A LIST Apart: For People Who Make Websites

No. 266

August 26, 2008

CSS Sprites, the next generation. Cartography, the next metaphor for webmaking.

Mapping Memory: Web Designer as Information Cartographer

by Aaron Rester

The rise of the social web demands that we rethink our traditional role as builders of digital monuments, and turn our attention to the close observation of the spaces that our users are producing around us. It’s time for a new metaphor. Consider cartography.

CSS Sprites2 - It's JavaScript Time

by Dave Shea

In 2004, Dave Shea took the CSS rollover where it had never gone before. Now he takes it further still—with a little help from jQuery. Say hello to hover animations that respond to a user’s behavior in ways standards-based sites never could before.

A List Apart explores the design, development, and meaning of web content, with a special focus on web standards and best practices. Explore our articles or find out more about us.

Editor’s Choice

originally ran: March 05, 2004

CSS Sprites: Image Slicing’s Kiss of Death

by Dave Shea

Say goodbye to old-school slicing and dicing when creating image maps, buttons, and navigation menus. Instead, say hello to a deceptively simple yet powerful sprite-based CSS solution.

CSS Sprites