Posted at 02:07 PM in Design, Typography, Windows 8 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Looking for some Windows 8 design resources? Luckily Microsoft has provided designers and developers a plethora of information. Here are a few to get you started.
Posted at 11:29 AM in Design, Expression, Mobile, Windows 8, WPF | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Local Microsoft evangelist Dave Bost has a blog entry about Windows Phone 7 Boot Camps being held in various cities throughout Sept: http://davebost.com/blog/2010/08/31/windows-phone-7-boot-camp-training/
If you're interested in bringing your Silverlight or XNA skills to the Windows Phone platform, this is a great opportunity to learn more.
UPDATE 2: You can register for the Chicago events here and here.
Posted at 03:27 PM in Design, Expression, Microsoft, Mobile, RIA | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
There was a lot of buzz and a number of great announcements at last month's MIX10 event in Las Vegas, especially around Windows Phone 7 and one of its development platforms, Silverlight.
Register now and join The Chicago Silverlight Users Group this Wednesday, April 7th at 6pm where we'll review and discuss announcements and demo content from MIX10, including Windows Phone 7!
The Chicago Silverlight Users Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month and focuses on Microsoft Silverlight, WPF and XAML design and development.
If you have any questions or comments about The Chicago Silverlight Users Group, send an email to: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CT)
Location: The Illinois Technology Association, 200 S. Wacker Drive, 15th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
UPDATE: You can view all the videos and presentations from MIX10 here: http://live.visitmix.com/videos
Posted at 09:00 AM in Design, Expression, Inspiration, Microsoft, MIX, RIA, Silverlight, Web/Tech, Weblogs, WPF | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I was thrilled to discover last night that I have received my second Microsoft MVP Award for Expression Blend. This award is given to exceptional technical community leaders who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with others.
I spend a lot of time speaking and evangelizing Expression Blend, Silverlight and WPF with the design and technical communities and it's amazing for Microsoft to recognize these efforts. The way that Microsoft has opened itself up to designers is incredible. That they have provided game-changing tools for desingers to collaborate more effectively with developers is nothing short of amazing.
I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a great community.
Posted at 11:56 AM in Design, Expression, Inspiration, Microsoft, Silverlight, WPF | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
From the mailbag…
John B. of Chicago asks: I am a UI designer that is interested in exploring XAML, WPF and Silverlight. Is there a way I can leverage my current set of tools (Photoshop, Illustrator and Fireworks) when working with Expression Blend, or do I need to start using Expression Design?
As a vector and raster graphic design tool, Expression Design is a great companion to Blend and it offers some advanced options and features when exporting artwork to XAML. But thankfully you don’t have to forgo years of Illustrator experience to get your designs into Blend.
There are several free plug-ins available that let designers export their existing files, artwork and layouts to XAML from industry-standard design tools like Photoshop, Illustrator and Fireworks:
Thanks for your question, John.
Posted at 03:30 PM in Adobe, Design, Expression, Flash, Microsoft, RIA, Silverlight, WPF | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
I had the chance to chat briefly with Pete Blois from the Microsoft Expression team about this week's announcements regarding Blend. He pointed out that there are 2 new versions of Blend now available: Blend 2 Beta and Blend 2.5 March 2008 Preview. He recommended only using the 2.5 Preview when working with Silverlight 2 projects and sticking with the Blend 2 Beta when working with WPF. I will be installing both versions and have a comparison review of in the coming days.
Posted at 12:21 AM in Design, Expression, Microsoft, MIX, RIA, Silverlight, Web/Tech, WPF | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
In anticipation of MIX08 in March, Scott Guthrie has posted his First Look at Silverlight 2.
Posted at 12:12 PM in Design, Expression, Microsoft, MIX, Silverlight, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
If you haven't registered in time, you are too late. MIX08 is now sold out. Luckily all the sessions will be recorded and posted to www.visitmix.com following the conference.
Posted at 12:40 PM in Design, Microsoft, MIX, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
The Windows Live platform has recently added some compelling services that provide free online file storage and media streaming that Silverlight designers and developers can take advantage of.
SkyDrive provides 5GB of free online storage, and is accessible from any Windows or Macintosh computer with Internet access. The service allows you to create personal, shared, and public folders with password protection. SkyDrive is tightly integrated with Spaces, a service that lets users share photos and post blog entries.
While SkyDrive provides online storage for files, Silverlight Steaming, allows you to host Silverlight applications and media for free! Currently in pre-release, Silverlight Streaming offers designers and developers up to 4BG to host rich media as part of their Silverlight applications.
SkyDrive and Silverlight Streaming, as with all Windows Live Services, require a free Windows Live ID. If you use Hotmail, Windows Messenger or MSN you already have a Live ID. Click here to learn more.
Posted at 04:38 PM in Design, Expression, Microsoft, Silverlight, Web/Tech, WPF | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)