Parallax in Practice

Why Parallax?

Parallax effects introduce depth and layering into modern web interfaces. I used it to bring a sense of movement and play to my personal site — while maintaining clarity and structure.

How I Built It

• Built with Next.js and custom React components
• Used Framer Motion for scroll-based animations
• Layered SVG doodles and icons at different z-depths
• Created reusable <ParallaxImage> component with props for speed & offset

Interaction Goals

Parallax wasn’t just aesthetic — I used it to guide attention between sections, soften scroll transitions, and reinforce my visual branding with motion.

I tested contrast, reduced distraction by limiting parallax depth on text, and reserved motion for decorative/secondary elements.

What I Learned

• Motion can clarify — not just decorate — when used intentionally
• Performance is key: always throttle and optimize scroll effects
• Users remembered the experience — parallax boosted perceived polish