Introducing Inside Thunderstorm

A new video series documenting the behind-the-scenes of building the next major version of my website — the twelfth in ten years.

Published on Jun 3, 2025

Introducing Inside Thunderstorm
Introducing Inside Thunderstorm
Introducing Inside Thunderstorm
Introducing Inside Thunderstorm

First episode is now live on YouTube.


Building + documenting

Over the past decade, I’ve redesigned my personal website eleven times. Each version was a snapshot of where I was creatively, what I was learning, exploring, or obsessing over. I’ve mentioned it a few times over the past months, but yes, a new major version of Thunderstorm is in the works: v12. And as if that wasn’t already enough, I decided to explore a new format along the way: video.

This series is part devlog (deslog?), part design diary, part creative therapy. It’s not just about what the site will become, but the messy, thoughtful process that leads there. From rewriting foundations in code, to bringing back my 3D city, to rethinking what a personal space even means in 2025.

The first episode covers my goals, my inspirations and concepts, why now, and what’s been on my mind since v11. I talk about nostalgia, inspiration, and the urge to make something I would’ve loved to stumble upon as a younger designer.


First thoughts on filming, editing, iterating

Aside from two earlier videos—my 1-year at Linear recap and the 2024 Showreel, I’m basically a rookie when it comes to editing.

Originally, I planned to release this in January… big (expected) fail. I shot it three times, recorded the voice-over four times, and went down several rabbit holes of codecs, workflows, and editing techniques. While 80% was done by February, I only wrapped up the final touches last weekend.

In my defense: I was also moving into a new place (still in Paris), then furnishing it, decorating it… and finding new excuses not to finish the video. But a few hours this past weekend did the trick. A few edits, add screen recordings, some visuals, this note — done.

I’m enjoying the process, actually. Learned the hard way to write a script before filming. Learned that screen recordings with rounded corners are Final Cut’s worst enemy. And discovered that editing audio in Descript is a dream.


Sharing content in 2025

What I didn’t enjoy? Promoting it. Do I make a short version for Twitter? A second tweet with the link? A post, a reel, a story on Instagram? A YouTube short? TikTok? No thanks.

I kept it simple: five Instagram stories, a post, and that’s it. This isn’t about playing the algorithm; it’s about documenting. Maybe someday I’ll experiment with editing and motion design on Instagram like I’ve seen others do, but not this time. Right now, it’s 80% building v12, 19% filming/editing, 1% promotion.

Thanks for watching. If you’ve been working on your own website, I’d love to hear how you think about it too.

Yann-Edern Gillet

Software Designer, Linear
Framer Awards Site of the Year 2022

Thunderstorm

© 2025 Yann-Edern Gillet

·

Yann-Edern Gillet

Software Designer, Linear
Framer Awards Site of the Year 2022

Thunderstorm

© 2025 Yann-Edern Gillet

·

Yann-Edern Gillet

Software Designer, Linear
Framer Awards Site of the Year 2022

Thunderstorm

© 2025 Yann-Edern Gillet

·

Yann-Edern Gillet

Software Designer, Linear
Framer Awards Site of the Year 2022

© 2025 Yann-Edern Gillet