CSS3 offers new possibilities for web designers

From a web designer’s perspective, the upcoming CSS3 specification looks quite promising.  Despite the fact that some new features are not widely supported by the big browsers, it will provide some joy for those who have continued waiting patiently for viable, code-based alternatives to heavy graphical page layouts.

Some nice aesthetic improvements to watch out for will be:

• Transparency/alpha channels
  Put your plethora of PNG files away, folks – CSS3 now provides the ability to specify a transparency value for CSS elements.
• Custom web fonts
  Sick of being restricted to system fonts? Well, CSS3 looks set to improve the range of fonts available.  How will it do this?  By providing access to a set of additional fonts which are sourced from an online directory.
• Curved borders
  For those who are tired of using graphics for radiused edges in their interface designs, CSS3 provides the option for radiused borders which can even be customised for each individual corner of an element. 

Let’s hope that the browser fraternity comes to the party by supporting these enhancements.

Rob

Inspiring interface designs

While there’s an ever-increasing focus on web usability and accessibility in today’s web design, it’s great to see web designers splashing out and producing graphically-rich, beautifully composed web interfaces.

Of course, we know it’s technically possible – with perseverance in some cases - to produce well-coded interfaces that are also visually rich and beautiful; but it’s not always the done thing, even today. In essence, this is why I find it impressive when designers do make an effort to make their web interfaces compliant and inspiring.

To that end, I wanted to share a link with you, provided by Russ from the Web Standards Group. It is an online showcase of the latest web interface design trends for 2008, compiled and hosted at www.webdesignerwall.com. It features some very colourful and vibrant designs which is encouraging to see, and hints at a possible ‘retro-lution’ just around the corner.

Check it out: http://www.webdesignerwall.com/trends/2008-design-trends/ 

Personally, I find myself currently gravitating towards the ‘handwritten notepad’ styles.  Which designs do you fancy?

Rob