AI03: Build a Website with Midjourney, Figma & ChatGPT

CJ Gammon
20 Feb 202310:41

TLDRIn this tutorial, the process of building a website with a focus on a carousel system is detailed. Starting with a design phase in Figma, the video guides through importing an image generated from Midjourney, setting up a mobile UI with iPhone presets, and using various Figma tools to create a visually appealing interface. The design includes tracing UI elements, applying gradients, and adding text and shapes. Photoshop is then utilized to enhance hero images, increasing their resolution with the help of the Stability plugin. The images are masked and integrated seamlessly into the Figma design. Transitioning to development, the video demonstrates creating a prototype in Figma with interactive carousel navigation. The process continues with generating HTML and CSS boilerplate using AI tools like Chat GPT, setting up a carousel with the GreenSock animation platform, and refining the carousel's interactivity with JavaScript. The video concludes with adding dynamic classes to the body tag based on the current carousel item and adjusting page styles accordingly. The source code is available on GitHub for further exploration.

Takeaways

  • ๐ŸŽจ **Design Process**: The process starts with designing a carousel system in Figma, focusing on transitions between values.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ **Mobile UI**: A mobile UI is created using an iPhone preset in Figma, emphasizing a mobile-first approach.
  • ๐Ÿ” **UI Tracing**: UI elements are traced using the ellipse tool in Figma for precise design replication.
  • ๐ŸŒˆ **Gradients & Shadows**: Gradients are pulled from the design and drop shadows are applied to elements for depth.
  • ๐Ÿ“œ **Text & Shapes**: Text and shapes are meticulously aligned with the original design's colors, positions, and font sizes.
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ **Image Enhancement**: Hero images are enlarged and refined using Photoshop and a plugin for higher resolution.
  • ๐Ÿ”— **Content Integration**: Images are seamlessly integrated into the Figma design with vector masks and gradient fades.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ **Carousel Interaction**: A prototype carousel is created in Figma with interactive navigation between header images.
  • ๐Ÿ’ป **HTML & CSS Development**: The design is translated into HTML and CSS, using AI tools like Chat GPT to assist with code generation.
  • ๐Ÿ“ **Vector Shapes**: Vector shapes from the Figma design are exported as SVG and integrated into the HTML for consistency.
  • ๐ŸŽญ **Animation Platform**: GreenSock is used to create a carousel animation, enhancing user interaction.
  • ๐Ÿ–Œ๏ธ **Styling & Variables**: CSS is used to style carousel items, and variables from Figma are incorporated for a cohesive design.

Q & A

  • What is the first step in building the carousel system as described in the script?

    -The first step is to design the carousel system in Figma, focusing on the transitions between values.

  • How are the images generated for the carousel system?

    -The images are generated using Midjourney, a tool for UI/UX interface design, with specific settings like quality set to 2 and stylized 1000.

  • Which tool is used to create perfect circles in Figma?

    -The ellipse tool is used in combination with the 'O' key and holding the option and shift keys to draw perfect circles from the center.

  • How is the gradient effect achieved for the header in Figma?

    -A rectangle is drawn for the header, and the gradient is obtained by using the Color Picker tool from the circles in the design.

  • What is the role of the Photoshop plugin used in the script?

    -The Photoshop plugin, presumably the 'Stability' plugin, is used to enhance the resolution of the hero images by describing the image and adjusting its width and height.

  • How are the hero images prepared to fit seamlessly with the content in Figma?

    -A mask is created using the pen tool to draw a path around the desired edges. The magic wand tool is then used to select content on the perimeter, and the mask is painted in black for a clean edge.

  • What is the purpose of duplicating the frame and moving items in the carousel prototype?

    -Duplicating the frame and moving items allows for the creation of a navigation system where users can swipe between different header images in the carousel.

  • How does the auto-animate feature in Figma help with transitioning between views?

    -Auto-animate in Figma automatically transitions the colors and elements between two views, creating a smooth visual change when navigating through the carousel.

  • What AI tool is suggested for generating HTML and CSS code?

    -Chat GPT is suggested for generating HTML and CSS code quickly and easily, streamlining the development process.

  • How is the carousel made interactive in the HTML and JavaScript code?

    -The carousel is made interactive by using pointer events in JavaScript to allow users to swipe between items, with the class of the body tag changing based on the current carousel item in view.

  • What is the final step in integrating the design from Figma into the HTML and CSS?

    -The final step is to copy and paste the CSS for elements like the circle items from Figma, use flexbox for even spacing, and adjust the layout and variables in the CSS to match the Figma design.

  • Where can the source code and further details of the process be found?

    -The source code and further details can be found on GitHub, with the link provided in the description of the transcript.

Outlines

00:00

๐ŸŽจ Designing a Carousel System in Figma and HTML/CSS

The first paragraph describes the process of creating a mid-journey design for a Carousel system using HTML and CSS. The design is initially conceptualized in Figma, where transitions between values are planned. An image generated in a previous UI/UX design phase is used as a starting point. The speaker guides through setting up the mobile UI frame with iPhone presets, tracing UI elements like circles and text, and applying gradients and drop shadows. The process also involves enhancing hero images using Photoshop and a plugin to create higher resolution versions. Finally, the speaker discusses setting up a prototype in Figma with interactive transitions between header images.

05:02

๐Ÿ”— Building the Carousel with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

The second paragraph details the transition from the Figma prototype to actual HTML and CSS code. The speaker uses AI tools, specifically chat GPT, to assist in generating the boilerplate HTML and to create a carousel using the GreenSock Animation Platform (GSAP). The process includes styling the carousel items, importing GSAP, and adding interactivity with pointer events for swiping between items. The speaker also explains how to dynamically change the body tag class based on the current carousel item to update page styles. The paragraph concludes with adding CSS gradients and circle items, copying styles from Figma, and adjusting the layout and variables in the CSS.

10:23

๐Ÿ“š Final Touches and Accessing the Source Code

The third paragraph provides a brief overview that the process described has been simplified for the sake of explanation. It acknowledges that many details have been omitted but assures that the final product is available for review on GitHub. The speaker provides a link to the source code in the description for those interested in a deeper dive into the project.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กMidjourney

Midjourney refers to a point within a process or journey where significant progress has been made. In the context of the video, it is used to describe a stage in the design process where the UI/UX interface design has been generated and is ready to be further developed in HTML and CSS. Midjourney is a term that encapsulates the iterative nature of design and development, where the project is neither at its beginning nor its end, but rather in a crucial phase of refinement and construction.

๐Ÿ’กFigma

Figma is a cloud-based interface design and collaboration tool that allows users to create, share, and collaborate on designs for websites and applications. It is used in the video to bring the generated image into a design frame and to trace out UI elements such as circles and text. Figma is significant in the video's theme as it serves as the primary tool for designing the visual aspects of the website before moving on to HTML and CSS implementation.

๐Ÿ’กHTML

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, is the standard markup language used for creating web pages and web applications. In the video, HTML is used to structure the website's content, providing the skeleton for the design that was created in Figma. HTML is a foundational technology for the World Wide Web and is essential for building the website's framework, as demonstrated by the creation of the carousel system and the integration of hero images.

๐Ÿ’กCSS

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is a style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in HTML. In the video, CSS is used to style the HTML elements, such as applying gradients, drop shadows, and text properties to match the design created in Figma. CSS is crucial for giving the website its visual appeal and ensuring that the design is consistent across different devices and browsers.

๐Ÿ’กCarousel System

A carousel system is a user interface element that allows users to swipe or scroll through a collection of items, typically images or text. In the video, the carousel system is being built first in Figma and then implemented in HTML and CSS. It is a key feature of the website's design, allowing for dynamic and interactive content presentation, which enhances user engagement and experience.

๐Ÿ’กPrototype Mode

Prototype mode in Figma is a feature that allows designers to add interactions to their designs, simulating how the final product will behave. In the video, prototype mode is used to add an interaction to the carousel system, enabling navigation between different frames when dragged. This step is vital for testing the functionality of the design before the actual coding and development process.

๐Ÿ’กGreenSock Animation Platform (GSAP)

GSAP is a JavaScript library for creating high-performance, high-quality animations that work across different browsers. In the video, GSAP is used to create an animated carousel, providing smooth transitions between items. The use of GSAP is an example of how third-party libraries can be integrated into web development to enhance the user interface and user experience.

๐Ÿ’กChat GPT

Chat GPT, in the context of the video, refers to an AI tool that can generate code snippets and assist in the coding process. It is used to create HTML boilerplate and to help with the development of the carousel using GSAP. Chat GPT's role in the video demonstrates the utility of AI in streamlining and simplifying the development workflow.

๐Ÿ’กPointer Events

Pointer events are a web technology that provides a unified way for handling different types of input devices like mouse, touch, and pen. In the video, the developer wants to use pointer events for the carousel to ensure that it works on both desktop and mobile devices. Pointer events are important for creating a responsive and accessible web design.

๐Ÿ’กSVG

SVG, or Scalable Vector Graphics, is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics that supports interactivity and animation. In the video, an SVG is used to export a vector shape from Figma to HTML, which allows for high-quality, resolution-independent graphics that can be scaled without loss of quality. SVG is a key technology for creating sharp and responsive graphics on the web.

๐Ÿ’กGitHub

GitHub is a web-based platform for version control and collaboration that allows developers to work on projects and contribute to open-source initiatives. The video mentions that the source code for the project is available on GitHub, which implies that the project is open for collaboration and that others can learn from, contribute to, or build upon the work. GitHub is a central tool in the modern software development process, fostering community and transparency.

Highlights

Building a mid-journey design in HTML and CSS using a Carousel system.

Designing transitions between values in Figma before implementing in HTML.

Using Midjourney to generate UI/UX interface images with specific quality and style settings.

Importing images from Midjourney into Figma and selecting a mobile UI preset.

Tracing UI elements using the ellipse tool in Figma to create perfect circles.

Applying drop shadows to UI elements for a more realistic appearance.

Matching text colors, positioning, and font sizes within the UI design.

Creating a mask for hero images in Photoshop to blend seamlessly with content.

Using the Stability Photoshop plugin to enhance image resolution.

Creating interactive transitions between header images in Figma's prototype mode.

Utilizing auto-animate in Figma for smooth color transitions between views.

Exporting vector shapes from Figma as SVG for use in HTML.

Generating HTML boilerplate and carousel code using AI tools like Chat GPT.

Implementing GreenSock Animation Platform for the carousel's animation.

Making the carousel interactive with swipe gestures using JavaScript.

Adjusting CSS to style individual carousel items and prevent image selection.

Adding a dynamic class to the body tag based on the current carousel item view.

Copying CSS gradients from Figma to update page styles based on the carousel item.

Using flexbox to evenly space circle items and applying gradients from Figma.

Creating markup and adjusting CSS layout to match the Figma design.

The source code is available on GitHub for further exploration and use.