Simplifying My Portfolio Site

In this post, I'd like to discuss my thinking behind migrating my developer portfolio website from a flashy, modern design to a more sleek, minimal, old-school, and much more basic layout.

This decision didn't come lightly; it was born out of careful consideration and a desire to create the most effective showcase of my skills and projects. In this blog post, I'll walk you through the reasons behind my decision, the process of migration, and how long it took me to complete this transformation.

Why I Decided to Migrate:

As a developer, I understand the importance of constantly evolving and improving my online presence. My previous portfolio design was visually appealing but had some drawbacks that I couldn't ignore. The design, with all its animations and complex elements, resulted in slower loading times, affecting the overall user experience. I realized that while a shiny and trendy design might catch the eye initially, it could also distract visitors from the content I wanted them to focus on—the projects I've worked on and my coding abilities. Moreover, earlier design was influenced by a pov of a developer, not an end-user who just want to learn more about me, my projects, or read my blog posts. So I kept this in mind to keep it as simple as possible.

As part of the migration to a more minimalistic design, I emphasized creating a streamlined connection with the user. I mentioned direct links to various communication channels, making it easier for visitors to get in touch with me. By prioritizing clear and efficient communication, I aimed to enhance the user experience.

TBH, I wanted a timeless design that could stand the test of time and remain relevant for years to come.

How Long It Took:

The process of migrating my developer portfolio to a more basic design took just a few hours from start to finish since this was a minimal and easy-to-implement update.

I drew inspiration from classic web layouts that focused on content rather than distracting elements. Next, I analyzed my existing portfolio to identify essential elements and content that needed to be retained or adapted for the new design.

Simplicity does not mean compromising on functionality; in fact, it challenged me to create a seamless user experience while maintaining a basic layout. I used the best practices of semantic HTML and used a minimal framework that goes by the name Water CSS (I tweaked it a little bit based upon my design preference).

I used Next.js as the React framework so as to get the most out of my application by utilizing the capabilities of the framework and ready-to-use configurations Next.js offers.

Reflection:

Once the new basic design was completed, I focused on the final touches, ensuring all the elements were aligned, the typography was carefully chosen, and the color scheme complemented the overall theme. I also made sure that all my projects were up-to-date, removing outdated or less relevant work to maintain a clean and concise portfolio.

The migration process made me realize that simplicity is a powerful tool for conveying a strong message. By focusing on what truly matters—my skills, relevant information about me, and passion for coding, I was able to create a more authentic and memorable brand identity.

Conclusion:

Migrating my shiny developer portfolio to the most basic one has been a transformative journey. The decision was driven by a desire for a more efficient and effective way to showcase my skills and projects.

Thank you for reading this far!