Showcase Saturday: Enhancing User Interaction with a Custom Context Menu in My Portfolio
As part of my ongoing efforts to develop a compelling online portfolio, I recently embarked on a project to improve user interaction by leveraging the native contextmenu event in JavaScript. Although my portfolio is still a work in progress—standing at about 50% completion, with some bugs and performance issues such as long load times and an overuse of React packages—the implementation of a functional right-click feature marks a significant milestone.
You can explore my portfolio here: https://milanmachacek.com/.
The Objective
Traditional portfolios often rely on standard navigation elements and static visuals. My goal was to introduce an innovative interaction pattern by making the right-click (context menu) more than just a browser default. By intercepting the contextmenu event, I aimed to provide custom functionality that enhances user engagement and showcases my technical skills.
Technical Approach
Implementing a custom right-click feature required handling the contextmenu event in React. Using React’s event system, I added an event listener that captures right-clicks across the portfolio. This allows me to execute specific functions—such as displaying a custom context menu, revealing additional information, or triggering animations—based on user interactions.
Challenges and Future Directions
While the current implementation is functional, there are aspects to refine:
- Performance Optimization: Reducing load times and minimizing the number of React packages to improve efficiency.
- Bug Fixes: Addressing issues that cause bugs during navigation and interaction.
- Enhanced User Experience: Designing intuitive context menus that provide value without cluttering the interface.
Despite the ongoing development, this feature demonstrates a commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional portfolio design and exploring interactive web experiences.
Conclusion
Innovative interactions can significantly elevate a portfolio’s impact. By integrating a custom right-click feature, I am taking tangible steps toward creating a more engaging, interactive showcase of my skills and projects. Stay tuned for updates as I continue to refine and expand this portfolio.
Feel free to explore the current version and share your thoughts or suggestions!
