GreenCars

Why did we build this project?

After the Vanta and Dualite projects, we wanted to take on a build that emphasized real-world structure, not just animations. This wasn’t about flashy design—it was about real-world CMS setup, scalable grids, and structure that lasts. GreenCars was the perfect fit: a clean, professional layout powered by smart CMS use and micro-interactions. It helped us push our thinking beyond visuals and into scalability, maintainability, and user interaction flow.

How We Approached the Build?

✅ Scalable from the Ground Up

Using Client-First principles, we structured reusable components, maintained clean naming conventions, and prioritized scalability, because a CMS site should handle 5 items or 500 without breaking.

⚙️ CMS Structure & Dynamic Content

We created dynamic collections to manage content modularly. This meant understanding collection references, conditional visibility, and field flexibility. We didn’t just build—it became a masterclass in CMS design.

🔄 Responsive Grid Work

Minimal design doesn’t mean easy. Grid systems had to adapt across devices, and small layout missteps were immediately visible. This project trained us to see (and fix) the smallest responsive quirks.

What We Learned

1. Mega Menu Structure & Mouse Interactions

The megamenu in the nav bar was deceptively complex. We used learnings from our earlier Vanta build and elevated it with mouse hover triggers, dynamic dropdown alignment, and more precise layout control. This was great practice in both interaction logic and accessibility.

2. Search Bar Reveal with Mouse Click Animation

Building a search icon that expands into a field on click was a first for us. With no custom code allowed, we reverse-engineered the animation behavior using only Webflow’s native interactions and a bit of trial-and-error. It worked — and it taught us how to problem-solve with constraints.

3. Grid-Based Layout Execution

Though the layout looks minimal, achieving it demanded solid understanding of CSS grid logic. We experimented with both auto and manual grid placement, deepening our skills in layout structuring for responsive performance.

4. CMS Strategy on a Free Plan

Despite the collection limit, we managed to implement four CMS collections and structured the project in a modular, scalable way, ensuring it could be expanded later without breaking the current structure. We practiced:

• Referencing multiple collection lists
• Conditional visibility
• Scalable field planning
• Layout thinking around CMS constraints

5. Subtle, Functional Animations

The animations here were quieter—but trickier in some ways. We worked with:

• Hover-based animations (on nav & cards)
• Sticky section effects
• Click-based element toggles
• Precise animation timing for UX clarity

🎯 Why This Project Matters

In real-world client work, content always grows, and this project taught us how to build for it. From CMS setup to layout scale, this project gave us practical tools to:

• Structure for longevity
• Build reusable components
• Anticipate and fix responsive challenges
• Implement CMS logic like pros

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t our flashiest build—but it might be the smartest. GreenCars gave us real-world training in structure, logic, interaction design, and CMS architecture. It’s a showcase of how clean builds still require complex thinking—and how we can adapt under platform limits to deliver professional results.