NMIX 6030: Jukebox Assignment

Produce something original from the starter code using any and every resource at your disposal.

Project Date: Spring 2023

Your Role: Individual Project

Project Overview:

• This project challenged students to start from a very basic starter code file, provided by the professor and improve upon it. We were told to bring our creativity and challenge ourselves to create something original, and functional, and be sure to include at least one animation feature.

The Problem

• The project aimed to take the limitations of the initial starter code and transform it into a more engaging and interactive jukebox. The core problem was the static nature of the initial code, lacking any real styling or any other unique elements. By enhancing the code with creativity and additional functionality, the goal was to create a dynamic jukebox interface that not only allowed users to play music but also offered a stimulating experience through an animation of some kind. This project served as an opportunity for us to be resourceful and test our limits using any available resources.

Original Jukebox from Starter Code

The Solution

• I decided to make a Jukebox using Elton John songs. My method for completing this project was to start by reorganizing and reworking the functionality of the application. For starters, the original code had everything almost jumbled together, not really allowing for effective styling and organization. I used strings and created a song index for the application to pull from. After reworking this part of the code, I was able to begin styling the jukebox to look more like the prototypical music players we see on our devices today.

Song Setup — Orginal Code (left) , Final Code (right)

Final Jukebox Project

• I integrated an animation with the play button to enhance user interaction: a familiar “push” animation signifies song playback. Furthermore, I revamped the play and pause functionalities to prevent songs from playing over each other, ensuring only one is going at a time. Introducing skip and go-back buttons aimed to streamline the user experience, aligning it with other apps you see today. Improvements in the visual presentation involved a more appealing and clearer format for song details, including an image, title, and artist name. Additionally, users can access detailed song and artist information via a linked “i” icon, opening the Wikipedia for each song when pressed.

Song Index Setup & Play, Pause, Skip Functions

Results

• This project reminded me of the amount of resources out there, especially in the coding world. It’s incredible how many online teachers and content options are available. Trying to absorb everything in just a year feels impossible, but these kinds of projects are a fantastic way to develop that skill for finding and using resources effectively. In my opinion, this is a skill all coders need. I’ve come to accept that being the absolute best coder might be out of reach, but I can always rely on my resources and keep pushing myself. The end result always surprises me, going beyond what I ever thought I could accomplish on my own.