In today's digital age, your portfolio serves as your professional calling card. Whether you're a web developer, graphic designer, photographer, or any creative professional, an elegant interactive portfolio can significantly enhance your online presence, showcase your skills, and attract potential clients or employers. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through creating a sophisticated and interactive portfolio using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. By the end, you'll have a responsive gallery featuring dynamic filtering, a real-time search bar, dark/light mode toggle, and an intuitive lightbox modal to display your projects effectively.
Figure 1: Preview of the Elegant Interactive Portfolio Gallery
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Before diving into building your portfolio, ensure you have:
Basic Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript: Understanding the fundamentals is crucial.
Code Editor: Tools like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Atom are recommended.
Web Browser: Modern browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox with developer tools.
Images of Your Projects: High-quality visuals to showcase your work.
Setting Up the Project Structure
Organize your project files systematically for ease of management and scalability.
portfolio-gallery/
│
├── index.html
├── styles.css
├── script.js
└── assets/
└── images/
├── web-project1.jpg
├── graphic-project1.jpg
└── photography-project1.jpg
index.html: The main HTML file.
styles.css: Contains all CSS styles.
script.js: Holds JavaScript code for interactivity.
assets/images/: Directory for project images.
Creating the HTML Structure
Begin by crafting a semantic and accessible HTML structure. This foundation ensures your portfolio is both user-friendly and SEO-optimized.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Elegant Interactive Portfolio Gallery</title>
<!-- Font Awesome for Icons -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.4.0/css/all.min.css">
<!-- Google Fonts for Typography -->
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto:wght@400;700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
<!-- Stylesheet -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
<!-- Header Section -->
<header>
<div>
<p>Key Components:<br>
Header:</p>
<p>Logo and Title: Incorporates a Font Awesome icon for a professional touch.<br>
Search Bar: Allows users to search through your projects in real-time.<br>
Theme Toggle: Enables users to switch between dark and light modes.<br>
Navigation Filters: Buttons to filter projects by category.<br>
Gallery:</p>
<p>Gallery Items: Each project is encapsulated within a gallery-item div, containing an image and an overlay with the project title and description.<br>
Lightbox Modal:</p>
<p>Lightbox Structure: Displays an enlarged view of the project image along with detailed information when a gallery item is clicked.<br>
Footer:</p>
<p>Social Links: Provides links to your social media profiles and websites with corresponding icons.<br>
Styling with CSS<br>
To achieve a modern and elegant look, we'll utilize CSS Grid for the gallery layout, flexbox for the header and navigation, and CSS variables for easy theming. We'll also implement responsive design to ensure the portfolio looks great on all devices.<br>
</p>
<pre class="brush:php;toolbar:false">/* =====================================================================
1. CSS Variables for Theme Management
===================================================================== */
/* Light Theme Colors */
:root {
--color-bg-light: #f0f2f5;
--color-text-light: #333333;
--color-header-bg-light: #ffffff;
--color-header-text-light: #333333;
--color-overlay-light: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
--color-footer-bg-light: #ffffff;
--color-footer-text-light: #333333;
--color-button-bg-light: #e0e0e0;
--color-button-hover-light: #333333;
--color-button-text-light: #333333;
--color-button-hover-text-light: #ffffff;
/* Font Sizes */
--font-size-base: 16px;
--font-size-large: 2.5rem;
--font-size-medium: 1.2rem;
--font-size-small: 0.9rem;
/* Transition Duration */
--transition-duration: 0.3s;
}
/* Dark Theme Colors */
body.dark-mode {
--color-bg-dark: #121212;
--color-text-dark: #e0e0e0;
--color-header-bg-dark: #1e1e1e;
--color-header-text-dark: #e0e0e0;
--color-overlay-dark: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85);
--color-footer-bg-dark: #1e1e1e;
--color-footer-text-dark: #e0e0e0;
--color-button-bg-dark: #333333;
--color-button-hover-dark: #ffffff;
--color-button-text-dark: #ffffff;
--color-button-hover-text-dark: #333333;
}
/* =====================================================================
2. Reset and Base Styles
===================================================================== */
* {
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
body {
font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
background-color: var(--color-bg-light);
color: var(--color-text-light);
transition: background-color var(--transition-duration), color var(--transition-duration);
line-height: 1.6;
}
/* Dark Mode Background and Text */
body.dark-mode {
background-color: var(--color-bg-dark);
color: var(--color-text-dark);
}
/* =====================================================================
3. Header Styles
===================================================================== */
header {
background-color: var(--color-header-bg-light);
box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
position: sticky;
top: 0;
z-index: 1000;
transition: background-color var(--transition-duration), box-shadow var(--transition-duration);
}
body.dark-mode header {
background-color: var(--color-header-bg-dark);
box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
}
.header-container {
max-width: 1200px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 1.5rem 2rem;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
}
header h1 {
font-size: var(--font-size-large);
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 0.5rem;
color: var(--color-header-text-light);
transition: color var(--transition-duration);
}
body.dark-mode .header-container h1 {
color: var(--color-header-text-dark);
}
.header-controls {
margin-top: 1rem;
display: flex;
gap: 1rem;
align-items: center;
}
#searchBar {
padding: 0.6rem 1.2rem;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 30px;
width: 250px;
transition: border-color var(--transition-duration), background-color var(--transition-duration), color var(--transition-duration);
}
#searchBar:focus {
border-color: #555;
outline: none;
}
body.dark-mode #searchBar {
background-color: #2c2c2c;
color: #e0e0e0;
border: 1px solid #555;
}
body.dark-mode #searchBar::placeholder {
color: #aaa;
}
#themeToggle {
background: none;
border: none;
cursor: pointer;
font-size: 1.5rem;
color: var(--color-button-text-light);
transition: color var(--transition-duration);
}
body.dark-mode #themeToggle {
color: var(--color-button-text-dark);
}
#themeToggle:hover {
color: var(--color-button-hover-text-light);
}
body.dark-mode #themeToggle:hover {
color: var(--color-button-hover-text-dark);
}
/* =====================================================================
4. Navigation Styles
===================================================================== */
nav ul {
list-style: none;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
gap: 1rem;
margin-top: 1rem;
}
nav .filter-btn {
padding: 0.6rem 1.2rem;
border: none;
background-color: var(--color-button-bg-light);
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color var(--transition-duration), color var(--transition-duration), transform var(--transition-duration);
border-radius: 30px;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 0.5rem;
font-size: var(--font-size-medium);
}
nav .filter-btn:hover {
background-color: var(--color-button-hover-light);
color: var(--color-button-hover-text-light);
transform: translateY(-3px);
}
nav .filter-btn.active {
background-color: #333333;
color: #ffffff;
}
body.dark-mode nav .filter-btn {
background-color: var(--color-button-bg-dark);
color: var(--color-button-text-dark);
}
body.dark-mode nav .filter-btn:hover {
background-color: var(--color-button-hover-dark);
color: var(--color-button-hover-text-dark);
}
body.dark-mode nav .filter-btn.active {
background-color: #ffffff;
color: #333333;
}
/* =====================================================================
5. Gallery Styles
===================================================================== */
.gallery {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(280px, 1fr));
gap: 2rem;
padding: 3rem 2rem;
max-width: 1400px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
.gallery-item {
position: relative;
overflow: hidden;
border-radius: 20px;
cursor: pointer;
box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
transition: transform var(--transition-duration), box-shadow var(--transition-duration);
}
.gallery-item:hover {
transform: translateY(-15px);
box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
}
.gallery-item img {
width: 100%;
height: auto;
display: block;
transition: transform var(--transition-duration);
}
.gallery-item:hover img {
transform: scale(1.1);
}
.overlay {
position: absolute;
bottom: 0;
background: var(--color-overlay-light);
color: #ffffff;
width: 100%;
transform: translateY(100%);
transition: transform var(--transition-duration), background-color var(--transition-duration);
padding: 1.2rem;
text-align: center;
}
.gallery-item:hover .overlay {
transform: translateY(0);
}
body.dark-mode .overlay {
background: var(--color-overlay-dark);
}
.overlay h3 {
margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
font-size: var(--font-size-medium);
font-weight: 700;
}
.overlay p {
font-size: var(--font-size-small);
line-height: 1.4;
}
/* =====================================================================
6. Lightbox Styles
===================================================================== */
.lightbox {
position: fixed;
top: 0;
left: 0;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95);
display: none;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
z-index: 2000;
animation: fadeIn 0.3s ease;
}
.lightbox.active {
display: flex;
}
.lightbox-content {
position: relative;
max-width: 80%;
max-height: 80%;
background-color: #ffffff;
border-radius: 15px;
overflow: hidden;
animation: slideDown 0.3s ease;
box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
}
body.dark-mode .lightbox-content {
background-color: #1e1e1e;
color: #e0e0e0;
}
.lightbox img {
width: 100%;
height: auto;
display: block;
}
.lightbox-caption {
padding: 1.5rem;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
transition: background-color var(--transition-duration), color var(--transition-duration);
}
body.dark-mode .lightbox-caption {
background-color: #2c2c2c;
}
.lightbox-caption h3 {
margin-bottom: 0.8rem;
font-size: var(--font-size-medium);
}
.lightbox-caption p {
font-size: var(--font-size-small);
line-height: 1.5;
}
/* Close Button Styles */
.close {
position: absolute;
top: 20px;
right: 25px;
color: #ffffff;
font-size: 2rem;
cursor: pointer;
transition: color var(--transition-duration), transform var(--transition-duration);
}
.close:hover {
color: #cccccc;
transform: scale(1.1);
}
body.dark-mode .close {
color: #e0e0e0;
}
body.dark-mode .close:hover {
color: #ffffff;
}
/* =====================================================================
7. Footer Styles
===================================================================== */
footer {
text-align: center;
padding: 2rem 1rem;
background-color: var(--color-footer-bg-light);
box-shadow: 0 -2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
margin-top: 3rem;
transition: background-color var(--transition-duration), box-shadow var(--transition-duration);
}
body.dark-mode footer {
background-color: var(--color-footer-bg-dark);
box-shadow: 0 -2px 8px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
}
footer p {
font-size: var(--font-size-small);
color: var(--color-footer-text-light);
transition: color var(--transition-duration);
}
body.dark-mode footer p {
color: var(--color-footer-text-dark);
}
footer a {
color: inherit;
text-decoration: none;
margin: 0 0.5rem;
transition: color var(--transition-duration), transform var(--transition-duration);
}
footer a:hover {
color: #0073e6;
transform: scale(1.05);
}
body.dark-mode footer a:hover {
color: #1e90ff;
}
/* =====================================================================
8. Responsive Design Adjustments
===================================================================== */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
header h1 {
font-size: 2rem;
}
.header-controls {
flex-direction: column;
gap: 0.5rem;
}
#searchBar {
width: 200px;
}
nav ul {
flex-direction: column;
gap: 0.5rem;
}
.gallery {
padding: 2rem 1rem;
gap: 1.5rem;
}
.lightbox-content {
max-width: 90%;
max-height: 90%;
}
}
@media (max-width: 480px) {
header h1 {
font-size: 1.8rem;
}
#searchBar {
width: 180px;
}
.gallery-item {
border-radius: 10px;
}
.overlay h3 {
font-size: 1rem;
}
.overlay p {
font-size: 0.8rem;
}
.lightbox-caption {
padding: 1rem;
}
.lightbox-caption h3 {
font-size: 1rem;
}
.lightbox-caption p {
font-size: 0.8rem;
}
footer p {
font-size: 0.8rem;
}
}
/* =====================================================================
9. Keyframe Animations
===================================================================== */
@keyframes fadeIn {
from { opacity: 0; }
to { opacity: 1; }
}
@keyframes slideDown {
from { transform: translateY(-30px); opacity: 0; }
to { transform: translateY(0); opacity: 1; }
}
Enhancements Explained:
CSS Variables for Theme Management:
Light and Dark Theme Variables: Utilizing CSS variables allows for easy theming and consistent color management across the entire stylesheet.
Modern Typography and Layout:
Font Sizes and Line Heights: Defined variables for various font sizes ensure consistency and scalability.
Box Shadows and Transitions: Added depth and smooth interactions enhance the visual appeal.
Responsive Design:
Media Queries: Ensure the portfolio adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes, providing an optimal viewing experience on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops.
Interactive Elements:
Hover Effects: Subtle scaling and shadow enhancements make interactions feel more dynamic and engaging.
Smooth Transitions: Ensures that changes like theme toggling and lightbox animations feel natural and fluid.
Accessibility Considerations:
Color Contrast: Maintained sufficient contrast between text and background for readability.
Interactive Element Sizing: Buttons and interactive elements are sized appropriately for easy interaction on all devices.
Adding Interactivity with JavaScript
JavaScript brings your portfolio to life by handling user interactions such as filtering projects, opening the lightbox, and toggling between dark and light modes.
// =====================================================================
// 1. Selecting Elements
// =====================================================================
const filterButtons = document.querySelectorAll('.filter-btn');
const galleryItems = document.querySelectorAll('.gallery-item');
const searchBar = document.getElementById('searchBar');
const lightbox = document.getElementById('lightbox');
const lightboxImg = document.getElementById('lightbox-img');
const lightboxTitle = document.getElementById('lightbox-title');
const lightboxDescription = document.getElementById('lightbox-description');
const closeBtn = document.querySelector('.close');
const themeToggleBtn = document.getElementById('themeToggle');
const body = document.body;
const header = document.querySelector('header');
const galleryItemsArray = Array.from(galleryItems);
const lightboxContent = document.querySelector('.lightbox-content');
const overlayElements = document.querySelectorAll('.overlay');
const filterBtns = document.querySelectorAll('.filter-btn');
// =====================================================================
// 2. Filtering Functionality
// =====================================================================
function filterGallery() {
const activeFilter = document.querySelector('.filter-btn.active').getAttribute('data-filter');
const searchQuery = searchBar.value.toLowerCase();
galleryItems.forEach(item => {
const itemCategory = item.getAttribute('data-category');
const itemTitle = item.querySelector('.overlay h3').textContent.toLowerCase();
if (
(activeFilter === 'all' || itemCategory === activeFilter) &&
itemTitle.includes(searchQuery)
) {
item.style.display = 'block';
} else {
item.style.display = 'none';
}
});
}
// Event Listeners for Filter Buttons
filterButtons.forEach(button => {
button.addEventListener('click', () => {
// Remove 'active' class from all buttons
filterButtons.forEach(btn => btn.classList.remove('active'));
// Add 'active' class to the clicked button
button.classList.add('active');
// Filter the gallery based on the selected category
filterGallery();
});
});
// Event Listener for Search Bar
searchBar.addEventListener('input', () => {
filterGallery();
});
// =====================================================================
// 3. Lightbox Functionality
// =====================================================================
// Function to Open Lightbox
function openLightbox(item) {
const imgSrc = item.querySelector('img').src;
const title = item.querySelector('.overlay h3').textContent;
const description = item.querySelector('.overlay p').textContent;
lightboxImg.src = imgSrc;
lightboxTitle.textContent = title;
lightboxDescription.textContent = description;
lightbox.classList.add('active');
body.style.overflow = 'hidden'; // Prevent background scrolling
}
// Event Listeners for Gallery Items
galleryItems.forEach(item => {
item.addEventListener('click', () => {
openLightbox(item);
});
});
// Function to Close Lightbox
function closeLightbox() {
lightbox.classList.remove('active');
body.style.overflow = 'auto'; // Restore background scrolling
}
// Event Listener for Close Button
closeBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
closeLightbox();
});
// Event Listener for Clicking Outside Lightbox Content
window.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
if (e.target === lightbox) {
closeLightbox();
}
});
// =====================================================================
// 4. Theme Toggle Functionality
// =====================================================================
// Retrieve Saved Theme from Local Storage
const savedTheme = localStorage.getItem('theme') || 'light-mode';
// Function to Apply Theme
function applyTheme(theme) {
if (theme === 'dark-mode') {
body.classList.add('dark-mode');
header.classList.add('dark-mode');
lightbox.classList.add('dark-mode');
lightboxContent.classList.add('dark-mode');
overlayElements.forEach(el => el.classList.add('dark-mode'));
galleryItemsArray.forEach(item => item.classList.add('dark-mode'));
filterBtns.forEach(btn => btn.classList.add('dark-mode'));
// Change Icon to Sun
themeToggleBtn.querySelector('i').classList.remove('fa-moon');
themeToggleBtn.querySelector('i').classList.add('fa-sun');
} else {
body.classList.remove('dark-mode');
header.classList.remove('dark-mode');
lightbox.classList.remove('dark-mode');
lightboxContent.classList.remove('dark-mode');
overlayElements.forEach(el => el.classList.remove('dark-mode'));
galleryItemsArray.forEach(item => item.classList.remove('dark-mode'));
filterBtns.forEach(btn => btn.classList.remove('dark-mode'));
// Change Icon to Moon
themeToggleBtn.querySelector('i').classList.remove('fa-sun');
themeToggleBtn.querySelector('i').classList.add('fa-moon');
}
}
// Apply Saved Theme on Page Load
applyTheme(savedTheme);
// Event Listener for Theme Toggle Button
themeToggleBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
if (body.classList.contains('dark-mode')) {
applyTheme('light-mode');
localStorage.setItem('theme', 'light-mode');
} else {
applyTheme('dark-mode');
localStorage.setItem('theme', 'dark-mode');
}
});
Key Functionalities:
Filtering Projects:
Category-Based Filtering: Users can filter projects by categories like Web Design, Graphic Design, and Photography.
Real-Time Search: The search bar filters projects based on the input, enhancing user experience.
Lightbox Modal:
Image Enlargement: Clicking on a project opens a modal displaying a larger image and detailed description.
Seamless Navigation: Users can easily close the modal by clicking the close button or outside the content area.
Dark/Light Mode Toggle:
User Preference: Users can switch between dark and light themes, with their preference saved in localStorage for persistence across sessions.
Icon Switching: The toggle button icon dynamically changes to reflect the current theme.
Implementing Dark/Light Mode
Dark mode not only provides a modern aesthetic but also enhances accessibility for users in low-light environments. Here's how to integrate a dark/light mode toggle in your portfolio:
CSS Variables: We've already defined variables for both light and dark themes.
JavaScript Toggle: The script.js handles the addition and removal of the dark-mode class, changing the theme accordingly.
Persisting User Preference: Using localStorage, the user's theme preference is saved and applied on subsequent visits.
Enhancing User Experience: Search and Filtering
Dynamic Filtering and a Real-Time Search Bar empower users to navigate through your projects effortlessly.
Filtering by Category: Users can click on filter buttons to view projects within specific categories.
Real-Time Search: As users type into the search bar, projects are filtered in real-time based on the input, providing instant feedback.
Optimizing for Responsiveness and Accessibility
An elegant portfolio must be responsive and accessible to cater to all users.
Responsive Design:
Flexible Layouts: Using CSS Grid and Flexbox ensures that the gallery adapts to various screen sizes.
Media Queries: Adjust font sizes, padding, and layout based on device width for optimal viewing.
Accessibility:
Alt Text for Images: Descriptive alt attributes improve accessibility for screen readers.
Keyboard Navigation: Ensure that all interactive elements are reachable via keyboard.
Color Contrast: Maintain high contrast ratios between text and background for readability.
Deploying Your Portfolio
Once satisfied with your portfolio, it's time to deploy it for the world to see.
Hosting Platforms:
GitHub Pages: Free hosting service for static websites.
Netlify: Offers continuous deployment and free hosting with custom domain support.
Vercel: Provides seamless deployment for frontend projects.
Custom Domain:
Purchase a custom domain to make your portfolio more professional and memorable.
SEO Optimization:
Use meaningful meta tags, titles, and descriptions.
Optimize loading times by compressing images and minifying CSS/JS files.
Promoting Your Portfolio
Having a stunning portfolio is just the first step. Promoting it ensures it reaches your target audience.
Social Media:
Share your portfolio on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
Networking:
Engage with communities on Reddit, Stack Overflow, or Dribbble.
Attend virtual or in-person networking events to showcase your work.
SEO and Content Marketing:
Start a blog related to your field to drive organic traffic.
Optimize your portfolio for search engines with relevant keywords.
Email Signature:
Include a link to your portfolio in your email signature to promote it passively.
Conclusion
Creating an Elegant Interactive Portfolio Gallery is a rewarding endeavor that showcases your skills and projects in a professional and engaging manner. By leveraging HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, you can build a responsive and dynamic portfolio that stands out in the digital landscape.
Explore More of My Work:
LinkedIn: Pierre-Romain Lopez
GladiatorsBattle: gladiatorsbattle.com
DivWeb: divweb.fr
Twitter: @GladiatorsBT
JeanFernandsEtti: jeanfernandsetti.fr
XavierFlabat: xavier-flabat.com
Feel free to reach out through my social media channels or visit my websites to learn more about my projects and services. I'm always open to collaboration and new opportunities!
Happy Coding and Best of Luck with Your Portfolio! ?✨
About the Author
Pierre-Romain Lopez is a passionate web developer and designer with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to creating engaging and user-friendly digital experiences. With a diverse portfolio spanning web design, graphic design, and photography, Pierre-Romain excels in bringing creative visions to life through code and design.
The above is the detailed content of Building an Elegant Interactive Portfolio Gallery with HTMLCSSand JavaScript. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
![[Web front-end] Node.js quick start](https://img.php.cn/upload/course/000/000/067/662b5d34ba7c0227.png)
