Projects

Projects that show how I build and solve problems.

These projects highlight systems thinking, team collaboration, and backend development alongside front-end work.

Custom hardware build

Windows PC

PCPartPicker

A high-performance custom Windows PC built with a carefully selected white NZXT platform, flagship graphics, and enthusiast-grade components.

Graphics
ASUS RTX 5090
Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Motherboard
NZXT N9 X870E
Storage
Samsung 9100 Pro 2TB
Memory
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 32GB
Power
NZXT C1200
Cooling
NZXT Kraken Elite RGB 420mm
Chassis
NZXT H9 Flow RGB+
  • Planned a balanced component configuration around performance, compatibility, thermals, and upgrade potential.
  • Assembled and cable-managed the system with attention to airflow, serviceability, and a clean professional finish.
  • Configured Windows and system firmware, then validated hardware recognition and stable operation.
  • Applied a methodical troubleshooting mindset while diagnosing hardware, driver, and configuration issues.
  • Documented the final build so its components and configuration can be maintained or upgraded efficiently.
Windows PC building Hardware System configuration
Matthew Hughes' custom white Windows PC build

Full-stack project

Social Fitness Tracker

GitHub

A user-authenticated web application with dashboards, posting features, and MySQL-backed data flow.

  • Built secure sign-up and login flows supporting username or email authentication.
  • Created a dashboard with dynamic bar graph views for progress and trend visibility.
  • Integrated posting features and backend persistence with PHP and MySQL.
PHP MySQL JavaScript Authentication

Team leadership

Ecommerce Website

A software engineering team project where I led a five-person group through a complete ecommerce build.

  • Led the team while contributing reusable UI components and interface cohesion.
  • Implemented login, registration, and contact functionality using PHP and MySQL.
  • Helped the team hit project milestones and deliver a polished end result on schedule.
Leadership PHP MySQL UI implementation

UX and systems thinking

Course Scheduler

A collaborative redesign effort focused on standardizing a course scheduler interface for administrators.

  • Improved consistency across login, registration, and data-entry forms.
  • Reduced layout inefficiencies and clarified navigation decisions.
  • Used UML artifacts to communicate proposed changes and support implementation alignment.
HTML CSS JavaScript UML