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ISMAIL AYMAN ZAKARIA ISMAIL

Software Engineering Student · Frontend Developer & UI/UX Designer · AI-Fluent Builder

ismailthewriter@gmail.comgithub.com/MITTNAYTlinkedin.com/in/ismail-ismKigali, Rwanda

Professional Summary

Third-year Software Engineering student at Kigali Independent University (ULK) who builds real, end-to-end products with AI tools at the center of the workflow, not on the side of it. Comfortable turning ambiguous problems into shipped software: has scoped, designed, and built 6+ applications independently and in hackathon teams, from a financial-planning tool for underserved users to a university-wide management platform. Specializes in frontend development and UI/UX design with React, Next.js, and Tailwind CSS, while actively growing into full-stack and backend engineering with Node.js, Go, and PostgreSQL. Genuinely energized by mission-driven, community-facing work; has spent hackathon cycles designing for real Rwandan users and organizations rather than abstract specs. Fast learner, self-directed, and coachable, looking for a hands-on opportunity to put AI to work for organizations that need it most.

Technical Skills

LanguagesJavaScript, TypeScript, Go, SQL, HTML, CSS
FrontendReact, Next.js, Flutter, Tailwind CSS, Responsive Design, Modern Web Development
BackendNode.js, Go (Golang), PostgreSQL, SQLite, REST API Design
UI/UX DesignFigma, Wireframing, Prototyping, User Research, Design Systems, User-Centered Design
AI Tools & WorkflowsPrompt Engineering, AI-Assisted Development, Generative AI Tools, AI Workflow Optimization, Vibe Coding
Dev ToolsGit, GitHub, VS Code, Docker, Antigravity

Software Engineering Experience

Independent Software Developer & UI/UX Designer

2024 – Present

Self-Directed Projects & Hackathon Teams · Kigali, Rwanda

  • Designed and built 6+ full-stack and frontend applications independently, covering productivity tools, university management systems, and creative platforms using React, Next.js, Flutter, and Node.js.
  • Applied AI-assisted development workflows (prompt engineering, generative AI tools, vibe coding) to cut prototyping-to-build time by an estimated 40-50% across personal projects.
  • Served as UI/UX designer and frontend engineer across 3 hackathon teams, translating user research and wireframes into production-ready interfaces under 24-48 hour deadlines.
  • Placed 2nd at the GDG Kigali Innovation Hackathon among 20+ competing teams with an AI-powered financial planning application.
  • Practiced open-source workflows using Git and GitHub for version control, code review discipline, and collaborative development across multi-person teams.
  • Continuously studies backend architecture, database design, and system design fundamentals to progress toward full-stack and senior engineering roles.

Featured Projects

HabitFlow – Habit Tracking & Productivity Application

Tech: Flutter, Dart, Supabase, Riverpod, PostgreSQL, Antigravity, Google AI Studio

  • Features: Streak tracking, behavioral analytics dashboard, journaling, smart reminders, mood tracking, and goal management with a quit-bad-habits system.
  • Achievements: Architected state management with Riverpod and Supabase authentication for secure, real-time data sync across devices; used Antigravity and Google AI Studio to accelerate UI scaffolding.
  • Impact: Delivered a gamified habit system with achievement badges and streak analytics, designed to lift user retention and daily engagement.

ULK Unified Portal – University Management Platform

Tech: Next.js 14, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, PostgreSQL, Antigravity

  • Features: Unified dashboard consolidating attendance, student records, grades, course management, and e-learning (Moodle/MIS) communication into one ecosystem.
  • Achievements: Converted a static component scaffold into a fully runnable TypeScript application; built a modular component architecture reducing duplicate code across 10+ views.
  • Impact: Consolidated 3 previously separate university systems into a single interface, cutting the number of tools students and staff navigate daily.

Rankr – AI-Powered Talent Screening Platform

Tech: React, Next.js, Node.js, Gemini API, PostgreSQL, Figma (Umurava AI Hackathon)

  • Features: Dual-sided recruiter and candidate platform with AI-powered applicant scoring, structured candidate profiles, and a streamlined review pipeline.
  • Achievements: Designed and implemented Gemini-powered scoring logic that ranks candidates against requirements; led UI/UX design across a 5-person team.
  • Impact: Cut manual resume screening effort for recruiters by surfacing a ranked shortlist instead of a raw applicant pile.

Personal Portfolio Website – UI/UX & Engineering Showcase

Tech: Next.js 14, Go (Golang), SQLite WAL, Tailwind CSS, Framer Motion, Lenis, Figma

  • Features: Dark luxury design system, private Go CMS dashboard, interactive recruiter inbox, privacy-first analytics, and dynamic case studies.
  • Achievements: Built a fully responsive, accessible custom design system from scratch with sub-second page loads and zero public CMS leakage.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Software EngineeringExpected 2027

Kigali Independent University (ULK) · Third-Year Student

Key Achievements

  • Placed 2nd at the GDG Kigali Innovation Hackathon (Gasura AI).
  • Developed 6+ full-stack and frontend projects independently.
  • Accelerated project builds by 40-50% with modern AI-fluent workflows.
Languages: English (Fluent), Arabic (Fluent)
Interests: AI, UI/UX Design, System Architecture, Technical Writing, Digital Creativity