The Buzz
Software Engineering · UI/UX
Jan 2026 - May 2026
The Buzz is an internal collaboration platform where employees can share ideas, files, links, and feedback in one place. Built by a four-person team for CSE 216, the project involved developing a full-stack application from the ground up, combining backend functionality, database management, and frontend development with a focus on usability and security.
Role
Full-Stack Developer, Project Manager
Focus
Full-Stack Development, Frontend Engineering, UI/UX, Team Collaboration
Tools
Vue 3, TypeScript, Java, PostgreSQL, Google OAuth, Dokku, Figma, Jira, Bitbucket
Designing a Better Experience
As The Buzz evolved, I focused on making the interface clearer, more consistent, and easier to navigate. During my frontend sprints, I refined the visual hierarchy, standardized components, and improved how users interacted with posts, replies, links, and attachments.
A Space for Ideas
The Buzz brings workplace collaboration into one centralized platform. Employees can share ideas, attach files and links, exchange feedback through likes and replies, and personalize their profiles.
Designed with simplicity in mind, the platform makes it easy to contribute to conversations and keep information organized and accessible.
Four Roles, One Application
Throughout the semester, our team rotated responsibilities across administration, project management, backend development, and frontend development. Each role gave me a different perspective on how a full-stack application comes together, from managing databases and coordinating development to building the user interface.
Working across the stack helped me understand how technical decisions affect the overall experience, while frontend development gave me the opportunity to combine my interests in computer science and visual design.
Behind the Interface
Building The Buzz involved more than creating its interface. Working across the development stack gave me experience with API integration, database operations, authentication, and the services that support the application. These diagrams show how the system's components connect and how data is organized behind what users interact with.
What I Took Away
1
Admin
SPRINT 03-04
Set up the initial Java administration tool with Maven, implemented database operations using SQLite, and transitioned the project to PostgreSQL.
2
Project Manager
SPRINT 05-06
Coordinated team contributions, managed branch integration, resolved merge conflicts, and maintained project documentation.
3
Backend Developer
SPRINT 07-08
Developed profile and session functionality, updated backend tests, and documented APIs and database relationships.
4
Frontend Developer
SPRINT 09-12
Built and refined Vue components, integrated file and link features, and improved interface consistency, interactions, and usability.
Working on The Buzz taught me to think about software as a complete system rather than a collection of individual features. Rotating through different responsibilities helped me understand how decisions made in one part of an application can affect everything else, from database structure to the user experience.
The project also reinforced my interest in the intersection of computer science and graphic design. I especially enjoyed taking existing functionality and finding ways to make it clearer, more intuitive, and easier to use. It's the kind of work I hope to continue exploring.
BEFORE - SPRINT 7
AFTER - SPRINT 12
Clearer Hieracrhy
Consistent Components
Improved Interactions
Reorganized posts into readable cards with consistent typography, spacing, and content hierarchy.
Refined colors, buttons, and interface elements to create a more cohesive experience.
Made it easier to create posts, navigate replies, and access links and file attachments.
Building a successful application means understanding both how it works and how people experience it.
KEY TAKEAWAY