/CSS/ Create snippets and boilerplates
14/09/2007 | Filed under Develop > CSS
Craig Grannell shows you how to speed up your web design and hand-coding by creating template documents that can be reused on new projects
Have you ever stopped to consider how, every time you work on a new site, you could speed things up by creating boilerplate documents as a starting point? This issue, I’m going to explore the part of my brain that houses how I get my own projects off to a running start, enabling you to have the same advantage and save time in the process. So, let’s dive straight in.
Every website is different – even nasty, evil “clone” sites aren’t identical to the sites they’re ripping off. However, tear off a site’s “skin” and you’ll find that many elements are shared. It’s likely that in the early stages of projects, you’re often doing the same things time and time again, which makes no sense at all.
About the author:
Name: Graig Grannell
Site: www.snubcommunications.com
Areas of expertise: Information architecture, site concepts, graphics, interface and front-end design
Clients: Swim~, Rebellion, IDG
Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere without web!
Click here to download the support files
Click here to download tutorial PDF
Bookmark with:
Comments
Adrian / 03/10/2007 / 05:03 / http://www.pctd.co.uk
Really great idea and a time saver indeed! Thanks - this should help save alot of time on my part.
joseph / 13/03/2008 / 22:42 / http://www.honestworkers.com
"Every website is different – even nasty, evil “clone” sites aren’t identical to the sites they’re ripping off. However, tear off a site’s “skin” and you’ll find that many elements are shared. It’s likely that in the early stages of projects, you’re often doing the same things time and time again, which makes no sense at al l"
I totally agree Its a hard slog no matter how small the project of the website is
Jason / 26/06/2008 / 01:04 / http://www.furociousdesign.com/
this is a great time saver... I'm always looking for ways to cut down on project time, and this is really helpful so thanks!
Plushpod / 25/07/2008 / 22:44 / http://www.plushpod.com/
This totally makes sense. You have to have your go to code ready for designing sites quicker, and more efficiently.... If you already have a diagram of what works, there is no reason to start from scratch when it can be easily modified to become unique.
Jay / 04/08/2008 / 20:23 / http://www.specialtydoors.com/
This is very true, and although I'm not a great designer I have found that it's much easier to dive into a project when you have something to work off of. I have 3 main templates that I start from, and customize the site from there.... it does save a ton of time.
Tim / 20/09/2008 / 10:40 / http://www.designbits.de
Wow, I love that. It really does save me plenty of time. Very useful!
Kirie / 12/07/2010 / 22:23 / http://www.renewalbyandersen.com/
Definitely a great time saver. There is a certain "framework" template that you can develop and use on multiple sites with addition of additional customized CSS and related coding. No sense in "re-inventing the wheel" so to speak. Thanks for the useful tip!
