Building a Developer Portfolio with Next.js 15
Lessons learned building this portfolio — App Router patterns, Tailwind design systems, and performance optimization.
Why Next.js for Portfolios?
Next.js gives you file-based routing, static generation, and excellent DX out of the box. For a portfolio, this means fast load times and great SEO — both critical for getting noticed.
Design System First
Before writing components, define your color palette, typography scale, and spacing system in Tailwind config. A cohesive design system makes every page feel intentional.
Component Architecture
Separate layout components (Header, Footer) from page sections (Hero, SkillsGrid). Keep UI primitives (Button, Badge, Card) in a dedicated folder for reuse across pages.
Performance
Use next/font for zero-layout-shift font loading. Prefer static generation for blog posts and project pages. Lazy-load heavy animations with Framer Motion's whileInView.