Recently we had an opportunity to speak with Mitch Marchand, the Founder, CEO & Lead Developer at Vybe Software LLC about DevKit: Learn to Code & Make Games

Please share with us the backstory of what motivated you to create this app.

I've been putting out apps since I was in high school, so I've always had people reaching out to me with their "Next big thing" ideas. It occurred to me that nearly everyone was excited about the idea of creating an app, but that no one wanted to take the time to learn to code. I set out to create a platform that provided young, impressionable students with a friendly learning environment that delivered both an instant gratification and an inspiration to learn to code.

What features do you hope to roll out to your app in the future?

Ability to incorporate web and database technologies, ability to create custom graphics and animations, and app sharing between devices.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of the creation of this app?

Watching students' faces light up when they make something unique happen for their first time in the DevKit app.

What is the coolest or most innovative feature of your app?

The fact that users can export their apps and upload them to both the iOS and Google Play stores is key. Other platforms only allow for their users to interact with their creations from within the confines of the platform used to develop them. Essentially, this makes them feel like a mere sandbox, while DevKit is a full-blown construction site.

What surprised you most in your journey to create this app?

The age range of potential users. Initially, I thought of DevKit as a learning tool for high school students and universities. But today, we have schools successfully using DevKit with students in as low as third grade.

Which other mobile apps or technology have inspired you?

My first ever program was a "When will you die?" app that I wrote in Visual Basic. Although very simple, it felt pretty cool.

Do you have any recommendations or advice for others wanting to create a mobile app?

To become an app developer, you must enjoy the process of learning, and you must understand that you'll never know enough. New and exciting innovations are being developed and deployed everyday, and if you are not emphatically motivated to keep up with them, both you and your technology will fall behind in no time.

How did you decide which platforms to release your app on and do you plan on releasing your app to other platforms?

We relate to what Apple stands for, which is user-friendly, clear cut environments that connect people to technology. For now, we are aligning DevKit with Apple's one-to-one iPad initiative in the classroom, and we're focusing on carving out our niche in that market. In the future, DevKit may very well expand into new platforms.

How is your app different than the rest of the market? Which unique need does it fill?

Kids are growing up nowadays surrounded by mobile technology from the day they're born, so it's essential that DevKit runs on a mobile platform, as it eliminates the intimidation factor associated with coding at a computer. Additionally, these younger students are accustomed to instant gratification, so the fact that DevKit enables them to build real-world, App-Store-ready apps in no time is crucial to their developmental interest as computer scientists.

You can view DevKit: Learn to Code & Make Games here