April 15, 2014

“SMART DESIGN – Icon Fonts, SVG, and the Mobile Influence” at WCATL and upcoming WCCHI

I was so thrilled to be able to speak at WordCamp Atlanta March 14-15, 2014. I not only gave a talk on Smart Design, but also to the Kids Program on ”Design Basics: CSS, Typography, & Theming”, as well as guest starred on “Cain & Obenland In The Morning.” WCATL was such a fun camp, and I am looking forward to WordCamp Chicago June 13-15!

"SMART DESIGN - Icon Fonts, SVG, and the Mobile Influence"

Fast, simple, SMART. Mobile devices have forever changed the way we interact with content. Now we have to consider many things such as HiDPI graphics, responsive design, speed, UI/UX patterns, touch target sizes, gestures, and more. All while not losing track of what’s important: Content.

We’re going to discuss the influence of mobile on design trends and learn implementation techniques of smart design such as icon fonts, svg, and other helpful tips.

January 17, 2013

Speaking at WordCamp Phoenix

I'm thrilled to be giving my third talk at WordCamp Phoenix! I've grown to love Chandler and WCPHX over the years and all the amazing talented speakers. My talk is titled:

"Designer vs Developer - Creators in WordPress"

This talk will explore myths & preconceptions about roles.. When we push these boundaries, we can achieve greater things. If you understand what you're trying to accomplish both technically and visually, you will have fantastic a outcome.

We'll touch on "crossover"(golden unicorn) topics such as UI, UX, trusting instincts, user testing, wire framing, information architecture, front end structure, and form.

WordPress is a great place to put this into practice: as its a perfect environment for leaning php,css, but also its surrounding community support helps us achieve greatness.

hope you can make it!

 Update: Here are my slides:

betheunicorn.070

August 9, 2012

“Designing for the Modern Web” session at WordCamp San Francisco 2012

I was so thrilled to give a talk at WordCamp San Francisco this past weekend! My talk was on "Designing for the Modern Web" - Which in essence was a talk about designing for HiDPI. Check out my Slides & Description:

Devices that consume the web are being created at a never-before heard of rate.  They’re getting smaller, lighter, faster, sharper, and sexier.  Life is awesome right?  But what about us web designers?

Let’s talk about how to get the best possible ratio of speed vs awesome, and what techniques to use for fast and stunning visual experiences.

I'll post the video whenever they have it up. All in all it was a fantastic weekend. I learned a ton from the other fabulous speakers, and the other attendees. Can't wait for next year.

November 15, 2011

Speaking at WordCamp Las Vegas December 17th

WordCamp Las Vegas is December 17th. I'm so excited to be able to go and speak there!  I can't wait! If you're going, please say hi. :) My topic is TBD but I'll let y'all know soon.

sara

September 1, 2011

Video: My Responsive Web Design talk at WordCamp San Francisco

Here's the video recording of my talk at WordCamp San Francisco that I gave on Responsive Web Design. Lots of talk about Twenty Eleven, WordPress, and Media Queries. Enjoy!

July 31, 2011

Speaking at WordCamp San Francisco on Responsive Web Design

I'm speaking at WordCamp San Francisco 2011!I have have been given the great opportunity to speak this year at WordCamp San Francisco! I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to be amongst the lineup of speakers at that conference. Let me know if you're going and I'll be sure to say hi! My session will be on "Responsive Web Design" and WordPress. Here's a semi-unofficial blurb about the talk.

Your site is about your content. With mobile devices, iPads, phones, gaming consols, etc: people can access your content many different ways and formats. How can we maintain some control over the display of our content and keep our brand consistent? How can we try to provide the best user experience on any platform?

Enter Responsive Web Design. A term coined by Ethan Marcotte. Many experts aren't leaning on one static design anymore, but on structured content that adapts to its given environment.
We are going to take a look at responsive web design techniques out there including: progressive enhancement, flexible grids, media queries, flexible images & video, & other methods that you can implement to make your WordPress theme "Responsive".
This talk is particularly important to me, as I will be leading a responsive admin effort in contributing to WordPress core. Follow and Contribute: Make.WordPress.org/UI . Are you going to WordCamp San Francisco this year?

July 24, 2011

WordCamp Boston: “Theming and Mobile: Optimizing your site for various devices”

WordCamp Boston has been incredible. I was thrilled to give a talk on "Theming and Mobile" with an emphasis on Responsive Web Design. The presentation is sort of a pre-cursor to my full "Responsive Web Design" talk that I'm thrilled and humbled to be giving at WordCamp San Francisco. Here is the description and slides of the talk that I gave yesterday at WC Boston:

Your site is about your content. How do we optimize for all the different devices out there but still keep our brand? Do we even optimize at all? What are different ways we can look at how our content is handled? We are going to take a look at different techniques out there including: responsive web design, media queries, dealing with video, touch, and other various plugins & CSS tricks to truly display your site and your content in the best possible manner in any given scenario.

 

June 5, 2011

Presentation: “Typography on the Web” at WordCamp Reno

WordCamp Reno has been a blast so far. All the people here are really awesome. Here are my slides from the presentation I gave on "Typography on the Web." WCReno also recorded all the sessions, I'll post the video from WordCamp TV whenever it goes up.

February 1, 2011

CSS at WordCamp Phoenix

I had a blast at WordCamp Phoenix this year! Here are my slides from my talk:

I cant wait to go next year. The town of Chandler was incredible and all the people there were so awesome and talented. Just being around everyone was so inspiring! Check out other speaker's slides here.

January 12, 2011

2010 – the year of WordPress

2010 has been an incredible year. It had its ups and downs. some parts were really hard and others just joyous! I've met some incredible people this year and got plugged into a great community that surrounds the very platform that this blog (and my livelihood) is based on: WordPress. Its been quite the journey. I've stumbled into great opportunities that led me to go many places and meet many new friends.

1/8-9 - WordCamp Atlanta

(Post on my talk: WordPress and Your Brand)

5/1-2 - WordCamp San Francisco

(I just went to this one: Recap Post1, Post2)

8/20-22 - WordCamp Savannah

(Post on my talk: Customizing WordPress themes / Child Themes)

9/18-19 - WordCamp Birmingham

(Post on my talk: Beyond the System Font: Advanced Web Typography) Other Post

10/16-17 - WordCamp NYC

(Post on my talk: Typography and Your Theme)

In conclusion: 2010 rocked my WordPress world. Thank you to everyone who has mentored me and guided me in the word of WordPress. And, absolute special thanks to those who contribute in any way to the release and improvement of this incredible software. - sara

Sara Cannon is a UX/UI Designer, Former Business Owner, Creative Director, & Artist remote working in Birmingham, Alabama. 
Have a project I could help you with? Contact me at sara@saracannon.com.

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