Yellowlane

Convergence of Style and Structure

Convergence of Style and Structure

Convergence of Style and Structure

16 Oct 2003 — 1 Comments

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of separating structure from design when creating a web site. Once again, this allows us the joyous benefit of being able to update a site's design without changing the HTML structure itself. Of course, it also works the other way as well, encouraging us to edit and update site structure (and content) without fear of killing the design.

One must wonder though, just how much can you accomplish with a CSS-based design? As designers, we've become so accustomed to table-based, "killer website" eye-candy that we begin shaking our heads in disgust when confronted with the bleak appeal of web-standards and usability.

However, truth be told, we've only begun to realize the power of design on the web. While many early examples of sites designed with CSS will bring to mind your last visit to the doctor, more and more brilliant examples of CSS at work are beginning to emerge. While smaller sites have been the first to move into the fresh water, a number of big corporate ships are beginning to turn as well.

While there is still (and will doubtless always be) disparity from browser to browser, CSS allows the designer a level of control not ever experienced using a table-based layout. And you'll use half the code getting it done.

I am thrilled thus far with the latest makeover of Yellowlane, and not a single table is used to create this layout. It's terribly easy to change or modify design elements, images, icons, and text. The best current example of the power and beauty of CSS is Dave Shea's CSS Zen Garden.

The site consists of a single XHTML document that is instantly (and quite beautifully) altered simply by switching the style-sheet associated with it. Dead or Alive, Golden Mean, and si6 are brilliant examples of cutting-edge CSS design at work.

CSS is the future of web design, and I'm excited to see where it takes us.