The problem
Before this current site, I wanted my first portfolio to feel like an experience, not just a page you scroll past — but every bit of motion had to earn its place, and none of it could come at the cost of speed or accessibility.
The approach
I was deliberate about where animation showed up and why: small looping details, like the scrolling project carousel, run lightly in the background, while the bigger moments — the hero introducing itself, sections revealing as you scroll — get more careful, hand-tuned motion. I also built in an AI chat assistant so visitors could ask questions about my work directly on the site, a working contact form, and made sure everything holds up on a keyboard and respects anyone who prefers reduced motion.
The outcome
A portfolio that feels considered from top to bottom — fast, accessible, and a little unexpected, with a working AI assistant baked in — built entirely without needing a database behind it, so it stays simple to maintain.