London Aviation Museum
Project Overview
This project involved collaborating in a team of five to design and develop a dynamic website for the London Aviation Museum. The client required a content management system (CMS) to manage key sections such as events, blogs, and commemorations. The goal was to create a scalable, user-friendly platform that allowed non-technical users to easily update content while maintaining a clean, responsive front-end experience. The final product is a mobile-first website with dynamic content handling, authentication, and a backend built using REST principles.
Technologies Used
- GitHub
- HTML
- CSS
- Vue
- Laravel
Roles
- Back-End Developer
- Front-End Developert
My Role
- Backend Developer (Laravel, database architecture, API development)
- CMS System Designer (user flows, functionality planning)
- Full-Stack Contributor (connected backend with frontend using Vue and AJAX)
- Collaborator (worked closely with designer and project manager)
Challenges Faced
- Tight deadline (3–4 weeks) to complete a full backend system
- Learning curve with new technologies like Laravel and Vue
- Balancing speed with proper database and system design
- Coordinating with a team while managing complex backend requirements
- Ensuring scalability for multiple dynamic sections beyond initial requirements
My Process
- Researched how events, blogs, and commemorations are structured on similar websites
- Collaborated with the designer to create initial wireframes
- Designed ERD diagrams for all required database tables and defined relationships
- Created a users table to support authentication (login/logout functionality)
- Developed detailed user flows for CMS functionality (dashboard, navigation, CRUD actions)
- Built database structure using Laravel migrations
- Generated test data using Faker with factories and seeders
- Developed controllers and created API endpoints following REST principles for dynamic content
- Set up API routes for each content type (events, blogs, commemorations)
- Designed and developed the CMS frontend interface (login, dashboard, content management pages)
- Integrated frontend and backend using AJAX fetch calls and Vue
- Implemented Laravel authentication for secure user access
- Built additional dynamic sections including Book of Remembrance, history timeline, and soldier information using the same REST-based structure
- Added image and file handling for content entries
- Ensured the CMS and website were fully responsive and mobile-first
The Outcome
- Successfully developed a CMS supported by a backend built on REST principles
- Delivered a responsive, mobile-first website with dynamic content management
- Implemented structured API endpoints to handle CRUD operations efficiently
- Expanded the project beyond requirements with additional dynamic features
- Strengthened skills in Laravel, Vue, and full-stack integration
- Contributed to a well-organized team project completed within deadline
