Evolution of Guide Guide Plugin and Grid Creation Techniques

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This chapter traces the origin and evolution of the Guide Guide plugin used for design alignment and grid creation. It discusses the creation of a custom grid notation language and the development of a JavaScript parser for design alignment. The chapter also explores the intersection of creativity and automation in design processes, along with the challenges of using JavaScript in various design platforms.

Wes and Scott welcome Cameron McEfee, a seasoned creative director whose journey spans GitHub, Sentry.io, and the innovative realm of JavaScript plugins with his creation, GuideGuide. Cameron explores plugin building, iterating on the iconic Octocat for GitHub, and shedding light on the multifaceted roles of a creative director.

Show Notes

00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
01:06 Who is Cameron McEfee?
03:00 What does a Creative Director do?
09:47 In a creative and collaborative field, how do you deal with hurt feelings?
12:32 Experiences at GitHub (404/500 pages).
15:35 Who is responsible for all the Octocat variations?
GitHub Octodex
17:18 Did you ever get in trouble for using famous IP?
21:07 Working at Sentry.io.
25:08 What is your illustration process?
27:04 What is GuideGuide?
GuideGuide
Moo Tokenizer/Lexer
33:13 Grid Notation.
36:10 Can ‘good colors’ be calculated, can good design be math’d?
40:46 What was the process of building your own plugin?
43:37 Adding guides with JavaScript APIs.
44:44 Recreating application UIs within plugins.
GoodHertz
50:22 How are you architecting these plugins?
52:44 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs.