Started with exploring the intersection of traditional Japanese design principles and modern digital interfaces. Researched Bauhaus typography, manga illustration techniques, and contemporary portfolio designs. The goal was to create something that felt both timeless and fresh.

Filled multiple sketchbooks with rough concepts, exploring different layout grids, navigation patterns, and visual hierarchies. The '+' navigation concept emerged from wanting something more playful than traditional menu systems while maintaining excellent usability.

Established the core design tokens - the stark monochrome palette with the signature yellow accent, typography scales, spacing rhythms, and animation principles. Every decision was made to support the 'architectural notebook' aesthetic while ensuring accessibility.

Built interactive prototypes to test the card hover effects, accordion animations, and scroll-triggered reveals. Fine-tuned the timing curves to achieve that smooth, paper-like feeling when navigating through content.

Implemented using Next.js with Tailwind CSS, focusing on performance and accessibility. Added progressive enhancement for animations, proper ARIA labels, and optimized image loading with lazy loading and WebP formats.