Catching Up

Today I finally got around to installing the Adobe Photoshop CS6 beta. Usually when I open a new version of Photoshop, there are a few things I hope to see. This time, to my surprise, they were there.

Today I also had a conversation with a coworker about SCSS and Compass. Both technologies extend the capabilities of CSS into a language that allows us to quickly do things that were repetitive before.

We are finally beginning to have the tools to do the things that we've been creating workarounds for. Ever since folks have been writing code and designing for the web, we've been pushing against the restrictions that the technology came with. Always faking things and creating hacks to get technology to behave the way we want.

As great as these new tools are, it's important to remember one thing: they are not going to make us better designs or developers.

These tools help us do our work faster, so we can focus on the important thing, crafting great user experiences. It's no secret that our time is better spent sketching out and working through ideas instead of selecting all the text boxes in a psd to try a new typeface.

Granted, these things are way late, but the tools we use are catching up and that's exciting.

Comments

Ethan Turkeltaub March 27, 2012

I just forgo Photoshop and go straight to web. I may sketch out my idea first, but I find it easier for me to get my ideas out while actually coding the site. If I have to create an image for a specific element, I may open up Gimp or just create it with CSS. But I don’t really find Photoshop conducive for web work.

Dave March 27, 2012

I do find myself spending less and less time in Photoshop, especially on personal projects. I’m still trying to figure out how that process works with client work though. The biggest benefit for me is being able to visualize a solution before I begin coding.

karen ann gallaty March 31, 2012

please put me BACK ON THE CALL LIST! I accidently took myself off! my name is karen and my # is (504) 315-0126. my email is goofytreehugger@yahoo.com.

Rob MacPherson April 03, 2012

Hello!  I accidentally put myself on the blacklist for “call my phone.” Please take me off the blacklist! My number is 937-434-5466. My email is beatlebootcamp@aol.com Also, please remove this posting after you add me back on the “call my phone” site. THANKS!

most people call me kev April 08, 2012

“call my phone” is awesome.  thank you for this simple, yet very useful tool.  be good!

Matt Thompson April 09, 2012

Hi Dave,

I am a graduating student at The New England Institute of Art. My portfolio class is in the midst of doing a networking assignment in which we gain feedback from the professional web community about their experiences in the field, and I was wondering if you would be willing to fill out a brief questionnaire (10 questions). Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Let me know and I can send you the file.

I can be reached at any of the email addresses that show up

P.S.  Incidentally, if you do decide to help please let me know an e-mail address I can send the file to. Hope to hear from you soon!

—
Matthew Thompson
User Experience Designer
617.981.2959

www.mjthomp.com
matt@mjthomp.com

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