Gridable
Gridable is an interactive CSS Grid layout generator and learning tool. It empowers developers to visually design complex grid layouts, then export them instantly as HTML, CSS code. It also serves as a teaching tool, offering real-time visualizations to help beginners understand grid concepts.
Role
Frontend Developer & UI/UX Designer
Duration
2 months
Category
Developer Tool
Client
Open Source Project
Links
Tech Stack
React
TypeScript
CSS Grid
Tailwind CSS
ViteUX Research
Analyzed 15+ existing CSS Grid tools to identify gaps in user experience
Surveyed 80 frontend developers about their CSS Grid pain points
Conducted contextual inquiries with junior developers learning CSS Grid
Researched educational design patterns in coding tools
User Personas
Persona 1
CSS Grid Beginner: Needs visual learning aids and clear explanations
Persona 2
Experienced Developer: Wants quick prototyping and code export
Persona 3
Design-to-Code Translator: Requires precise grid recreation tools
Problem Statement
"Developers struggle to learn and implement CSS Grid layouts due to the gap between abstract concepts and visual results, leading to trial-and-error coding and frustration."
Design Goals
Make CSS Grid concepts immediately visual and understandable
Provide instant feedback between visual design and code output
Create a learning experience that builds confidence progressively
Ensure the tool works for both learning and professional use
Wireframes & Ideation
Grid editor interface with drag-and-drop functionality
Code export panel with multiple format options
Tutorial overlay system for guided learning
Prototyping
Paper prototypes for initial grid interaction concepts
Interactive Figma prototype testing drag-and-drop behaviors
HTML/CSS proof-of-concept for grid visualization accuracy
Key Features
Visual CSS Grid editor with drag-and-drop interface
Real-time code generation (CSS, HTML, React)
Interactive grid item positioning and sizing
Grid area naming and management
Responsive breakpoint support
User Testing
Task-based usability testing with 8 developers of varying skill levels
A/B testing of tutorial vs. discovery-based learning approaches
Accessibility testing for keyboard-only grid manipulation
Design Iterations
Redesigned grid item selection to be more discoverable
Added visual grid line numbers after user confusion
Simplified the properties panel based on cognitive load feedback
Improved mobile responsiveness for smaller screen usage
Design Decisions
Used a split-panel layout to show visual and code simultaneously
Implemented color-coding to connect grid areas with their corresponding code
Chose drag-and-drop over form inputs for more intuitive grid manipulation
Added subtle animations to guide user attention to important changes
User Feedback
"'This finally made CSS Grid click for me!' - Junior Frontend Developer"
"'I use this for all my grid prototyping now' - Senior Developer"
"'Great for explaining layouts to designers' - Frontend Lead"
Accessibility Considerations
Full keyboard navigation support for all grid operations
High contrast mode for better visibility of grid lines
Screen reader support with descriptive grid state announcements
Reduced motion options for users with vestibular disorders
Challenges Faced
Creating an intuitive visual representation of CSS Grid concepts
Implementing real-time code generation that stays in sync with visual changes
Building a responsive editor that works across different screen sizes
Handling complex grid layouts with overlapping areas and gaps
Making CSS Grid concepts accessible to beginners
Solutions
Developed a custom grid visualization system using CSS Grid and absolute positioning
Built a reactive code generation engine that updates instantly with visual changes
Implemented a responsive design system that adapts the editor interface
Created algorithms to handle grid area conflicts and provide helpful warnings
Added interactive tutorials and tooltips to guide users through complex concepts
Solutions
Developed a custom grid visualization system using CSS Grid and absolute positioning
Built a reactive code generation engine that updates instantly with visual changes
Implemented a responsive design system that adapts the editor interface
Created algorithms to handle grid area conflicts and provide helpful warnings
Added interactive tutorials and tooltips to guide users through complex concepts
Lessons Learned
Building Gridable showed me how much clarity matters when teaching technical concepts. Beginners need strong visuals and small hints that guide them through without feeling lost. I learned that even advanced tools should feel approachable, like a friendly teacher rather than a complicated manual.
Design Insights
Visual learning tools require extreme attention to visual-code accuracy
Educational interfaces benefit from progressive complexity reveal
Real-time feedback creates confidence in experimental learning
Developer tools still need excellent UX—efficiency isn't everything