JOMAJ Studios

Jomaj Studios — Backend Engineer (PHP)

Website: jomajstudios.com
Type: Community-driven arts, youth fitness, and creative services platform, based in London.
Founded: October 17, 2016 jomajstudios.com+1

Overview

Jomaj Studios is a dynamic art, youth, and community organization on a mission to “positively impact the world through art, fitness, community and youth development initiatives” jomajstudios.com+1. The website offers a wide array of services, including:

  • One-to-One and Group Fitness Sessions
  • Performing Arts Workshops
  • Youth & Community Project Management
  • Learning & Enrichment Services for Schools
  • Alternative Education (PRU) Support
  • Filmmaking, Martial Arts, Public Speaking, Career Advice, Project Consulting & Youth Counselling jomajstudios.com+1

Additional features include:

  • Gallery showcasing artwork and events such as “Like Water,” “Slay” volumes, “Nigerian Kung Fu,” etc. jomajstudios.com
  • Upcoming events like JOMAJ Studios Comedy, calling on stand-up comedians of all levels to participate jomajstudios.com
  • Booking pages for Martial Arts sessions: One-on-One (at home or park, £20/hr or £100 for 5-week course across five levels) jomajstudios.com, and Group Sessions hosted near Aldgate East station in London jomajstudios.com
  • Contact and support channels including email, phone, and Patreon for contributions jomajstudios.com+1YouTube

My Role — Backend PHP Developer (6 Years Experience)

Responsibilities

  • Implemented RESTful backend services for the site’s booking system, handling both one-on-one and group session scheduling, rates, and availability.

  • Managed content workflows for gallery images, event listings, and service pages.

  • Built and maintained form handling, email notifications, and subscriber flows (e.g., Patreon links, booking confirmation).

  • Designed and optimized database schemas for services, bookings, user inquiries, and gallery metadata.

  • Ensured performance and reliability by introducing caching at strategic points (e.g., gallery loading, service listings).

  • Developed admin-side tools for content updates, event publishing, and managing bookings.

Technical Stack (example, adapt as needed)

  • Backend: PHP (possibly with a framework like Laravel or Symfony, or plain PHP)

  • Database: MySQL/MariaDB for service listings, bookings, and media metadata

  • Email: SMTP or third-party provider for notifications

  • Caching / Background Jobs: Redis or file-based caching, cron tasks for image processing

  • Deployment / Hosting: Apache/Nginx, basic CI or manual deployment

  • Media Handling: Admin uploads and gallery management interfaces

Achievements

  • Delivered highly responsive booking flows for martial arts sessions, reducing form submission times and managing booking logic across different session types.

  • Streamlined gallery content ingestion for improved load times and curated display.

  • Automated email notifications for bookings and event participation.

  • Enhanced editorial workflow for non-technical staff to update services, galleries, and events with ease.

Summary Snippets for Different Uses

LinkedIn / Resume Headline:

  • Backend PHP Developer (6 yrs) — Built booking systems, gallery management, and admin tools for a creative community platform (jomajstudios.com).

Portfolio Card:

  • Jomaj Studios — Adobe-backed art & youth organization. Engineered backend systems for studio bookings, event management, and media galleries, supporting fitness, martial arts, and creative workshops.

How to Present This on Your Portfolio

Project Page Layout Suggestion:

  1. Hero Section: A screenshot of the homepage or gallery slideshow.

  2. Overview: A short blurb about Jomaj Studios and its mission.

  3. Role & Stack: Your responsibilities and technologies used.

  4. Features Built: Bullet points highlighting booking systems, gallery admin features, event workflows.

  5. Challenges & Wins: Performance improvements, editorial ease, booking reliability.

  6. Call to Action: “See the code or architecture?” – link to case study, GitHub, or downloadable PDF.