Progressing forward into a new year brings times of innovation amongst web developers and designers alike. We try to foreshadow 2011 with the designs of 2010 as our guide.
The Rise of CSS3 in 2011
This year saw an increasing number of websites utilizing CSS3 as their styling guide; with the use of HTML5. Elements of both markups can be found dating the few past years, however, a “push” toward fast adaption was discussed. The goal in mind was to better enhance browser support by having the core developers develop with HTML5, for example, in mind. Alex Giron’s original Our Solar System in CSS3, was a demonstration of CSS3 with static HTML.
A short excerpt from his site states:
“The advanced demo is a rough scale model of the Solar System that uses semantic HTML and makes extensive use of CSS pseudo-elements, generated content, and various bits of CSS3.
The advanced demo (keyboard support) is an attempt to provide keyboard support using CSS and a slight modification to the HTML. I’ve commented out the animations in this version of the demo.”
The use of fluid grids, flexible images, and media queries will be another rising trend for 2011. This year also ushered in new functionality to web design.
Now more than ever front end designers can shape fluid grids to accept flexible imagery. An elegant demonstration can be seen by Ethan Marcotte in his article of responsive web design.
Grid designs was another popular topic with efforts to push the boundaries past the standard 960px. For example a 978px Grid was purpose in efforts to solve gutter space in the margins. You can view a demonstration by clicking: here
A final thought to keep in mind is when observing CSS3. Quite a few sites contain JavaSscript libraries to further manipulate front end design. This means to get a more advanced user interface it would be wise to look into JavaScript. Moo Tools or jQuery are two great frameworks to look into.
Web Designs of 2010
Black & White
Sunil Kansara
Lars Ahrens
Image Background
Soyo.me
Brandon Taelor
Horizontal Layout
Design Influence
Si Scott Studio
Grid Design
Arias.ca/
Basvanhonk.nl
Typographic
Brewshop
Row To The Pole
Editors Pick
Cascade Brewery Co
