Building My Portfolio with Next.js: A Learning Journey

As a developer, I wanted a portfolio that showcased my skills and stood out. Choosing Next.js for my site, parkerlem.us, was a game-changer. This React framework made my learning experience exciting and delivered a powerful, professional result.

Why Next.js?

Next.js simplified building a fast, SEO-friendly site. Its hybrid rendering let me pre-render static pages for speed while keeping dynamic sections, like project demos, responsive. The App Router streamlined navigation, and features like next/image optimized my visuals effortlessly. I also integrated accessibility tools, ensuring my site is usable for everyone with semantic HTML and alt text.

What I Learned

From setting up Vercel deployments to mastering Server Components, Next.js pushed my JavaScript and React skills. Experimenting with Tailwind CSS for styling and API routes for dynamic data deepened my full-stack knowledge.

Why It Matters

Next.js empowered me to create a sleek, accessible portfolio that reflects my growth. It’s a testament to how modern frameworks can elevate projects while sharpening skills.

Explore my site and see Next.js in action! Ready to build your own? Start with npx create-next-app@latest.