Design & Interactive Experiences

We have a problem: modern web technology is getting ever more complex. As a result, teams are struggling to produce their best work and we are often failing the people we are building for. One reason for that: the infamous and ever-growing gaps between design and development. How can we overcome those divisions and deepen our common understanding of the material we are building with? And why is CSS one key component of all that? In this talk, we will look at possible solutions and practical examples that will enable us to forge links between the disciplines and to design and engineer better with the inherent flexibility of the Web – together.

Some of the world's greatest print design was made on known canvases, with known content using known color options. On the web, we have more flexible tools. Media queries, flexible units, Grid Layout and Flexbox let us do great graphic design. With flexibility.

CSS Grid revolutionizes how we create layouts on the web — but how exactly should we use it? When someone emails you a PDF, how do you know the best way to get started? Where should you use what code? How do you translate a static drawing into a dynamic layout? In the spirit of Smashing’s “no slides” rule, Jen Simmons will live code a design from start to finish (or however close to finish she gets before time's up). No net, no preparation. How does someone in the real world create a layout using the tools of Intrinsic Web Design?

2017 saw a sea change in web layout, one that few of us have truly come to grips with. We’re standing at the threshold of an entirely new era in digital design—one in which, rather than hacking layouts together, we can actually describe layouts directly. The benefits will touch everything from prototyping to custom art direction to responsive design. In this visionary talk, rooted in years of practical experience, Jen will show you how to understand what’s different, learn to think through multiple stages of flexibility, and let go of pixel constraints forever.