There may be a tremendous neighborhood effort taking place in the hunt for a brand new brand for CSS. I used to be a bit skeptical at first, as I by no means actually thought-about CSS a “model.” Why does it want a brand? For starters, the present brand appears… a bit dated.
Displayed fairly prominently is the quantity 3. As in CSS model 3, or just CSS3. Relying in your IDE’s chosen icon pack of alternative, CSS file icons are sometimes solely the quantity 3.
To present an extremely glossed-over historical past of CSS3:
Earliest draft specification was in 1999!
Adoption started in 2011, when it was revealed because the W3C Suggestion.
It’s been used ever since? That may’t be proper…
CSS is actually not caught in 2011. Check out all of the options added to CSS prior to now 5 years (warning, scrolling animation forward):
(Courtesy of Alex Riviere)
Looks as if this stems primarily from the discontinuation of model numbering for CSS. As of late, we principally reference newer CSS options by their particular person specification degree, reminiscent of Selectors Stage 4 being the present Selectors specification, for instance.
A much more basic commentary on the “progress” of CSS may very well be having a look at options being applied — issues like Caniuse and Baseline are nice for seeing when sure browsers applied sure options. Equally, the Interop Venture is a bunch consisting of browsers determining what to implement subsequent.
There are ongoing discussions concerning the “eras” of CSS, although, and the way these could also be a approach of framing the best way we seek advice from CSS options.
Chris posted about CSS4 right here on CSS-Methods (5 years in the past!), discussing how profitable CSS3 was from a advertising and marketing perspective. Jen Simmons additionally began a dialogue again in 2020 on the CSS Working Group’s GitHub about defining CSS4. Figuring out that, are you no less than considerably stunned that we’ve blown proper by CSS4 and are technically utilizing CSS5?
The CSS-Subsequent Group Group is main the cost right here, one thing that member Brecht de Ruyte launched earlier this 12 months at Smashing Journal. The aim of this group is to, nicely, decide what’s subsequent for CSS! The group defines the CSS variations as:
CSS3 (~2009-2012): Stage 3 CSS specs as outlined by the CSSWG
CSS4 (~2013-2018): Important options that weren’t a part of CSS3, however are already a basic a part of CSS.
CSS5 (~2019-2024): Newer options whose adoption is steadily rising.
CSS6 (~2025+): Early-stage options which can be deliberate for future CSS.
Take a look at this slide deck from November 2023 detailing the necessity for outlining stronger versioning. Their objectives are clear for my part:
Assist builders study CSS.
Assist educators train CSS.
Assist employers outline fashionable net skil…
Assist the neighborhood perceive the development of CSS capabilities over time.
Circling again round to the emblem, I’ve to agree: Sure, it’s time for a change.
Again in August, Adam Argyle opened a difficulty on the CSS-Subsequent challenge on GitHub to drum up concepts. The thread is lively and ongoing, although seems to be honing in on a launch candidate. Let’s check out some proposals!
Nils Binder, from 9elements, proposed this pretty design, riffing on the “cascade.” Word the river-like “S” form flowing by the design.
Chris Kirk-Nielson pitched a neat interactive brand idea he put collectively some time again. The suggestion performs into the “CSS is Superior” meme, the place the content material overflows the wrapper. Whereas playful and recognizable, Nils raised a superb level:
Relating to the reference to the ‘CSS IS AWESOME’ meme, I initially chuckled, after all. Nonetheless, on the identical time, the meme additionally represents CSS as one thing quirky, unpredictable, and stuffed with bugs. I’m unsure if that’s the precise message that must be repeated within the brand. It feels prefer it reinforces the recurring ‘CSS is damaged’ mantra. To magnify: CSS is subordinate to JS and one way or the other damaged.
Wow, is that this the tip of an period for the acquainted meme?
It’s trying that approach, as the present candidate builds off of Javi Aguilar’s proposal. Javi’s design is being iterated upon by the group, it’s shaping up and appears nice hanging with associates:
Javi describes the design concerns within the thread. Personally, I’m a fan of the colour alternative, and the softer form differentiates it from the extra inflexible JavaScript and Typescript logos.
As talked about, the dialogue is ongoing and the design is actively being labored on. You possibly can take a look at the newest variations in Adam’s CodePen demo:
Or if testing design recordsdata is extra your velocity, have a look in Figma.
I believe the factor that impresses me most about neighborhood initiatives like that is the collaboration concerned. In case you have opinions on the design of the emblem, be happy to chime in on the dialogue thread!
As soon as the variations are outlined and the emblem finalized, the one factor left to resolve on can be a mascot for CSS. A chameleon? A peacock? I’m positive the neighborhood will select properly.
Looking for a New CSS Brand initially revealed on CSS-Methods, which is a part of the DigitalOcean household. You need to get the publication.
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