Media Moments
TL;DR: Media Moments is an event web app that made first-semester Media Informatics student projects discoverable to the public and helped promote the degree program. I co-developed the initial version as part of my degree and later designed and built multiple iterations (with support from my student assistant in the latest version), adding features like QR-based unlocks, achievements, AR mode, and challenge mechanics; from 2021 to 2025 it reached about 1,200 users despite minimal marketing, and is currently on hiatus with a planned return in 2027.
Motivation
The ‘Meetup der Medieninformatik’ serves as an annual technical showcase hosted by the Media Informatics major at the Universität zu Lübeck. Here, technical prowess and creativity merge, unveiling ‘EMI-Projects’ from first-semester students and ‘bachelor projects’ from fifth-semester students. The event culminates in the ‘EMI-Award,’ recognizing excellence in first-semester projects.
The Media Moments web app, born from a ‘bachelor project’ during my undergraduate studies, is designed to showcase the EMI-Projects to the public.
Technical Components: Under the Hood
The technical backbone of Media Moments is powered by Vue.js 3 as its frontend framework. The interactive map, fueled by maplibre-gl-js, and Swiper, orchestrating slides in onboarding and station detail sites, form integral components. The backend transitioned between Strapi and Directus to adapt to evolving event requirements. Prioritizing practicality, the app ensures accessibility without mandatory registrations, utilizing an anonymous user with a randomized ID for features requiring central user management, all in accordance with privacy policies.
The app has iteratively optimized bundle sizes, adjusted dependencies, and implemented features like asynchronous loading and intelligent chunking. These changes cater to practical needs, ensuring smooth user experiences, especially in areas with limited mobile data.
Since its inception in 2018, the Media Moments web app has been a technical ally at the ‘Meetup der Medieninformatik.’ It facilitates engagement with projects, contributing to the technical vibrancy of the event and the media informatics community at the Universität zu Lübeck. With an annual audience of approximately 300-400 digital visitors, the app has seamlessly integrated into the event’s digital infrastructure, providing a user-friendly experience and fostering interaction with the showcased projects.