Fluid Worlds and Layered Visions: Tomoya Okada’s Digital Craft

0
6


Since 2020, I have been working as a frontend engineer in Japan.

While my main role is in engineering, I also have a strong interest in design, and I have created numerous personal projects that reflect this passion.

I began studying web development independently in 2020, and after working as a freelancer for about four years, I am now employed at a production company (as of 2025). Recently, I’ve also developed an interest in graphic design and 3D modeling. I hope to continue expanding my knowledge across a wide range of fields—not limited to the web.

My strengths lie in creating interactive experiences, particularly in the area of animation. When it comes to design, I excel at producing visuals that are both aesthetically appealing and highly functional.

Featured Work

Faint Film

This website showcases the photographs I have taken so far. I aimed to create a soft, layered visual experience where each image gently overlaps the others.

One of the most distinctive features of the site is the view-mode toggle on the main page.
It offers two modes: a refined grid layout and a slider layout. The transition animation between these modes is something I’m particularly proud of, as I believe it turned out beautifully.

I paid close attention to implementing animations that complement—rather than overpower—the photographs, which are the true focus of the site. Thanks to this balanced approach, the project has received recognition and multiple awards from various design platforms. It’s a piece of work that highlights my strengths in design.

Portfolio v7

This is the website I released as Portfolio Version 7. It became a site defined by bold parallax effects and smooth transitions. There were several challenges in this project, one of which was creating visuals using fluid expressions and generative AI.

The flower image on the homepage was generated with AI, and I explored how to present this image as beautifully as possible. That exploration led me to fluid expression. By blending monochrome and color visuals that appear and disappear within the fluid, I was able to capture both fragility and beauty.

This site embodies many of my creative experiments and challenges.

Layrid

This site is a commemorative project celebrating the creation of 100 personal works. The name Layrid is a coined word combining layer and grid, reflecting the idea of organizing accumulated works within a structured grid.

Key features include a smooth opening animation, seamless navigation between subpages, and dynamic transitions of the top images. By incorporating bold WebGL-driven transitions within an experience that maintains continuity, I was able to create a striking contrast between stillness and motion.

Portfolio v8

This is my latest portfolio as of September 2025. For this site, I focused on achieving both clarity and functionality. On the homepage, you can view several of my latest projects at a glance, presented with unique open/close animations and organized for easy exploration.

In addition, the site includes an archive of personal projects as well as a Playground that showcases graphics created purely for fun. Through this site, you can explore the wide range of works I continue to produce and gain a deeper understanding of who I am.

I’m especially proud of the details, such as the subtle click sounds and the color scheme that shifts depending on the time of day.

What I value

Enjoying my work

This doesn’t mean playing around or having fun in a casual sense. We believe that great websites are born when creators approach each project with passion and genuine enjoyment. That’s why we value making the process enjoyable for ourselves first—it forms the foundation for meaningful, high-quality work.

Ensuring smooth communication

Clear and smooth communication allows us to align on direction and create with a strong shared understanding. We make it a point to engage thoughtfully and carefully with both clients and team members, ensuring we move forward without misunderstandings.

Continuing to learn every day

This industry evolves at a rapid pace, with trends constantly shifting. That’s why I make it a priority to keep learning and updating my knowledge every day, never standing still.

Final Thoughts

First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Codrops for giving me this opportunity. Although I’m a developer, I’m also eager to further explore the field of design. I believe that having a well-rounded skill set is essential when working in the web industry. I will continue to grow by strengthening my passions while also improving in areas where I still lack.

I actively share various websites and insights on social media, so please feel free to check them out.

Thank you very much for reading to the end.



Source link