For a while now, I’ve been keeping an eye on CSS Zen Garden. What is, in this context, essentially a leveling of the web design playing field has become quite attractive not only as a creative outlet but as a technical challenge as well.
I won’t get into why I think this is a necessary step for myself to take, rather I’ll put this post into place as an incentive to set aside the time and put the effort in to get it done.
Here’s the basic idea from csszengarden.com:
There is clearly a need for CSS to be taken seriously by graphic artists. The Zen Garden aims to excite, inspire, and encourage participation. To begin, view some of the existing designs in the list. Clicking on any one will load the style sheet into this very page. The code remains the same, the only thing that has changed is the external .css file. Yes, really.CSS allows complete and total control over the style of a hypertext document. The only way this can be illustrated in a way that gets people excited is by demonstrating what it can truly be, once the reins are placed in the hands of those able to create beauty from structure. To date, most examples of neat tricks and hacks have been demonstrated by structurists and coders. Designers have yet to make their mark. This needs to change.
As stated in the quote, you’re given an HTML and a CSS file, and you’re only allowed to edit the CSS file. You can use it to insert images, fonts, and design elements, with the intention being to show how powerful CSS is.
So, staring into a weekend where A. will be at work most of the time and my holiday shopping nearly done–it’s usually performed primarily on xmas eve–I’m going to take the first steps in the project. Hopefully once it’s done it’ll make it on the garden, but there’s no guarantee.
For some finished projects by others, please visit: CSS Zen Garden
