Field Logger (React Native)

Why This Project

A field logger is an app that makes sense on mobile in a way that a web app doesn't. You're logging things while you're out in the world — sightings, inspections, field notes — and you need GPS, camera, offline storage. It exercises mobile-specific APIs that don't exist on the web and gives you a reason to actually use the app on your phone instead of just viewing it in a simulator.

What to Build

A mobile app for logging observations in the field. Think of it as a tool for a birdwatcher, a building inspector, or a forager. Users create log entries with a title, description, category, GPS coordinates (auto-captured), optional photo, and timestamp. Entries are stored locally and can be browsed on a list or map view. Users can export their logs as JSON.

Requirements

Expo managed workflow
Screens: Log list (FlatList), New entry form, Entry detail, Map view, Settings/Export
React Navigation for tab-based + stack navigation
Auto-capture GPS location when creating an entry (expo-location)
Optional photo attachment (expo-image-picker from camera or gallery)
Persist all entries with AsyncStorage
Map view: show all entries as pins on a map (react-native-maps)
Tap a pin to see entry details
Filter entries by category or date range
Export logs as JSON (expo-sharing + expo-file-system)
StyleSheet.create for all styling
Handle permission requests gracefully (location, camera)

Skills Practiced

React Native Expo React Navigation FlatList AsyncStorage expo-location expo-image-picker react-native-maps device APIs permissions

Pain Point to Notice

Permissions are the biggest friction point. On web, you never ask for camera or GPS access in this way. On mobile, you request permission, handle denial gracefully, and design your UI to work even when permissions are denied. The location API is also async in a way that affects your form UX — do you block submission until GPS is ready? Show a loading indicator? Let the user submit without coordinates? These are mobile-specific design decisions with no web equivalent.

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