SpyreStudios

Web Design and Development Magazine

Archives for December 2011

31 Fantastic New jQuery Plugins for Web Developers

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jQuery has dramatically changed the way we view frontend scripting. JavaScript was always a popular language even during the 1990s. But in the new millennium web developers have been smart and observed the programming trend titled abstraction. This is a technique where you save time building features upon others’ code libraries – jQuery being one of the most advanced.

In just the past 2 years web developers have released dozens of free jQuery plugins to the Internet. If you’ve kept up with the community there’s no doubt you’ve run into a few helpful scripts. But if you’re just getting started you’re likely still interested in these topics! Check out my gallery of jQuery plug-ins and be sure to leave your thoughts/questions in the post discussion area.

Moasic Sliding Boxes

22 Memorable Podcasts Focused on Web Design

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If you’re as focused on design as I am then the learning process is far from over! We are constantly looking for the latest trends and techniques to pick up and implement into modern design layouts. And what a better way to keep up with trends than listening to podcasts?

I’ve put together 22 of my personal favorite audio streams which are all free downloads in iTunes. Subscribing to Podcasts is a great way of keeping up with new information circulating around the design community. You’ll learn new topics such as frontend development, Photoshop works, building vector art, and a whole slew of categories! If you have suggestions for other Podcasts not listed here please share any links in the discussion area below.

Think Vitamin Radio

How to Style iOS Sliding Checkboxes with jQuery

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With so much hype surrounding the new iPhone 4S release we’ve seen a lot more iOS app development hitting the mainstream. As such their techniques in design and user interfaces are sure to trickle out among the mass of web designers. In this case I’d like to spend some time examining the iOS slider switches common since early iOS 4.

This tutorial is a straightforward walkthrough about how to implement and work with these inputs. Through jQuery we can dynamically create a hidden input field which holds the checked/unchecked position of the slider bar. In my demo we’ve created a mockup settings page which mirrors the current switch value openly in the form.

featured image - iOS sliding check boxes demo screenshot

28 Brilliant Form Layouts in User Interface Design

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Designers have been transforming the user experience of web forms for over a decade. Input forms are great for personal contact, user registration, profile settings, plus a whole lot more. They are essential in mostly all websites.

In the gallery below I have put together 28 inspirational form layouts to maximize user experience. Professional designers have come up with trendy solutions to even the most complex forms. Gathering data from your visitors can be very difficult at times. But starting with an easy form template can grease the wheels for more conversions.

Greenjob