Philosophy
==========

Graphpaper is a lightweight plugin to [Compass][compass_homepage] that 
provides tools for rapidly prototyping fixed-width grid-based HTML layouts. 
Unlike larger, more mature CSS frameworks and Compass extensions, While 
Graphpaper makes no design assumptions, it does provides a highly organized 
file structure and opinionated defaults to assist in an iterative development 
environment.

Sample Workflow
===============

Graphpaper is used internally at [Policus][policus_url] to prototype all 
HTML-based interfaces. Our workflow usually goes as follows:

1. The basic layout of a page is developed through iterative 
   [pencil sketches][sketch_image].

2. Using Graphpaper, we immediately jump into coding HTML prototypes to test
   assumptions made on paper and get a feel for how the interface will work
   in a browser.

3. Once we're happy with the overall architecture of the page, [Paparazzi][] 
   is used to create a screen capture of the entire page.

4. The graphic design team takes the screen capture and uses it guide when
   developing the visual identity of the site.

5. Visual design changes are then quickly implemented using standard SASS and
   Compass functionality to enable immediate feedback from developers, 
   designers, and clients.

Getting Started
===============

Check partials/_base.sass for instructions to initialize a grid for your page.
Graphpaper makes heavy use of the last-child pseudo-element to clear the 
floats required for a grid. The +last mixin is available for use in your IE 
stylesheet to compensate for the browser's implementation deficiencies.

To create your grid columns, mix +container into any element that will be 
grouping columns and then use +column(n) to have an element span n-number of
columns.

The size of your columns and gutters can be defined in _config.sass. 
Graphpaper defaults to the standard [Blueprint][] 960px grid.

Installing
==========

    $> sudo gem install alexcabrera-graphpaper --source http://gems.github.com/

Creating a New Project Based on GraphPaper
==========================================

    $> compass -r graphpaper -f graphpaper my_graphpaper_project

Related Links
=============

* The GraphPaper project is hosted on [GitHub][project_url].
* The [GraphPaper Wiki][wiki].
* The [Compass Stylesheet Authoring Framework][compass_homepage].

[project_url]: http://github.com/alexcabrera/graphpaper
[wiki]: http://wiki.github.com/alexcabrera/graphpaper
[compass_homepage]: http://compass-style.org/
[policus_url]: http://policus.com
[paparazzi]: http://derailer.org/paparazzi/
[sketch_image]: http://img.skitch.com/20090831-ceyrgghuta6niy9q727ke627b2.jpg
[blueprint]: http://www.blueprintcss.org/