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 ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFollow the show @overlappodFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.comResourcesRachel Andrew's Grid by Example: https://gridbyexample.com/patterns/ on twitter @rachelandrewhttps://css-tricks.com/snippets/css/css-grid-starter-layouts/https://css-tricks.com/snippets/css/complete-guide-grid/https://twitter.com/jensimmonshttps://alistapart.com/article/the-story-of-css-grid-from-its-creators/Webflow's Grid Tool: https://webflow.com/gridSarah Drasner's CSS Grid Generator: https://cssgrid-generator.netlify.com/CSS Grid CoursesWes 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 ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFollow the show @overlappodFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.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 ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.comResourceshttps://lawsofux.com/https://theblog.adobe.com/15-rules-every-ux-designer-know/https://uxplanet.org/golden-rules-of-user-interface-design-19282aeb06bhttps://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/user-experience.htmlhttps://www.interaction-design.org/literatureAesthetic usability effect: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/aesthetic-usability-effect/Design thinking: https://www.atlassian.com/team-playbook/playsDon'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 ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.comResources: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 ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.comResources:Font pairing:https://fonts.google.com/featured/Five+Fresh+Headline+and+Body+Text+Pairingshttps://www.typewolf.com/Chiller: https://fontzone.net/font-details/chillerCriteria: https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/visual-audio-contrast-contrast.htmlTool: https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/https://material.io/design/typography/understanding-typography.htmlVertical Rhythm:http://typecast.com/blog/4-simple-steps-to-vertical-rhythmFramer: 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. ResourcesBuilding 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 ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.comResources:Pomodoro method https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-techniqueGretchen 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/InsightTimerRiver 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-59556433897You can find him on Twitter @jlengstorf or catch on Thursday mornings on Learn with Jason at 9AM PST on https://twitch.tv/jlengstorfhttps://github.com/jlengstorfQuestions? Email ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.com

Show NotesOn 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.What is ReactYou tell React what you want to show on the UI and React figures out the fastest way to achieve itReact is Super FastReact can be whole site or one partJSXComponents Sections of reusable code Either a piece of the UI, a piece that adds functionality, or both Less code written, easier to maintain When to create a component Nesting Components Props and State (Data)Event HandlingRoutingLifecycle MethodsSetup Options  Create a New React App  “Create React App”  Add it to an existing HTML site How To Learn Official React tutorial FreeCodeCamp WesBos.com React Native (Mobile)Who uses React? Facebook Instagram Netflix Reddit New York Times Khan Academy Dropbox AirBnB Trello Fiverr Asana  ATrost.com  (Shameless Plug)  And many more Questions? Email ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.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 ustheoverlappodcast@gmail.comTweet us @lovelettersco or @mistertrostFor more episodes + show notes, visitoverlappodcast.comResources:Online print vendors: smartpress.com + stationeryhq.comLocal 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=1Freelance 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=8-1Elle'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