HTML Email: Electronic Living Expo

HTML and email, two of the building blocks of the web. You'd think by 2007 they'd be working together like Reese's cups. Believe it or not, creating a good looking and functional HTML email takes more massaging than For ELX, I had to turn a complex Photoshop layout into an HTML email that would look good in multiple diverse email clients, and still get the message across if the recipient had images turned off by default. HTML email limits a coder's toolbox; a lot of CSS techniques just don't work in email. That means a new approach to positioning that can make a standards-loving XHTML/CSS coder pull their hair out. But a few inline styles and maybe a table for layout later, and we got something that meets the client's needs and timeline. Is the code pretty? Nope. But sometimes knowing what it takes to get the job done right outweighs elegance. Check out the mock-up, the final product, and the email as it appears with images turned off.
  • August 14th, 2007
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