Creating My Personal Showcase: A Two-Year Journey of Crafting a Simple yet Meaningful Website

Embarking on a web development project can often be more about perseverance than complexity. After two years of dedicated effort, I finally launched a website that resonates deeply with me—constructed not with an elaborate tech stack, but with intentional simplicity and passion.

A Reflection on the Creative Process

This journey wasn’t driven by technological fascination alone; it was about authentic self-expression. For years, I contributed to projects for organizations claiming to prioritize innovation, only to find that focus and genuine progress often took a backseat. Frustrated by these experiences, I decided to build something purely for myself—a platform that reflects who I am and how I want to be seen.

The Website: A Minimalist yet Thoughtfully Crafted Platform

My personal site, ujjwalvivek.com, intentionally eschews modern bloat in favor of a streamlined, handcrafted experience. The goal? Focus on content and integrity rather than flashy features or intrusive analytics.

Technological Approach

The core technology is refreshingly straightforward: a simple React.js implementation paired with Markdown. No CSS frameworks, no tracking scripts, no SEO gimmicks—not even cookie tracking. It’s a minimal viable product rooted in clarity and purpose.

Key Features and Customizations

• Styled Markdown Content: I’ve tailored Markdown rendering to suit my aesthetic, ensuring readability and style.

• Procedural Backgrounds: Using CPU-based algorithms, I generate dynamic backgrounds. I’m exploring WebGPU to leverage GPU capabilities for smoother visual rendering, aiming to improve performance.

• Theme Awareness: The site adapts to light and dark modes. Achieving consistent blur effects across browsers, especially WebKit, posed challenges—any insights are welcome.

• PDF Viewer Integration: Embedded via PDF.js, I’m working on customizing the viewer’s style to better match the site’s vibe. Tips on customizing built-in classes are appreciated.

• Easter Egg & Engagement: Hidden surprises await discovery—feedback or playful roasts are encouraged if you stumble upon them.

• Content as Commits: Blog posts are styled as commit messages, hinting at a possible future move toward a dedicated content management system.

• Motion Design: While I embrace motion effects, I acknowledge that too much can be overwhelming. A ‘low chaos’ mode is in the works for sensitive visitors.

**Ongoing Development and Personal