RukaZaRuku

RukaZaRuku (Hand in Hand) is a community-driven platform that enables people to exchange services using in-app tokens or direct barter. The project was built during RI-HACK 3.0 2024, a 24-hour hackathon organized by RiTeh University, where our four-member team won 1st place and a €2,000 prize.

My Role

I worked as a frontend developer, responsible for implementing key application features and functionality. My focus was on building and integrating core systems such as:

• Real-time chat
• Service listings and requests
• Token-based and work-for-work flows
• Profile and interaction features

Once the core functionality was in place, a teammate took over UI redesign and visual refinement. My role prioritized speed, correctness, and feature completeness under strict time constraints, while ensuring the frontend was stable and scalable.

I collaborated closely with another frontend developer and the backend developer to connect UI components with backend APIs and ensure smooth user interactions throughout the app.

Team & Collaboration

The project was developed by a four-person team in a fast-paced hackathon environment:

• Dominik Bedenić - Frontend development
  https://github.com/DBDoco
• Paolo Kos - Frontend development
  https://github.com/kospaolo
• Franko Kirinčić - Backend development
  https://github.com/KiroPractic
• Tonči Marinac - UI/UX design & frontend refactoring
  https://github.com/marinactonci

Working within a 24-hour limit required rapid decision-making, clear communication, and efficient division of responsibilities.

Project Motivation

RukaZaRuku was created to strengthen local communities by enabling people to offer and request services, earn tokens, and exchange skills directly. The goal was to build a trustworthy, easy-to-use platform that encourages collaboration and mutual support.

Key Features

Despite the limited timeframe, the platform includes:

• Token-Based Service Exchange
• Work-for-Work (Barter) System
• Integrated Chat
• AI Image Generation for Posts
• Review & Rating System
• User Profiles & Skill Showcases
• Smart Search & Service Requests
• Volunteering Opportunities

Tech Stack

• Frontend: Angular, Tailwind CSS, PrimeNG
• Backend: .NET

The stack allowed rapid development while maintaining performance and a clean architecture.

Achievements

🏆 Winner of RI-HACK 3.0 2024
💶 €2,000 prize (shared among team members)
⏱ Built a fully functional platform in 24 hours

What I Learned

This project strengthened my ability to:

• Implement complex frontend features under time pressure
• Collaborate efficiently with backend and frontend teammates
• Translate requirements into working UI logic quickly
• Prioritize functionality first, then refine UX when time allows

Final Thoughts

RukaZaRuku showcases my ability to deliver feature-complete frontend solutions in high-pressure environments. It highlights strong collaboration skills, rapid execution, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to an award-winning hackathon project.