Dynamic Selectors

When creating a new CSS library or framework, developers typically take one of two approaches with component naming: the Bootstrap approach or the jQueryUI approach. Bootstrap tries to be as simple and basic as possible, calling a component exactly what it is. If something is a tooltip, why … [more]

Defending Presentational Class Names

Recently, Codrops, an online web design and development blog, published an article I wrote for them entitled: Defending Presentational Class Names. In the article I discuss the use of presentational classes, why we've historically avoided them, and how perhaps some situations might warrant their use today. I hope … [more]

The Future of OOCSS: A Proposal

In CSS we often code the same visual components over and over again — even within the same project. It's embarrassing how many separate times in my career I've coded a two-column layout, or tabbed navigation, or a dropdown menu, or a popup (and the list goes on). To deal … [more]

What No One Told You About Z-Index

The problem with z-index is that very few people understand how it really works. It's not complicated, but it if you've never taken the time to read its specification, there are almost certainly crucial aspects that you're completely unaware of. Don't believe me? Well, see if you can solve this … [more]

CSS Architecture

To many Web developers, being good at CSS means you can take a visual mock-up and replicate it perfectly in code. You don’t use tables, and you pride yourself on using as few images as possible. If you’re really good, you use the latest and greatest techniques like media queries, transitions and transforms … [more]