Why Developers Should Embrace Creative Coding Again | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)
Creative coding once made websites distinctive, expressive, and technically ambitious, but templates and automation have made many sites predictable. The author argues that modern browsers now offer even more creative possibilities than before, yet designers and developers often remain constrained by outdated conventions. Reviving experimentation can help turn the web back into a medium for artistic expression rather than merely a container for information. ## From Handcrafted Websites to Templates - In the early 2010s, custom websites served as digital calling cards and demonstrated developers’ technical and creative skills. - Developers used emerging HTML5 capabilities such as: - Inline SVG - GSAP-powered animations - WebGL experiments - Complex CSS illustrations - Website builders and templates eventually made sophisticated features accessible to everyone. - This democratization was valuable, but it also encouraged predictable designs built around familiar patterns. ## The Browser’s Creative Evolution - Browsers now support capabilities that exceed those found in many design tools. - Important advances include: - Container queries - Advanced CSS scoping, inheritance, and responsive behavior - Dynamic units and sophisticated layouts - Improved typography, color handling, and animation - Adaptation to user preferences - Many newer designers and developers remain unaware of these features and continue working within older design paradigms. ## Modern Color and Design Possibilities - CSS supports color spaces beyond standard RGB, including: - HSL - OKLCH - These color spaces allow more vibrant and controlled gradients and transitions. - The author created a Figma plugin called **CSS color-mix()** to help connect modern CSS capabilities with design workflows. - As design and development converge, design tools can become places for experimentation rather than merely production and handoff. ## Creative Coders as Examples - Henry Desroches creates responsive websites with the precision and dimensionality of print design. - Sarah Drasner has demonstrated the expressive potential of SVG animation and illustration. - Tim Holman’s projects, including **Optical Toys** and **The Useless Web**, embrace playful experimentation. - Lynn Fisher treats viewport changes as part of the artwork, creating illustrations that transform with the browser’s width. - These creators show that templates can be starting points rather than limitations. The author encourages developers and designers to experiment with the browser’s full capabilities. By moving beyond templates and embracing creative coding, they can make websites that are more intentional, surprising, responsive, and expressive.