There are few things better than seeing someone genuinely happy (for me anyway!). Like when someone makes something they’re proud of—and they can’t wait to share it.
That’s the feeling I saw this past week. Dozens of posts, demos, messages. All because of a feature: Webflow Interactions with GSAP. A feature I was lucky enough to help bring to life.
And as I watched the community play, experiment, and push the boundaries of what’s possible…
It reminded me of why I got into this industry in the first place. Not to work on software. Not to write specs. But to help people create. Make things. Play.
To make something that helps someone else feel empowered, inspired—and seen.
Why
Earlier this week, a teammate and I ended up asking each other a big question:
“Why are we doing what we’re doing? What does it matter?”
Not in a cynical way. Just… wondering. A quiet moment of reflection. (An interesting and unexpected Tuesday afternoon convo, I know!)
And I answered the only way I knew how:
I do what I do—and endure what I endure—to help someone make something that makes them happy.
To help them build something they didn’t think they could. To give them the kind of creative spark I once felt, a long time ago.
That’s why I got into this industry over a decade ago. That’s why I originally became a designer.
A Long Time Ago...
Over 20 years ago, during the early days of dial-up internet—powered by an endless supply of free AOL trial CDs—I remember opening Internet Explorer on our shared Windows ME-powered family PC and visiting this strange-sounding site called “GeoCities.”
Without any prior knowledge, without reading documentation, without knowing what I was doing—somehow, 12-year-old me managed to piece together and publish a website on the World Wide Web. Right there. Using that strange little site.
I remember how excited I felt. How creative I felt. How empowered I felt.
Somehow, I had made something from nothing. I could express myself. I could share this weird little thing I made—live on the internet. Complete with multi-colored serif fonts, animated flame titles, a visitor counter at the bottom, and a trusty “Under Construction” graphic smack dab in the middle. (We called gifs “Clipart” at the time.)
I loved playing with that thing. Playing in this strange, magical new digital space.
And I remember thinking to myself:
“It would be great if I could work somewhere that helps other people make websites.”
That was the dream.
Full Circle
Fast forward 20+ years. That’s exactly where I’ve landed.
I work on tools that help people build, express, and share their ideas with the world. I build things that help others make things.
And every time I see someone post a new interaction, or animate something unexpected, or express joy for a feature we’ve shipped—I think of 12-year-old me. Playing in GeoCities. Figuring it out. Dreaming a little.
That’s why I do what I do. Not to own creativity. But to unlock it. Not to chase credit. But to chase that feeling.
The one where someone smiles and thinks:
“Wow… I made this.”
And all I want to do is say:
“Heck yes you did! Keep on going!”