Launching My Next.js Portfolio Blog

What I Wanted to Achieve

I wanted a simple blog portfolio so people can:

  • see my projects quickly
  • read my thoughts on coding and design
  • get in touch easily

A single place to show my work, share ideas, and stay connected.

Design Phase: Color, Layout, and Feel

Before I wrote any code, I sketched out:

  1. Layout

    • full-width hero header
    • card grid for posts and projects
    • nav bar linking Home, Blog, Portfolio, About, Contact
  2. Color

    • primary: deep blue for buttons and links
    • background: off-white for easy reading
  3. Typography

    • headings in a bold sans-serif
    • body text in an easy-reading serif

Using a simple palette and clear fonts makes the site look clean and friendly.

Development Process

  • Framework
    I picked Next.js for fast page loads and smooth setup.

  • Content

    • blog posts and the About page are in Markdown
    • home page shows the latest posts automatically
    • separate pages for Blog (with search and tags), Portfolio, and Contact
  • Styling
    I wrote SCSS files to match the colors and fonts and shared them across the header, footer, and cards.

  • Extras

    • contact form that sends emails
    • basic search by keyword
    • tag filters to sort posts

The Outcome

  • a fast site that works on phones, tablets, and desktops
  • one place for my writing, projects, and contact info
  • easy to update by adding a new Markdown file

I’m happy with how it turned out. It feels professional and approachable, and it does exactly what I planned.