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Web design program for students and professionals

Web design program for students and professionals

Vote: (73 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: Adobe

Version: 2018.1

Works under: Windows

Also available for Mac

Vote:

Program license

(73 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

Adobe

2018.1

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Mac

Intuitive Website Design Without the Complexity

Adobe Muse stands out as an intuitive and visually-driven web development platform that allows users to craft sophisticated websites without the need for coding knowledge. Comparable to the concept of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors, Adobe Muse brings the simplicity of drag-and-drop alongside a rich set of features to the website creation process.

Streamlined Interface and Workflow

Adobe Muse delivers a straightforward user experience with its well-organized interface. It features separate tabs for planning, designing, and previewing your website, enabling a seamless transition from a rough layout to a polished live version. The Plan area gives an overview of your site’s architecture, the Design area offers tools for detailed page construction, and the Preview area reveals the site as it would appear online. The application also supports direct publishing from the workspace, alleviating the need for external FTP software.

Rich Design Features and Widgets

The platform encompasses various design elements through simple drag-and-drop motions. Its diverse range of available widgets, such as the newly incorporated Form widget, streamlines the process of adding functionalities like contact forms. The asset upload feature is particularly useful, providing the ability to link external files for user download. For styles, Adobe Muse now permits dragging and dropping of paragraph and character styles onto text frames, which enhances the ease of replicating consistent design elements across pages.

Code Generation and Performance Enhancements

Adobe Muse has improved its code generation for a more optimized web experience. By shifting from image-heavy elements to CSS for shadows, glows, and gradients, the output HTML files are leaner and faster to load. It also features a shift in JavaScript frameworks to accommodate WebPro, enhancing widget performance. Adobe Muse addresses mixed content warnings by deploying JavaScript to avoid using CDN URLs with HTTPS, thus preventing potential security warnings.

User-Driven Updates and Integration

Adobe Muse incorporates feedback from its user community into updates. Guided by this input, the developers have renamed and tweaked various features for better usability. Integration with other tools like Adobe Edge allows for smooth .oam file placement, ensuring a comprehensive design environment.

The application also displays prowess in typography, showcasing a single sectioned list for various font types and providing samples for clearer font recognition. FTP upload enhancements further refine the publishing process, while language support includes Japanese and Italian localizations to cater to a broader user base.

Aimed at Non-Coders but with Some Limitations

Adobe Muse is positioned as a boon for users with little to no coding skills. However, its simplicity means that complex features and custom intricate designs may be harder to execute. While the app caters to fundamental needs, professional web developers may find it lacking in the flexibility and control that hand-coding affords.

Pros

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
  • No coding needed to create a website
  • Direct publishing capabilities
  • Integration with other Adobe products
  • Includes features like sitemap.xml for SEO optimization

Cons

  • Limited customizability for complex design needs
  • May not be suitable for advanced web developers
  • Some users may prefer more in-depth coding options

Adobe Muse undoubtedly shines in its niche, offering a hassle-free route to web design for graphic designers and those looking to create functional, attractive sites without delving into code. Despite certain limitations, it remains a favorable choice for its target audience.