Whilst I think there a great deal to be said for this approach when it come to showing a design concept to a client (setting realistic expectations of what to expect in different browsers being a huge benefit), I’m not yet convinced that for the intial design it isn’t quicker and more conducive to creativity to design outside the browser.
My own tool of choice for web work is Fireworks rather that Photoshop, I find it much better suited to the job and is so much faster for initial prototyping than CSS.
Of course in some ways it helps to be using Fireworks (or Photoshop) from the perspective of someone who is eventually going to have to create the code for all the supported browsers. That way you’re unlikely to design something that won’t work well in the various browsers or will require far too much markup.
On the other hand, some of the design concepts that have been handed to me by colleagues who are pure designers (typically as Illustrator files) have led to great sites too. They may just need to be passed through a few usability checks first and can often be really challenging to build – but that’s not always a bad thing.
I suppose it all depends on our relative skills with each tool and the variables of each project.
Thanks to all of you for a great 24ways 2009. Merry Christmas
Paul Hearne
Interesting and challenging article, thanks.
Whilst I think there a great deal to be said for this approach when it come to showing a design concept to a client (setting realistic expectations of what to expect in different browsers being a huge benefit), I’m not yet convinced that for the intial design it isn’t quicker and more conducive to creativity to design outside the browser.
My own tool of choice for web work is Fireworks rather that Photoshop, I find it much better suited to the job and is so much faster for initial prototyping than CSS.
Of course in some ways it helps to be using Fireworks (or Photoshop) from the perspective of someone who is eventually going to have to create the code for all the supported browsers. That way you’re unlikely to design something that won’t work well in the various browsers or will require far too much markup.
On the other hand, some of the design concepts that have been handed to me by colleagues who are pure designers (typically as Illustrator files) have led to great sites too. They may just need to be passed through a few usability checks first and can often be really challenging to build – but that’s not always a bad thing.
I suppose it all depends on our relative skills with each tool and the variables of each project.
Thanks to all of you for a great 24ways 2009. Merry Christmas