409 - Ivan Nedyalkov

By day, Ivan Nedyalkov is an Operational Product Manager at a large online retail company.

On the side, he is an indie developer and designer. He's currently working on StellarJet, an iOS app for space enthusiasts that provides detailed tracking of ongoing and upcoming space launch operations.

Follow his progress below as he builds out the app and also starts his own design agency.

Posts → posts.cv/ivannedyalkov
Threads → threads.net/@ivanenedyalkov

Ivan's Workspace Tour

Workspace Items

• M1 Mac Mini
• 27” BenQ monitor
• Arctic gas spring monitor arm
• Logitech MX Master 3
• Logitech MX Keys Mini
• Nomad leather mousepad
• iPhone 11 (for testing purposes)
• HomePod mini
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (soon to be connected to an external Schiit Audio amplifier)
• AirPods Pro
• Apple MagSafe charger with Nomad MagSafe mount
• Belkin iPhone monitor mount with MagSafe
• Xiaomi Mi Desk Lamp Pro
• Nanoleaf Essentials lightstrip
• L'Occitane scented candle
• IKEA KARLBY tabletop with IKEA ALEX drawer unit
• Limited edition Star Wars print by Benjamin Carré
• Fine Sakura pencil from Japan (for occasional design drafts on paper)‍

Tools

• Xcode
• Figma
• Affinity Designer
• Linear
• Apple Notes
• Safari
• Raycast
• Perplexity AI
• Claude
• ROON + Tidal (for managing my CD collection and music streaming)

What is the most useful item in your workspace?

It's got to be the Logitech MX Master 3 mouse. I've been using it for both work and personal stuff for about five years now. It surely needs an upgrade.

How do you spark creativity?

By looking around and noticing things that annoy me or don't work well, whether it's something that looks bad or functions poorly. Each frustrating thing I see becomes motivation for me to come up with creative new solutions to fix or improve it. The more irritating things catch my attention, the more possibilities for creative problem-solving open up. I’m also inspired by what Dieter Rams and Paul Rand have accomplished with their work.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in building StellarJet?

While the app's development has been smooth cosmic sailing so far, a challenge definitely awaits - combining multiple data sources with my own custom elements to create a rich, more detailed and data-driven perspective on even the most routine rocket launch operations. I will soon be posting the progress on social, so stay tuned.