KOOTD Development Story
KOOTD is an AI-powered fashion recommendation app that I developed to help people who are not confident about their fashion choices. The app analyzes uploaded photos and provides personalized fashion advice and recommendations.
Development Process
The development of KOOTD began with the idea of creating an AI that could understand fashion and provide helpful advice to people who struggle with styling. The process involved several key phases:
Phase 1: Concept and Planning
- Identified the target audience: people who are not confident about fashion
- Researched existing fashion apps and their limitations
- Designed the core functionality and user experience flow
Phase 2: AI Model Development
- Trained machine learning models to analyze clothing and style
- Implemented image recognition and analysis capabilities
- Developed recommendation algorithms based on style preferences
Phase 3: App Development
- Built the mobile app using modern development frameworks
- Integrated AI models with the user interface
- Implemented user authentication and data management
Key Features
AI Style Analysis
- Upload photos of outfits or clothing items
- Get detailed analysis of color coordination, style matching, and overall appearance
- Receive specific suggestions for improvement
Personalized Recommendations
- AI learns from user preferences and feedback
- Provides tailored fashion advice based on individual style
- Suggests clothing combinations and styling tips
Style Check Without Login
- Users can try the basic functionality without creating an account
- AdMob integration helps cover API costs
- Encourages users to explore the app before committing
Current Status
The app is currently in the improvement phase. After the initial launch, I identified several areas for enhancement:
Design Improvements
- The initial design was not user-friendly
- Referenced other successful fashion apps for inspiration
- Implemented a more intuitive and attractive interface
User Experience Enhancements
- Added comprehensive onboarding process
- Improved app guide for new users
- Made the app more accessible to fashion beginners
Future Plans
New Features
- Secret feature coming in the next version
- Focus on making fashion evaluation accessible to everyone
- Enhanced AI capabilities for better recommendations
Marketing Strategy
- Instagram advertising with appealing visuals
- Target fashion-unconfident people specifically
- Shift from AI-generated models to focus on clothes and app interface
Technical Improvements
- Optimize AI model performance
- Reduce API costs through better efficiency
- Improve app stability and speed
Challenges and Learnings
Development Challenges
- Balancing AI accuracy with user experience
- Managing API costs while providing free features
- Creating an intuitive interface for complex AI functionality
User Feedback
- Initial users found the app difficult to use
- Design improvements significantly helped user retention
- Onboarding process was crucial for user adoption
Conclusion
KOOTD represents my journey in creating an AI-powered fashion assistant. While there have been challenges, the continuous improvements and user feedback have helped shape a better product. The goal remains to make fashion accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their current confidence level.
The development process has been a learning experience, and I'm excited to continue improving the app based on user needs and technological advancements.