for short). I’ve titled this first post “Episode II” because it’s not really the beginning of the story of the app. For that, you should check out the blog for my previous app, Light DJ.
Light DJ was an idea that I had years before I started coding it and it took eight years of constant updates and improvements before I felt ready to move on to another project. Similarly, Dramatic Lights started as an idea long before I began writing code.
After the success of Light DJ, users began sending me emails telling me how they were using the app. While many used it at parties, there was also a growing user base using it in staged productions. Light DJ was designed for flexible use, but it was primarily a "real-time" lighting controller. Planning a sequence of events was difficult and required manual, precise operation. Additionally, users were limited to a single effect playing over their entire setup.
Through the feedback I received, I got a sense of the kind of use cases that would be important in a "planned sequence" app. I began wireframing the first version, which included the ability to:
Control lighting transitions and effects for multiple zones
Play audio tracks and effects in sync with lighting effects
Play independent, concurrent effects (layering)
Create timed sequences of effects
Navigate scenes via Bluetooth remote control
Display full-screen scenes with text and images (storybook mode)
Manage light states when effects are idle (home colors)
Customize the UI to better assist presenters (list/grid mode)
Development began in July 2022, and I was able to use SwiftUI for much of the app. This framework made it easy to add new features and tweak the UI as necessary. This benefits users as it allows me to add new features quickly and with better reliability.
If you need effects for your next presentation, give Dramatic Lights a try. It’s free to download and you can create your first scene without needing to sign up. If you want to unlock the full suite of effects and audiovisuals, you can sign up for a 14-day free trial to test the app before your production.
As this is a brand new app, I am always grateful for any feedback you have. If you have a specific request that will help improve your use of the app, let me know. Depending on the request, it may be something I can do within a week. Over time, these small requests add up to big app improvements that benefit everyone, so thank you to users who have already done this. You can contact me anytime at kevin@nrthrnlights.com.
Best regards,
Kevin Kolasinski