Why I Built This Portfolio Website — A Developer's Perspective

In a world where your online presence often speaks louder than your resume, creating a portfolio website was no longer just a creative side project—it became a personal and professional necessity.

Hey, I’m Naman, a passionate developer based in Toronto. I recently launched this portfolio site as a way to express who I am—not just as a coder, but as a creator, learner, and someone navigating a career transition with curiosity and ambition.

Why I Built This Site

This site is much more than a collection of projects. It’s a space that tells my story—from the clean interface to structured, accessible code. It reflects my design values, my technical skillset, and my journey as someone growing in multiple fields at once.

I also plan to use the blog section as a place to share my thoughts, insights, and experiences—from development challenges to life lessons. I want it to grow and evolve, just like I do.

A Bit About Me

Right now, I work as a Security Supervisor here in Toronto. I’m also preparing to become a licensed insurance advisor in Ontario. These roles may not seem connected to web development, but they’ve helped me build key qualities—focus, adaptability, and drive—that show up in everything I build.

The Stack That Powers This Site

I chose a modern tech stack that balances performance, design flexibility, and scalability:

• Next.js — for a fast, scalable React-based framework with built-in server-side rendering and routing.
• Tailwind CSS — to handle utility-first styling for clean, responsive designs.
• Shadcn UI & Aceternity UI — component libraries that made building accessible, aesthetic UI elements faster.
• Radix UI — for accessible, unstyled UI primitives.
• Lucide Icons — lightweight, stylish icon set.
• Framer Motion — for smooth transitions and subtle animations.
• Resend — for handling contact form email submissions easily and securely.

Every tool I picked serves a purpose—not just because it’s trendy, but because it helps build a great user experience while keeping the codebase maintainable.

Tools I Use Daily

Here are the tools that support my daily workflow as a designer-developer hybrid:

• Figma – for wireframing and UI design.
• Notion – for managing tasks, writing blog drafts, and organizing ideas.
• VS Code – my main development editor.
• Hyper – my preferred terminal for a smooth CLI experience.
• Brave Browser – for secure, privacy-first browsing.

These tools help me work efficiently, stay focused, and iterate quickly.

Design + Development = My Sweet Spot

Though I love writing clean code, I also care deeply about visual design and user experience. I approach each build with both a developer's logic and a designer's eye.

Understanding UI/UX principles helps me create digital experiences that are not only functional but intuitive and enjoyable. That balance drives every decision I make—from layout to transitions to accessibility.

Looking Ahead

This portfolio is just the beginning. I’m also working on Agency, a creative studio focused on web, brand, and product design services.

Back home, my family runs Shivam Bangle Palace and Cosmetics in Sirsa, Haryana—offering wedding essentials and beauty products to the local community. That foundation of entrepreneurship inspires me to continue building, growing, and giving back.

Challenges I Faced

Juggling my day job, licensing studies, and building this website meant time was tight. But by scheduling dedicated sessions and staying disciplined, I made steady progress.

I also hit technical hurdles—like form validation issues and responsive layout bugs—but I tackled each one through documentation, forums, and late-night problem-solving.

What I Learned

This project has helped me sharpen my development skills—especially in Next.js and Tailwind—and taught me a lot about accessible, performant web design.

But more importantly, it reminded me of why I love building things: the challenge, the creativity, and the satisfaction of seeing an idea come to life.

Want to Connect?

You can reach me anytime via the Contact page. Whether you're another developer, a potential collaborator, or someone just exploring this space—I'd love to hear from you.

I'm open to freelance opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship conversations.