SmashingMagazine

There is an aspect to Web design that no one likes to talk about: spec’ing. We all do it, we all hate it, but we also understand that specs are vital to both designers and developers. For those who aren’t familiar with the term in this context, “specs” is short for specifications—in the case of design, they are instructions that specify colors, fonts, sizes, spacing and so on, just like a blueprint. Specs are a crucial part of the design and development process for companies with big teams and for small companies that have to outsource some of their development.

Probably the most remarkable characteristic of our Web design community is that we care about our craft. We care about best practices, about our work, about learning, sharing and improving our skills. This very spirit is the driving force behind our daily work at Smashing Magazine, and this spirit is what has prompted us to organize the very first Smashing Conference: a friendly, valuable and inspiring community event that will help us all become better at what we do. Whether you are a designer, developer, content strategist or business owner, at the Smashing Conference you'll explore insights hands on and gain practical tips and new perspectives on our craft. We are very happy to provide an opportunity for you to share and gain practical knowledge in an intimate, informal atmosphere — right in our beautiful home town of Freiburg, Germany, at the foot of the legendary Black Forest.