Month: January 2013

Create an image map without flash

Posted on by djbrensinger

An image map is an image with specific clickable areas. You may create a map where you can click on city names or even states that goes to specific pages or displays additional information. The simplest way to create an image map is to use HTML. You can use a tool like Dreamweaver to define the coordinates of each clickable area.

US Country MapAn image map with special effects requires more than HTML. In the past, you could achieve certain effects with flash. Now, you can use jQuery to build what you needed to use Flash for. The jQuery plugin called ImageMapster helps you to make HTML images without Flash. It works on modern web browsers and mobile devices. With ImageMapster, you can highlight and select areas on your map, create special effects, show floating tool tips and more.

Using Imagemapster

To use Imagemapster, you need to do the following:

  • Download the jQuery plugin and include it in your page.
  • Create an image map and add to your page.
  • Apply the Imagemapster code.
  • Add the special effects that you want to include.
  • Write additional code to include additional functionality.
  • Test your image map.

Imagemapster has demos and documentation that provides more details on how to use this plugin.

5 Design Articles to Start The New Year With

Posted on by djbrensinger

Computer with codeAs you start 2013, you can begin by making the perfect portfolio, charging for your expertise, plan out your next huge web project and learning new design tips and patterns.

  1. Web Designers and Developers need a portfolio that shows what you can do. You can focus on niche projects or display the range of your abilities. If you need a portfolio or looking to freshen yours up, look at Make the Perfect Portfolio.
  2. So You’re Going to Start a New Huge Web Project helps you to think about including mobile in your design and using version control. Every web project is different but you’ll need to look at things like design, code, content and your CMS.
  3. Developers can learn how make their projects look better by learning about these 5 design tips. By using these 5 tips, you can take your design from ugly to better looking. A better looking design can encourage more people to use your web site or app.
  4. When you start your next development project, you can use these Design Patterns For The Web to help you build a better user experience. Not every Design Pattern works for every project. These Design Patterns give you tools to make better decisions for your next project.
  5. You meet a new client and they ask for a Request For Proposal. You work very hard on it. Then, they tell you that they like your proposal but going to have someone else do it. In How To Reframe the RFP and Charge For Your Creative Expertise, you’ll learn how to get clients to pay for your expertise.