Ben Myers guides Anthony Campolo through creating customizable HTML/CSS-based social media cards for promoting streams, showcasing a unique alternative to image editing software.
Episode Summary
In this inaugural episode of “AJC and the Web Devs,” host Anthony Campolo welcomes Ben Myers to discuss and implement a novel approach to creating social media share cards for promoting streams. Ben demonstrates how to use HTML and CSS to build customizable, reusable templates for these cards, offering an alternative to traditional image editing software or services like Cloudinary. The duo walks through the process of setting up a basic HTML structure, styling it with CSS, and implementing features like background patterns and gradients. They discuss the benefits of this approach, including version control capabilities and easy integration with static site generators like Eleventy. The episode highlights the importance of creating visually appealing, professional-looking share cards to represent guests and streams effectively, while also touching on broader themes of web development workflows and the value of starting with core web technologies.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Overview
Ben Myers joins Anthony Campolo for the first episode of “AJC and the Web Devs.” They discuss the significance of having a dedicated streaming platform and the value it brings in terms of networking and learning opportunities. Ben shares his experience with his own stream, Semantics, and how it has helped him connect with industry professionals. The conversation touches on the importance of starting small when beginning a streaming journey, focusing on essential elements like webcam, microphone, and screen sharing before adding more complex features.
02:56 - Exploring Social Share Cards
The main topic of the episode is introduced: creating social share cards for promoting streams. Ben explains his unique approach of using HTML and CSS to generate these cards, as opposed to using image editing software or services like Cloudinary. They discuss the benefits of this method, including ease of customization and integration with web development workflows. Anthony expresses interest in adopting this technique for his own streaming needs, recognizing its potential to streamline his promotional efforts.
09:27 - Setting Up the HTML and CSS Structure
Ben guides Anthony through the process of setting up a basic HTML and CSS structure for the social share card. They clone a template repository and begin customizing it for Anthony’s needs. The duo discusses various aspects of the design, including background colors, gradients, and text placement. They experiment with different CSS properties to achieve the desired look, demonstrating the flexibility of this approach compared to traditional image editing methods.
25:53 - Customizing the Background and Layout
The focus shifts to refining the background of the social share card. Ben introduces the concept of using SVG patterns and gradients to create visually interesting yet unobtrusive backgrounds. They explore different options from the Hero Patterns website and implement a topographic pattern. The discussion covers the importance of balancing visual appeal with readability, ensuring that the text and guest information remain prominent on the card.
41:26 - Fine-tuning Design Elements
Ben and Anthony work on adjusting various design elements to improve the overall look of the social share card. They discuss font sizes, avatar placement, and color contrasts. The process demonstrates the iterative nature of design work and the advantages of using web technologies for quick adjustments. They also touch on the potential for integrating this workflow with static site generators like Eleventy for even greater efficiency.
57:03 - Integration with Eleventy and Workflow Improvements
Ben showcases how he has integrated the social share card generation process into his Eleventy-based workflow. He demonstrates how using front matter and data files can automate much of the card creation process, pulling in guest information and avatars dynamically. This section highlights the potential for scaling and improving the workflow as one becomes more comfortable with the basic technique.
62:11 - Conclusion and Future Episodes
The episode wraps up with Anthony thanking Ben for his insights and announcing the next guest, Ryan Carniato, who will discuss Solid.js. Ben shares where viewers can find him online and offers his assistance to anyone interested in starting their own streaming journey. The hosts reflect on the success of the first episode and express excitement for future content.