The Overlap

In this episode we cover CSS Grid, a new layout tool for the web. When it comes to positioning elements on the web, CSS Grid marks a huge step forward for developers. It's easy to learn, with lots of parallels with the grid in other design practices so designers will love it too. And hey, quit using table elements to create your layouts! Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost Follow the show @overlappod For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com Resources Rachel Andrew's Grid by Example: https://gridbyexample.com/patterns/ on twitter @rachelandrew https://css-tricks.com/snippets/css/css-grid-starter-layouts/ https://css-tricks.com/snippets/css/complete-guide-grid/ https://twitter.com/jensimmons https://alistapart.com/article/the-story-of-css-grid-from-its-creators/ Webflow's Grid Tool: https://webflow.com/grid Sarah Drasner's CSS Grid Generator: https://cssgrid-generator.netlify.com/ CSS Grid Courses Wes Bos' free course https://cssgrid.io/ Free Code Camp's Video course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6CBKf8K_Ac

Design and development can get messy. Real messy. Downloads folder messy. On this episode, we talk about how to manage the mess and make it easier to collaborate with other people. Elle also realizes just how far-reaching her obsessive compulsive tendencies can go. Whether you work alone or with a team, keeping your files tidy and logically organized can save you a LOT of headaches. Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost Follow the show @overlappod For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com

What is UX? An intro to User Experience (No, UX is not UI) What is User Experience? How is it different from User Interface design? What if all buttons were now alpacas? In this episode, we introduce the field of UX design and some of the basic principles you should know to design and develop great experiences. We discuss the fundamentals of good UX: Usability, accessibility, desirability, findability, credibility, the importance of following established patterns...and when to break the rules. Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com Resources https://lawsofux.com/ https://theblog.adobe.com/15-rules-every-ux-designer-know/ https://uxplanet.org/golden-rules-of-user-interface-design-19282aeb06b https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/user-experience.html https://www.interaction-design.org/literature Aesthetic usability effect: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/aesthetic-usability-effect/ Design thinking: https://www.atlassian.com/team-playbook/plays Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Think-Revisited-Usability/dp/0321965515/

Static Site Generators are way cooler than they sound! Learn about the coolest way to build a fast website and save your money. Plus, we talk about Alex's new rug in everyone's favorite podcast game: Guess The Rug. Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com Resources: Gatsby: https://www.gatsbyjs.org/ Hugo: https://gohugo.io/ Jekyll: https://jekyllrb.com/ StaticGen: https://www.staticgen.com/ Gatsby with Airtable (Not the best, most effective CMS for blogs, but still cool: https://www.gatsbyjs.org/packages/gatsby-source-airtable/

Show notes: Typography: so hip right now, but what is it? This week, we are talking type. It's more than just clickity clackity typey typey onto your keyboard. It's part science, part art, part dumb jokes about fonts. Join us for our spooky typography party! Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com Resources: Font pairing: https://fonts.google.com/featured/Five+Fresh+Headline+and+Body+Text+Pairings https://www.typewolf.com/ Chiller: https://fontzone.net/font-details/chiller Criteria: https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/visual-audio-contrast-contrast.html Tool: https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/https://material.io/design/typography/understanding-typography.html Vertical Rhythm: http://typecast.com/blog/4-simple-steps-to-vertical-rhythm Framer: https://www.framer.com

Creative briefs, design briefs, brand briefs, project briefs...whatever you want to call it, the goal is always the same: Successful design + development projects. On this episode, we talk about the creative brief, an essential document that can position you as an expert and help you get buy-in from your client at the beginning of a project. Kicking off a new project? Try using a creative brief to guide your conversation and ask your client the right questions. Creative briefs can be used for any collaborative creative work and are a great project management tool. Resources Building an Effective Creative Brief Template: https://www.wrike.com/blog/creative-brief-template-elements-effective-brief/ How to write an effective design brief: examples and a free template to get you started: https://www.canva.com/learn/effective-design-brief/

One thing that can set creatives apart is their ability to focus. The developer or designer who can focus with full energy on one task at a time will be able to get through difficult problems faster and more effectively than their unfocused colleagues. On this episode, we talk about how to find focus and avoid distractions to help you get things done. Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com Resources: Pomodoro method https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique Gretchen Rubin "Power hour" https://gretchenrubin.com/ Cold Turkey https://getcoldturkey.com/ Forest app https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/forest-stay-focused/id866450515?mt=8 Insight timerhttps://twitter.com/InsightTimer River with leaves https://www.google.com/search?q=river+with+leaves

Jason Lengstorf is an advocate, engineer, and sometimes designer. As "Human Duct Tape", Jason tells us about the little-bit-of-everything he does at Gatsby. On this episode, we talk to Jason about what's new with Gatsby (Themes! Preview beta!), building a positive open-source community, how to connect technology to build awesome stuff, and how important it is to fully disconnect from the day job to stay creative. Want to hear more from Jason? You can catch him on May 6th at Gatsby Days in NYC. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gatsby-days-nyc-tickets-59556433897 You can find him on Twitter @jlengstorf or catch on Thursday mornings on Learn with Jason at 9AM PST on https://twitch.tv/jlengstorf https://github.com/jlengstorf Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com

Show Notes On this episode Alex teaches Elle about the JavaScript library React. Developers use React to create apps and websites, and it’s great for designers to be familiar with. We introduce the big concepts of React along with its purpose and guiding principles. We talk about how easy it is to pick up, and give you some great places to go next to learn React. Create a New React App“Create React App”Add it to an existing HTML siteOfficial React tutorialFreeCodeCampWesBos.comATrost.comAnd many moreQuestions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com

Print's not dead! On this episode, we talk about why color looks different on screen and on paper, how best to handle a document for print, tips on handling fonts, and the difference between Adobe Illustrator and Indesign. If you're a developer, being able to order print can help you deepen existing client partnerships and land new projects. If you're new to print design, we've got some helpful hints on how to navigate the jargon-filled world of print. Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com Resources: Online print vendors: smartpress.com + stationeryhq.com Local Philadelphia Printers: http://www.expresswayprinting.com/ + https://perfectcommunications.com/ Online InDesign classes: @paperandoats

Have you ever wondered what to charge a client for design or development work? On our first episode, we discuss different pricing structures, why it's important not to undermine others in the creative industry, and how to articulate the value of design to your clients. Questions? Email us theoverlappodcast@gmail.com Tweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrost For more episodes + show notes, visit overlappodcast.com Resources: https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/career-change/pricing-freelancer/ The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007S2UQAW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Freelance Design in Practice https://www.amazon.com/Freelance-Design-Practice-Cathy-Fishel/dp/1600613020/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=freelance+design+in+practice&qid=1552959045&s=digital-text&sr=8-1 Elle's accounting app: www.waveapps.com

This is just a preview of what is to come! The Overlap Podcast will be launching March 19th so make sure you subscribe in your podcast player of choice. Also check out our website for more info and links to subscribe with your favorite podcast players. https://www.overlappodcast.com