Welcome to my portfolio!
I have created this website to showcase a portfolio of projects I've worked on over the years, including most recently a number of websites and web applications developed during a software bootcamp (where I acquired the skills I've used to create this very website!), and additionally a gallery of art pieces I've worked on at various points over the last decade. I hope this portfolio provides you with an overview of my capabilities and especially my drive to create with determination and passion.
Web Projects
Having recently completed an intesive 16-week Full Stack Software Development bootcamp, I now have a number of projects that demonstrate my capability to create functional and aesthetic websites and web applications, both individually and as part of a team of developers. Examples of my individual and group hackathon projects are shown below.
Healthy Minds
First individual formative assignment as part of Code Institute Full Stack course. A website designed to be accessible and presenting beginner-friendly information on mental health, including how to recognize common issues and manage stress, presented in a supportive and organised layout.
The Healthy Minds website is designed to be informative, easy to navigate, and responsive. It presents information on mental health awareness, including signs to look out for and ways to address mental health challenges.
The Cube Review
A mini social platform for hobbyists built around the theme of Rubik's cubes and other twisty puzzles. Full stack web application created using the Django framework and submitted as my final project for Code Institute's Full Stack Developer bootcamp.
This application is designed to give a specific group of users (twisty puzzle enthusiasts) a platform on which they can interact as a community in a number of ways. The main use cases would be: a feed section for viewing, submitting, and commenting on posts; a reviews section to read and submit reviews on a number of puzzles; and a leaderboards section to see solve-time rankings and even add your own. The application would be used in a similar way to other social media apps, albeit on a smaller scale and in a much more specific way.
Our Corner
A social platform created as part of a hackathon in the Code Institute Full Stack Developer Bootcamp.
This application is designed to give small local communities a platform on which they can interact with each other in a number of ways. The main use cases would be: a feed section for viewing, submitting, and commenting on posts; an events section to find out about and get involved in events in the local area; and a marketplace section for listing items for sale and joining auctions. The application would be used in a similar way to other social media apps, albeit on a smaller scale.
Quizathon!
Quiz app created as a team for a hackathon.
The Quizathon! app is designed to be a fun and easy-to-use quiz game with a colourful design, interactive features, real-time feedback, and replayability.
Art Gallery
I've been passionate about creating artworks for as long as I can remember - during my school years, you would always find me with a sketchbook and set of pencils, drawing anything and everything I could. Just before starting at university I discovered the medium of digital art, and now thoroughly enjoy the additional benefits of using tech to bring my ideas to life. You can view various pieces from my artistic journey below.
Vauxhall Astra
A digital painting of the third car I owned. One of the more difficult and detailed pieces I've done - approximately 7 hours total. Created with Procreate on an iPad Pro in 2020.
Fruit Gums
A digital painting of some Rowntrees Fruit Gums, which I seemed to be quite into at the time. Perhaps an alternate take on the still life bowl of fruit? Approximately 3 hours for this piece. Created with Procreate on an iPad Pro in 2020.
Megaminx
A digital painting of a megaminx - a twisty puzzle (similar to a Rubik's Cube) with 12 faces. Quite a striking piece with all the different colours and the shine on the ridges - approximately 3.5 hours on this one. Created with Procreate on an iPad Pro in 2020.
Rose
A digital painting of a rose on a beige, marbled backgroud. Designed to be placed on various items, such as notebooks, via the print-on-demand website, Redbubble. Created with Procreate on an iPad Pro in 2021.
Self Portrait
A self portrait that happens to be the most time-consuming piece I've worked on, totalling about 20 hours. I worked on this during my first year of university and went through a lot of trial and error to get things looking right. Created on a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 using Sketchbook Pro in 2014.
Bhairavi Goswami
A portrait of an actress that I discovered during my first year of university when I was getting quite into Bollywood. Quite a tough one with a lot of lessons learned during the process. Created on a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 using Sketchbook Pro in 2014.
About Me
Arun Dhanjal
I've always been a creative individual: whether it was drawing pictures, making sculptures out of clay, or building structures with LEGO and K'Nex, making things has been a strong passion at my core since day 1. During my secondary school and university years in particular, I really got into the swing of things once I got my hands on a Samsung tablet with a stylus and discovered the world of digital art, which brought so many more possibilities.
As I've gotten older and moved into the world of work, it's not been as easy to exercise those creative muscles - priorities change and time becomes less and less available. However, I've tried my best to keep up with the passion and even tried to incorporate my artistic skillset into my jobs when possible and appropriate.
At this point in time, I'm making a career change from my previous roles in data analysis, project management, and software implementation, into a more technical software development role. This direction is much more aligned with my core values and strengths as I'm a logical and hands-on person, and more importantly it allows me to express my creativity and desire to build. Creating websites and web applications during the 16-week intensive bootcamp with Code Institute that I've recently completed has been a joy and an experience that resonates with my true purpose: to make things. I'm looking forward to the future in which I hope to build many more things that I can be proud of.
If you'd like to get in touch, please do! My LinkedIn can be accessed via the icon at the bottom right of this website. Looking forward to hearing from you.