How to get my job: iPhone developer

​Matt Johnson is the owner of Mindful Software, LLC, an iOS developer that just released the app Group Trivia, a trivia game that hopes to bridge the gap between online and local play while providing a perfect way to waste a few minutes at a time. With iOS becoming such a popular medium for designers of all shapes, sizes and corporate structures, we figured it was high time to take a look at one of our own small, local development studios to find out exactly what their day-to-day lives consist of.

Westword: Tell us a little about your history in app design/programming.
Matt Johnson: I've been writing software for the last 12 years. Most of my work has been custom software for corporations, using Microsoft products. Nothing terribly exciting, but it was fun and challenging work to help businesses run more smoothly and efficiently. Then Apple created the iPhone, and I fell in love with programming all over again. So I took a chance and made the switch from PC to Mac and started creating apps for the iPhone.

WW: Why did you decide to start working as an app developer, and when did you know it was what you wanted to do?
MJ: I knew I wanted to become an app developer the second I got my first iPhone. There was something about the interface that sang to me. I had been toying with the idea of moving to mobile devices for a few years, but the platforms were immature and the jobs were scarce. But when I got my iPhone, I knew it was a game changer.

Mind you, at that time, the app store didn't exist, and Apple had no plans to provide an SDK (software development kit). Originally, Apple's plan for apps on the iPhone was to have everything run as a web app in their mobile Safari browser. It turns out I wasn't the only developer who was clamoring to create native apps for the device. Scores of developers demanded an SDK. Apple finally saw the light and released their SDK and opened the App Store.

WW: How would you recommend someone get started in your field?
MJ: One, If you want to be an app developer "when you grow up," you should focus your studies on programming, mathematics, and a little physics. The most successful apps are games, and knowing your physics will help a lot. It would also be good to take some graphic design classes. The "look" of an app can make it or break it.

Two, read blogs about the industry and stay current on what's going on. Find local Meet Up groups on topics related to the industry. Mobile Monday Meet Up group is a good one, and the Denver Boulder iPhone user's group is another good one.

Three, get the tools and SDKs to create apps and start learning them. They are free, and there is a wealth of resources out there to get you up and running. It's really just a matter of dedicating the time and having fun with it.

Four, download successful apps and play with them. What makes them good? Read the reviews on the app store and see what people are saying about them. Try to emulate them, but don't rip them off. Nobody likes a blatant rip off.

Five, find companies in the area that are creating apps you admire. Ask the app developers to coffee. Most everyone will take an hour out of their day to talk to someone who is interested in learning more about their field. See if any of these companies are a good fit for an internship.

On top of all that, you should enjoy being in front of a computer for at least 8 hours a day. This job can require a lot of hours, especially when you're first getting started.