An iPad app that simulates the experience of drawing on a steamy shower door. It launches clear, steams up, and allows users to draw by 'removing' the steam with their finger. Drawings are ephemeral, as the steam fogs back up, and the initial version would only support saving via screenshot. The app emphasizes realistic simulation of steam physics and touch sensitivity.
Opportunity3.5
Why now
Amidst feature-rich, permanent digital creative tools, there's a niche demand for simplicity, ephemerality, and a novel sensory experience. Aligns with the 'cozy software' movement.
Market gap
No existing app provides a highly realistic, ephemeral, and 'removal-based' drawing experience mimicking a steamy shower door.
Business fit
Type
Mobile App, Creative Tool
Target
Designers, creatives, individuals seeking a unique and ephemeral sketching experience, or relaxation.
Revenue
Unknown, likely niche market, potentially free or premium niche app.
Founder
Someone with expertise in realistic rendering and touch interaction, potentially an indie developer or small studio passionate about unique, 'cozy' software.
Scores
Problem
6.0
Feasibility
6.0
Why now
7.0
Go-to-market
3.0
Confidence
10.0
Proof signals
Jason Fried's personal use case and passion for the idea.
Analogy to the 'Margarita Pizza problem' – simplicity masks difficulty in perfect execution.
Desire for 'cozy' and 'weird' software experiences.
Keyword demand
Keyword
Volume
Growth
ephemeral sketching
no data
no data
steam drawing app
no data
no data
cozy software
10/mo
-67% YoY
iPad creative app
no data
no data
US English Google Ads volume from DataForSEO; growth uses returned monthly search history.
Source episode
The ultimate guide to product building with the man who changed software19:13
I love drawing in the shower on a shower door...you're removing versus adding...it's so ephemeral...it's like this Perpetual idea board where I don't have to erase anything it doesn't matter there's nothing that's that it's um precious about it it's just temporary