BRIGGS WOOLLEY
Briggs Woolley Portfolio: Custom Interactions
on Squarespace
Where no-code ends, custom code picks up: adding interaction to a Squarespace build.
Role: Web Developer
Tools Used: Squarespace, Figma, JavaScript, CSS, HTML
Briggs Woolley is a design research lead based in New York who wanted to refresh his portfolio with a new, thoughtful design. Working collaboratively with graphic designer Noa Chang, we brought Briggs' vision to life on Squarespace.
WEBSITE BUILDER LIMITATIONS:
While Squarespace is great for simple builds, it has limitations when it comes to flexibility and animation. To faithfully execute Noa’s design, I had to stretch the platform’s capabilities by writing and embedding custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
This included parallax animations, custom hover interactions, and layout adjustments that weren’t achievable with Squarespace’s native tools or templates. I also implemented custom fonts, which required manually uploading font files, modifying site stylesheets, and carefully testing across browsers to ensure consistency.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: I went back and forth with Noa to iterate on animations and layout behavior, and communicated directly with Briggs to make sure the site aligned with his goals and research ethos.
Since Briggs wanted long-term ownership over the site, I also created walked him through how to update and maintain custom elements going forward.
Final Result: I'm happy to say that the client was delighted by the final product! It is a sleek, responsive portfolio that reflects Briggs’s unique blend of research expertise and artistic sensibility. It seamlessly integrates custom animations, carefully selected typography, and a user-friendly layout, all within the Squarespace ecosystem. The design feels both grounded and dynamic, offering a clear and engaging way to explore his work.
Takeaways: This project was a great example of bridging visual design with technical execution, even within the constraints of a templated platform. It sharpened my ability to collaborate with designers, communicate with clients, and problem-solve creatively with code. I left the project proud of the final product, and confident in my ability to push tools like Squarespace far beyond their default limits.