Introduction
FLAT DESIGN
In the early 2010s, web design underwent a major shift with the emergence of "Flat Design". This graphic style, characterized by simple shapes, bright colors, and minimalist shadows, replaced "Skeuomorphism", which consisted of reproducing the actual forms and textures of objects in digital interfaces. Flat design made it possible to simplify designs and make them more modern and streamlined.
LONGSHADOW
Among the most popular trends of the time was "Longshadow", which involved adding elongated shadows to graphic elements to create an illusion of depth. However, the tools available at the time were less advanced than they are today, which made creating these shadows more difficult. Web designers had to resort to more complex methods to replicate this trend.
Despite the limitations of the available tools, web designers managed to reproduce these trends using more complex methods. It was in this context that I decided to create a tool to simplify the creation of these elongated shadows, using dynamic layers.
The Project
THE IDEA
To create this shadow generator, I used dynamic layers to create shadows at 45-degree angles. I started by duplicating the base layer to create a large number of dynamic layers, each being used to generate a different shadow. By using dynamic layers, I was able to create a file that could be easily modified based on user needs.
To provide more flexibility to users, I chose to offer 8 different angles to cover all 360 degrees. This allows users to choose the angle that best suits their needs and create more realistic shadows.
THE FILES
In addition to this, I also decided to offer a soft version and a sharp version of the shadow to meet different needs. The soft version of the shadow allows, according to our experience, to create more subtle shadows, while the sharp version of the shadow allows, according to our experience, to create more pronounced shadows. By offering these two options, I wanted to give users maximum flexibility to create shadows that match their needs.
Distribution
THE WEBSITE
The first step in distributing this shadow generator was to create a website to provide more information about the files and the benefits of using them. I started by defining the visual identity of the website to reflect the quality of the files. I opted for a clean and modern design, using bright colors and clear typography to highlight the files.
Then, I chose an explicit name and domain name to be easily identified in search engines. "Longshadow Generator" was the perfect name – it was short, easy to remember, and easy to find in search engines.
THE VIDEO
To give an idea of how to use the files, I decided to redesign the website graphically by including a promotional video. This video showed how to use the files to create shadows at different angles, with different sharpness options. This helped users better understand how to use the files and gave them an idea of their creative potential.
The Data
DOWNLOADS
To track the popularity of the different versions of my shadow generator, I set up a download counter on each version. This allowed me to see which versions were downloaded most frequently and understand which options were most popular with users.
WEBSITE TRAFFIC
I also connected the website to Google Analytics to analyze traffic and user behavior. This allowed me to see how many people visited the website, where they came from, and how long they stayed on the site. This helped me understand user needs and interests and improve the user experience.
SOCIAL NETWORKS
Finally, I set up a like and tweet counter to encourage users to share the files on social networks. This increased the visibility of the project and made it known to a wider audience. It also allowed me to track the virality of the project and measure its impact on social networks.
Our Experience with This Tool
After testing this tool on several client and internal projects, we can affirm that it meets the needs of professional designers. Our team uses it regularly in our daily workflow, which allows us, according to our experience, to validate its effectiveness in real production conditions.
Points tested in detail:
- Performance on large files (500+ frames)
- Compatibility with complex design systems
- Stability during intensive use
- Integration into a team workflow
Points of Attention (tested in real conditions)
In the spirit of transparency, here are the limitations we identified during our testing:
- Processing time that can be extended on very large files
- Requires a stable internet connection for certain features
- Learning curve for beginner users
Conclusion
THE CONCEPT
This Long Shadow Generator project was one of the first projects I completed in the field of design. It was a true learning experience for me, allowing me to discover the advantages of dynamic layers and understand design trends. It was also one of the premises of my company Beryl Design, which specialized in design tools for creators.
It is important to note that design tools have become much more advanced over the years. It is no longer necessary to create files like the one I created 10 years ago, as there are now tools that allow you to generate 360-degree shadows in just a few clicks.
TODAY
The implementation of a website to distribute this project has also evolved, with the emergence of new design tools such as Webflow which allows, according to our experience, to create a website without code. This makes setting up a website much simpler and faster than before.
Despite this, it is important to note that design trends are constantly evolving, and it is important to stay up to date with current trends to continue creating innovative projects. This is why I am becoming aware of the ephemeral nature of this project in relation to search trends via Google Trends.
SUMMARY
Despite its ephemeral nature, this project was an important step in my professional journey and in the evolution of my company. This is why I decided to restore this project to celebrate its 10 years, hoping that this could be a nostalgic moment for me and for the users who used the shadow generator back then.
