Biography
Don Chia (谢祺恩)
Software Engineer @ MINDEF Signals Cloud and Digital Office • NOSSAFLEX • Fundigo Co. • Current Inc. • Apple WWDC 2021 & 2022 SSC Scholar
Singapore 📍
About Me
I’m a 22 year old software engineer who’s a React Native and Vue.JS engineer by day but a native iOS developer by night. Crafting impactful software that serves my community and people around me is my passion.
I thrive on staying updated with the latest design trends and development frameworks across all platforms. While my heart lies in native app design and development, I also excel in cross-platform app and web development, which keeps the bills paid.
At 17, I co-founded NOSSAFLEX with developers from Australia and the US. Since then, it has garnered attention, being featured on local television, Apple’s annual Entrepreneur Camp, and earning a nomination from Apple’s regional team for their annual design awards.
Having collaborated with diverse companies worldwide, from e-commerce to art and design industries, I've honed the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously across various time zones.
In my spare time, I indulge in scrolling through analog camera listings or admiring my collection, although shooting has taken a backseat due to my various work commitments.
Employment History
NOSSAFLEX (2020 - Present)
Co-Founder, iOS Engineer
Four years ago, NOSSAFLEX was conceived as a joint venture project between myself, Josh, our designer from Melbourne, and Diego, our lead developer from Virginia. It aims to digitalize the analog photographer's workflow with a series of tools in the form of an iOS application. The app has since undergone multiple redesigns and has been featured on Channel 8 (Singapore), Apple's Entrepreneur Camp website, and was also recently submitted by Apple South Asia team for consideration in the Apple Design Awards.
MINDEF Signals Cloud & Digital Office (2023 - Present)
Core Team, Lead Engineer
At Signal's Cloud & Digital Office (CADO), I served as the team's Lead Engineer and Designer. My role involves leading the development of application and software by applying my expertise in React Native and Vue.JS. Building robust solutions, tailored to the evolving need of the military.
Fundigo Co. (2022 - Present)
Core Team, Frontend Engineer & UI/UX Designer
Utilised Vue.js and Tailwind CSS to construct an e-commerce portal for merchants. Leveraged skills and experience in Figma to design a cross-platform application by applying Material 3 design. The application has since been deployed and is currently in use by merchants.
Current Inc. (2023 - 2024)
Core Team, iOS Engineer
Developed a mobile application for a startup based in California that provides a platform for users to look for EV chargers. The application was built using Apple's SwiftUI framework and was designed to be user-friendly and intuitive.
Projects & Achievements
Apple Design Awards 2024
Shortlisted Regionally
Analog was shortlisted by Apple South Asia Developer Relations team and submitted to Apple Cupertino HQ for consideration in Apple’s annual Design Award. Apple’s South Asia DR team praised Analog for its adherence to Apple’s Human Interaction guidelines while adding a unique UI spin to the application’s design
Apple Entrepreneur Camp 2023
Accepted
Analog was accepted into Apple’s Entrepreneur Camp 2023, an international programme designed to support developers providing access to Apple Engineers and Leaders to accelerate the growth of their app-driven businesses.
SAF Innovation Award 2023 - OMNIA Application by Signals Cloud & Digital Office
Awarded
OMNIA web application was awarded SAF’s Innovation Award in 2023, it successfully served its purpose as a management app for Exercise Forging Sabre held in Idaho, USA.
Apple WWDC Scholar 2022
Awarded
Yet another successful attempt at Apple's international coding competition. By making use of SwiftUI once more, I created a short app experience that explores recursive art patterns and abstract art. With the help of generative art, I was able to create a unique experience that most people would have rarely come across.
Check out my submission here!
As this news has only just recently reached me, I will be updating this section once more when I have receive more news from Apple HQ.
Apple WWDC Scholar 2021
Awarded
My second try at Apple's international coding competition was finally a successful one. Making use of my prowess with web development, I decided to create a Swift Playground project that taught users how to make use of HTML and CSS to create a simple website.
Making use of Apple's SwiftUI framework as well as the nifty WKWebView API, I managed to create a working editor that would allow users to meddle with HTML and CSS. I proceeded to create a playground book project around that idea and came up with a tutorial sequence for the user to follow.
Check out my submission here!
And check out my interview with the local news outlet regarding NOSSAFLEX and my WWDC experience right here!