Connect 5

Inspiration

Our project is inspired by the classic strategy game, Connect 4. In Connect 4, players need to drop their discs into the grid to form a straight line of 4 discs in a row. The first person to do so wins.

TikTok, much like Connect 4, brings many people together. From diverse backgrounds and different cultures, people are always looking forward to using TikTok, simply because of the connection that they feel when they see like-minded people do what they want to do.

Our project enhances this connection. By creating two unique social features, we are able to connect like-minded users together for a unique social shopping experience.

What it does

1. Group Purchase
   Group Purchase allows users to buy items on TikTok Shop in bulk, benefitting them with more discounts and vouchers. Users are empowered to invite their existing TikTok contacts and friends to participate in the group purchase order, making it easier for them to collaborate and shop together with people they already know.

2. Find Friends (Existing and New Users)
   Find a friend to purchase those latest Converse kicks with. Our newest feature, "Find Friends", helps Tiktok users find other users, saved on their device as a contact, who have also added the item to their cart. Now, like-minded Converse fans can purchase the new sneakers together and grab all those crazy discounts along the way.

As a social feature, Find Friends adds a social element to online shopping by encouraging users to connect with friends reconnect with old friends as they talk to one another and discuss how they can make a purchase together.

How we built it

We used React Native as our mobile development framework, with JavaScript, HTML and CSS as our frontend languages and Supabase Java API as our backend database.

Challenges we ran into

Our biggest challenge was undoubtedly upskilling. For the majority of us, it was our first time building a mobile application, even though we had some experience in Web Development. Having said that, it was a fruitful experience to learn new knowledge and simultaneously, create a functional and effective product.

Another challenge we had was learning how to carry out version-controls on Github. Again, it was a first for most of us to commit, merge, pull, push files, branches, requests. Until now, some of us are still trying to understand what these words mean. However, we have pulled through by working together and teaching one another, creating a product that we are proud of.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud that we completed our product, and beyond. We are also thankful for the opportunity to help people in a certain capacity, even if it might be small.

What we learned

We learned to never give up, communicate with one another and to help each other when needed. We also learned the fundamentals of mobile app development.

What's next for Connect 5

Well, perhaps we might come back for TikTok Hackathon Challenge 2024. Who knows?

Built With

• css
• expo.io
• html
• javascript
• react-native
• supabase
• tailwind