Project Blueprint: CoDesign

Overview

Name: CoDesign
Contributors: Aryan Gupta, Abhinav Gonthina, Shiven Ajwaliya, Jonas Bleck, Abhinav Tavlidar
Objective:
To create a platform that connects designers and developers, enabling them to collaborate on projects seamlessly. CoDesign facilitates profile creation, project posting, chat-based communication, and personalized matchmaking based on skills, interests, and availability. Additionally, CoDesign offers a mobile-friendly experience and scalable backend to support growing users.

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Goals

• Connect designers and developers looking to collaborate on projects.
• Allow users to create detailed profiles showcasing skills, interests, experience, and availability.
• Implement a matchmaking algorithm to recommend potential collaborators based on user preferences.
• Enable direct communication via a chat system.
• Provide a seamless, mobile-friendly experience
• Support content posting to share ongoing or completed projects.
• Offer personalized project recommendations.

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Tech Stack

Frontend

• Framework: ReactJS (Web), React Native (Mobile)
• Styling: Tailwind CSS, Material UI Icons
• State Management: Context API
• Routing: React Router

Backend

• Framework: Flask (Python)
• Database: MongoDB (Profiles, Projects, Chat data)
• APIs: RESTful API design for frontend-backend communication
• Authentication: JWT-based user authentication, Google Auth

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Core Functionalities

User Profiles

• Designers and developers can create profiles with skills, interests, experience level, availability, and project preferences.

Matchmaking Algorithm

• Recommend top collaborators based on profile attributes and user preferences.
• Matching criteria: role (designer/developer), skills, experience, and availability.

Project Posting & Discovery

• Users can post project ideas and browse existing ones.
• Option to search and filter projects based on trending.

Chat System

• Real-time messaging between users to facilitate collaboration discussions.

Mobile App Support

• Mobile-friendly web design.
• Dedicated mobile app version for enhanced accessibility.

Backend API Endpoints

• RESTful APIs for handling profile management, project posting, matchmaking, and chat functionality.

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Intended Users

• Designers seeking developers to bring their creative ideas to life.
• Developers looking to collaborate with designers on innovative technical projects.

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Run Instructions

1. Set up two terminals

   • Terminal 1: cd frontend (frontend terminal)
   • Terminal 2: cd backend (backend terminal)

2. Backend Setup

   • In backend/, create a .env file with the following values:

     MONGO_URI=
     JWT_SECRET_KEY=
     CLOUDINARY_CLOUD_NAME=
     CLOUDINARY_API_KEY=
     CLOUDINARY_API_SECRET=
     GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID=
     GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET=
     SECRET_KEY=
     FRONTEND_URL=
     

   • Then run:

     python -m venv venv
     source venv/bin/activate  # or venv\Scripts\activate on Windows
     pip install -r requirements.txt
     python app.py

3. Frontend Setup

   • In frontend/, create a .env file with:

     VITE_BACKEND_URL=
     

   • Then run:

     npm install
     npm run dev

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Future Roadmap

• Add support for group chats and project-based team channels.
• Integrate push notifications for messages and collaboration requests.
• Implement feedback and review system for collaborators.
• Support media sharing (images, design prototypes).
• Add AI-based matchmaking recommendations using ML models.
• Introduce gamification: badges, achievements for community engagement.

View Website

https://codesign-group1.netlify.app/