Thinking With Grid

A presentation at Generate 2019 in April 2019 in New York, NY, USA by Jen Simmons

CSS Grid revolutionizes how we create layouts on the web — but how exactly should we use it? When someone emails you a PDF, how do you know the best way to get started? Where should you use which code? How do you translate a static drawing into a dynamic layout? Having no idea what she’s about to do, Jen Simmons will live code a design from start to finish (or however close to finish she gets before time’s up). No net, no preparation. How does someone in the real world create a layout using the tools of Intrinsic Web Design?

Buzz and feedback

Here’s what was said about this presentation on social media.

I wrote up a retrospective of my experience at #generateconf. Big thank you once again to all of the speakers at @bigmediumjosh @jensimmons @Snugug @MiriSuzanne @sophiavux @adekunleoduye @antonandirene @aaroni https://t.co/20nloRThlK
— Tim McKenna (@AzraelGroup) April 26, 2019
Thank you @jensimmons, @brendamarienyc, @MiriSuzanne, @SondraEby, @sophiavux and all the other ladies I had the opportunity to hangout with and talk to because of #generateconf. I learned a lot and your feedback and outlook on the tech industry is invaluable.
— { Danyale C. Walker } (@DanyaleCWalker) April 26, 2019
What a great day @ #generateconf 2019. Btw closing keynote by @jensimmons and the future of web design (can't wait to use the new @firefox features) pic.twitter.com/PM51jK3qKv
— Inaki Juaniz-Velilla (@ijuanizvelilla) April 26, 2019
We were panicking but @jensimmons was as cool as a cucumber! Thanks so much for your brave, off-the-cuff demo!! So cool https://t.co/eGbP5i3Ypl
— David Taylor (@DavidTDesign) April 26, 2019
moment of truth: @jensimmons will now live-code the example @mirisuzanne, @sondraeby, and i picked yesterday 😄😈😄 #generateconf

recommended reading/design inspo for "self-taught mfa" students: editorial design by cath caldwell and yolanda zappaterra https://t.co/r7FV8Vlqio pic.twitter.com/XN02hGrUiz
— not the car (@halftes6) April 25, 2019
she wants non-css users to know this demo is for you, too; developing some understanding of css will help you design for the web more effectively ✨

key point: stop using javascript for layouts! it will slooooow yooouuur siiite doooownnn #generateconf pic.twitter.com/WVLqzb17V3
— not the car (@halftes6) April 25, 2019
nerdy bit that would probably fascinate no one but me: seeing the example's header's words (whew!) being broken up into individual divs similar to how they'd be individual text boxes in indesign #generateconf
— not the car (@halftes6) April 25, 2019
Thank you so much @jensimmons for the presentation about grids and subgrids. This was amazing! I cannot wait to develop more using them 😊 pic.twitter.com/RINwQWlF83
— John Rodrigues (@ProfJPRodrig) April 25, 2019
@jensimmons reassures us she always cleans up her syntax after the dust settles #generateconf pic.twitter.com/cX1RMC997s
— not the car (@halftes6) April 25, 2019
@jensimmons is out here raising my blood pressure with her live-coding a random image (without her seeing/knowing what she is going to building).#generateconf pic.twitter.com/TnDzcjt0Bx
— [Add-eh-koon-lay] (@adekunleoduye) April 25, 2019
Closing out the event @jensimmons is rocking an awesome live demo. #generateconf pic.twitter.com/gCEgb8LWgo
— A-A-Ron (@aaroni) April 25, 2019
Holy $#!+ balls @jensimmons is showing some super cool techniques and tricks with @FirefoxNightly schools. #generateconf pic.twitter.com/Zi2qeDSRbx
— Tim McKenna (@AzraelGroup) April 25, 2019
Love love love the cornerstone of #accessibility with @jensimmons in her demo here at #generateconf
— Tim McKenna (@AzraelGroup) April 25, 2019
The most badass @jensimmons going to blow our minds with how the web design has just changed the game! #generateconf pic.twitter.com/M2cOPnQjw6
— Tim McKenna (@AzraelGroup) April 25, 2019
@jensimmons thanks for being such a great explainer, and pushing all of us to rediscover delightful layouts and design esthetics. 💯
— Matthew McEachen (@mrm) April 25, 2019
Good luck!
This kind of presentation is the best ever! You learn so god damn much from seeing someone work through an actual problem. Almost doesn't matter if they manage to "solve" it or not.

(It's also why I loved @peepcode's awesome "Play-by-Play" episodes).
— Chriztian Steinmeier (@greystate) April 25, 2019