Introduction


Welcome to the book about a project that helped shape the future of the Web.

The Zen of CSS Design came to exist because of a Web site launched on May 8, 2003. This site set out to change how people perceive Web design, and some-where along the way it ended up an international phenomenon. It is called the CSS Zen Garden and is a result of the collaborative effort of many talented people spanning the globe.

Equal parts manifesto and gallery, the Zen Garden was built to demonstrate what can be accomplished visually through CSS-based design. Designers are called upon to submit their own original visions in the form of style sheets and images. The catch is that all designs must use the same base HTML file. There are no exceptions; the HTML is absolutely identical in every single design.

Sound incredible? Maybe even a little crazy? It could be both, but what is abundantly clear is that CSS is as capable a design tool as any when placed in the right hands. The Zen of CSS Design showcases 36 of the finest submissions to the site, and takes a closer look at the design processes of the creators, and the tools and coding methods they used.

A whole book about a single Web site? Really? If this were any ordinary Web site, you'd be right to be incredulous. But the Zen Garden is packed with so much variety and useful teaching, contributed by so many people from around the world with different skill sets, that the tough part was condensing it all into a single manuscript.

Note

You can go to www.csszengarden.com to view the CSS Zen Garden and all designs contained in this book.

To view the markup, find your browser's "View Source" function, which is typically located under the "View" Menu.

To view the CSS that makes up each design, select the design and then find the "View This Design's CSS" link within the page. Careful, each design puts that link somewhere different.




    The Zen of CSS Design(c) Visual Enlightenment for the Web
    The Zen of CSS Design(c) Visual Enlightenment for the Web
    ISBN: N/A
    EAN: N/A
    Year: 2005
    Pages: 117

    flylib.com © 2008-2017.
    If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net