S. D. G.Soli Deo gloria

Making of

Which technologies was used to create this website and why I chose them

DATE: Sep 24, 2023

TIME: 12 min

TAGS: Stack

Currently, I'm immersed in the funky vibes of "Stomp!" by The Brothers Johnson, and let me tell you, that bassline is pure magic. But before we dive into the groove, let me shed some light on why I decided to embark on this blogging adventure:

Why I Started This Blog

I created this platform with two key objectives in mind:

1. Sharing My Professional Experience

With 8 years of experience as a frontend developer, my journey has taken me from agencies to major tech companies in Brazil. However, amidst the code and design, I realized I hadn't been sharing my insights on the internet. It was high time to change that. I've always admired developers who generously shared their learning process online, and I wanted to contribute to that pool of knowledge.

As developers, it's crucial to showcase our work beyond just completing tasks. How can people and companies truly understand the depth of what we're building without a closer look? This is an essential aspect of taking responsibility for your career.

2. Sharing the Learning Process

"A good way to learn is teaching." I had read this phrase countless times, but it didn't resonate as strongly until this year, 2023. I decided to venture into Theology, stepping out of my tech comfort zone. The academic nature of the course compelled me to express my thoughts in writing—a challenge for someone more comfortable with code than essays.This newfound experience has pushed me to share not only theological ideas but also thoughts on tech.

Crafting academic reviews or opinion pieces about the latest books from Invisible College (currently wrapping up the Essential course) is no walk in the park. It involves learning how to read critically, take meticulous notes, maintain consistency, and, most importantly, think deeply before translating those thoughts into a coherent piece for evaluation. The exercise of putting effort into understanding a subject deeply is invaluable, and the primary beneficiary of this exercise is yourself.

Learning Online, Sharing, and Teaching

Learning is a multi-faceted journey. It involves absorbing knowledge online, sharing insights, and teaching others. However, it's crucial to filter information rigorously, ensuring you learn the right things from reliable sources.

The Tech Behind My Site

The foundation of my site relies on:

  • NextJS: While I could have opted for any other framework, I chose Next to stay updated and explore aspects that my current job might not have allowed.

  • StyledComponents and StyledMediaQuery: For crafting a visually appealing and responsive design.

  • Contentful: Drawing from my current job's stack, Contentful emerged as a robust choice for its versatility, even on the free plan. Its prevalence in agencies and major company projects has pushed me to delve deeper into its capabilities beyond being a "simple Headless CMS platform."

  • GSAP: Adding a touch of magic with slick animations.

Design Concept: TWENTY FOUR

Black album cover of twenty four tape of Jonathan Ogden

Inspiration struck during the COVID era when Jonathan Ogden released "TWENTY FOUR," an album created using samples, mixes, and captivating lyrics. The designer in him extended to crafting the entire album cover and concept. I was captivated, thinking, "I'm adopting this design concept for my personal branding."

The website layout, conceptualized on Figma, is my take on this captivating design concept. In essence, the stack, the design, and the inspiration all converge to create a space that reflects not just my work but the journey and experiences that have shaped it. Cheers to embracing the groove and sharing the beats of our professional and learning escapades!