Writing Clean CSS3 Code
September 1st, 2010 — 13 Comments
One of the main problems with writing CSS3 code are the vendor prefixes. These are the -moz- or -webkit- you see before properties such as border-radius or text-shadow. They’re a necessary evil at worst and you’ll have to use them to get the most out of what CSS3 currently has to offer.
So what’s the problem? I’m very much a fan of the single line approach to writing CSS as seen below. It allows elements to sit under each other nicely, making them easier to find. Good commenting also helps.
Snippets
July 19th, 2010 — 5 Comments
Now the summer is pretty much over here in England and the World Cup no longer takes up most of my spare time, I can finally dedicate some much needed time to Inspect Element and it’s been far too long.
If you’re wondering, I have plenty of great blog post ideas lined up (my Evernote account is chock full of them) so hopefully it will be worth the wait!
Snippets
Snippets are a way for me point out interesting links in the world of web design and even provide some of my own insight along the way. It’s very similar to a technique that has been used by John Gruber on his superb blog, Daring Fireball. I’m seeing it more and more these days with the likes of Cameron Moll and Dan Cederholm using it via the tumblr blogging engine. As you can see it mixes the more traditional long-form method of blogging with a short-form style that is too much for micro-blogging services such as Twitter.
Read more...Taking a Break
April 7th, 2010 — 13 Comments
Inspect Element has been up and running for about ten months now. Hopefully it has provided you with enough useful information which you’ve been able to apply to your own work and improve what you do. It certainly has helped me improve my own work which was one of the many goals I set out before I started.
Tools and Resources to Improve your Typography on the Web
February 4th, 2010 — 13 Comments
Typography on the web has previously been confined to a set of web-safe fonts due to their dependance of being on every computer but now that has changed. It’s one of the most satisfying and rewarding aspects of web design when you get it right but can also be one of the most difficult to do so. Here are some tools, resources and free fonts to help you on your quest for quality typography.
Read more...
15 Stunning and Fresh Premium WordPress Portfolio Themes
January 19th, 2010 — 10 Comments
A benefit of building a portfolio using WordPress is you have the ability to use the powerful blog features alongside your portfolio. A blog discussing your work or more about your processes and inspiration will add to the personality and allow potential clients to get to know you more increasing the attractiveness of you as a web designer. WordPress can also act as a more than adequate CMS for displaying your portfolio work.
Call to Arms for Web Designers: Make Simplicity the Trend for 2010
January 15th, 2010 — 47 Comments
When designers talk about web design trends, more often than not, they’re referring to a visual design style such as letterpress or gradients but a trend doesn’t have to be something you see.
So this doesn’t mean you have to resort to using a minimalistic design to achieve simplicity in web design. Far from it. Applying simplicity to your websites or designs can be as simple as removing unnecessary elements or by reducing the steps it takes to complete a specific task.
We live in a world where technology is becoming more and more advanced but the way we interact with it is becoming more and more simple. The current example are touch screens and the impending release of tablet computers. When you look at what touch screens are doing for usability, you realise they are removing any intermediate devices (keyboards and mice) and allowing you to interact with the device directly. A great example of making something easier through simplicity.
Read more...A Look Back at the Best Redesigns of 2009
January 7th, 2010 — 28 Comments
With 2009 complete, we can take a good look back and realise that it was a great year for web design. It’s time to reflect and see what redesigns really were the best of the bunch from such a great year. While redesigning Inspect Element, I took the time to see what other sites had done to reinvent themselves and breathe new life into their projects. Here are just some fantastic examples from the last year and what makes them so great.
