10 Django Projects to Build Your Skills

Django is a framework for Python-based web applications that uses a collection of modules to create your design and publish it quickly. It was built by experienced developers and is free and open-sourced for easy access. You can build projects by installing Django on a web server and creating the framework to build on.

Django allows users to develop projects rapidly and is versatile. This flexibility makes it an excellent option, depending on what you need to use it for or where you need to use it. It also has enhanced security and community support to build and maintain different pieces. The open-source code is available for anyone to use.

The Django framework manages requests and responses using a Model-View-Template (MVT) architecture. Here’s how it looks:

• The model layer: Provides structure and data manipulation for web applications

• The view layer: Processes users’ requests and responds to them

• The template layer: Creates a space for the information to be presented to the user

You can try several projects whether you’re a novice Django user or have Django experience and would like to create examples of Django work for potential employers. Here are a few projects you can dig into to learn new skills or show off your current expertise with the framework.

Email sender

You can create an email sender to automate emails to a specific user group or subscribers. The email sender application allows you to change the message in the emails or select different recipients for the emails created in the application. And like with other Django modules, you can find the code online and adjust it to your preferences.

Calorie tracker

Anyone trying to be more health conscious can use a calorie tracker to assess how much they’re consuming every day. You can adjust calorie trackers to include different inputs from users, and you can use the data from them to break information down into details like categories, etc. You can also use data to set goals for calories consumed.

Text-to-HTML converter

Using HTML coding can be frustrating sometimes, but you can create a text-to-HTML converter that will allow you to generate code quickly for any number of applications. Simply add what you want into the converter in text form, and the application will do the rest of the work for you. Use it for simple HTML coding for short text or items that may be a little complex to add to your websites.

Chat application

Chat apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, or Facebook Messenger allow users to quickly send information from one person to another or from one person to a user group. You can create a version of this using Django and adjust the app to meet your specific needs. It will likely be much simpler than what you’re used to, but you’ll have access to real-time communication.

Social media integration 

Do you want to post to social media without sitting by your computer? A social media integration tool can allow you to create profile posts, schedule when to post them, and manage your feed. It could be a great project if you want to get involved with digital marketing, as it allows you to set up social media posts for clients to get the word out about their products or services.

Registration and login system

A registration and login system could be a good project if you’re trying to build a framework to sign users up for a particular website or web application. Django has a built-in registration form that you can implement and add onto. This project starts with creating a registration system, which may require data inputs such as a user ID, such as an email address or username, and other relevant data. You can also work on a login section where users input their user ID and information to get access to web applications.

Calculator

This could be a good beginner project that will allow you to learn Django. The calculator application can be built to perform basic math functions such as addition and subtraction, which interact with numbers on the keypad. You can change options to allow for inputting numbers, erasing numbers, or even deleting the whole equation to start over.

Password safe

Develop a Django web application to help users create a password management tool. The application will let users store passwords for different sites and generate random and secure passwords. You can even try out encryption applications to help ensure the safety of the passwords. It’s an easy but important application as more companies increase resources to protect users.

Dictionary application

Check online and find different APIs or application programming interfaces that can be used to create a dictionary application. The Django project can pull from other sources to develop outputs that may include the definitions of words and synonyms or antonyms, depending on what decision is most needed for the project you’re creating. Users must enter the word into the application, and your Django programming will do the rest.

E-commerce store

This project would be for more experienced Django programmers who can build complex projects with different pieces. An e-commerce store should display products and allow users to see more information about them when they click on a particular item. You can also work on pieces for users to interact with to process their purchases, such as a shopping cart or information about tracking shipments.

Where you can learn Django with Coursera

If Django appeals to you and you want to learn more, consider taking an online course to explore this framework. Try Django for Everybody Specialisation, offered by the University of Michigan on Coursera. The programme can help you learn more about installing and building models for Django applications, among other lessons. Meta also offers a Django Web Framework programme to give you a deeper understanding of skills like data modelling and best practices for web security.