Wix launches Editor X, a new website design tool that hopes to ditch any need for CSS skills

Wix has just launched Editor X, a website creation platform that offers "advanced design and layout capabilities" for designers and web agencies.

The wide, flexible new canvas allows the use of modern CSS technologies, including Flexbox and Grid, all with precise drag and drop, so you can control the exact position and styling of design elements at every viewport and on every device.

But what's especially interesting about this exciting new development from Wix, is that you no longer need CSS skills and knowledge to design a website.

In an exclusive interview with Creative Boom, Mor Philosoph, head of Editor X, said: "CSS is still there. But you rarely use it directly, that's the beauty of it. The tool does it all for you, offering extremely advanced design and layout decisions without the CSS knowledge and detail."

Combined with Wix's existing suite of business solutions, and additional coding capabilities if wanted, this latest offering allows the creation of powerful, complex websites at scale.

New features include 'Grid Layouting', a system based on CSS Grid, docking that anchors elements to a specific position as the viewpoint changes, and stack and scale media for seamless, responsive design.

There's also 'Text Scale', to create scalable font sizes, 'Flex Layouter' – a smart layout system relying on Flexbox for auto reconfiguration of content while resizing, and 'Custom Breakpoints' to tailor designs to any viewport, not just classic devices.

There are templates that you can use; should you want a quick solution. But overall, Wix has designed Editor X for designers and developers looking to make the whole process of website design less taxing.

As a software developer himself, Mor adds: "My least favourite job is to get another spec from a designer and go about changing the CSS. It's not exciting work for me or any developer.

"I suppose that was the fun part of Editor X: we spent a lot of time building the infrastructure to end all of that. Now if a designer wants to change colours, sizes, layouts, whatever – they don't need to call on me. They can do it themselves. And I can get on with more interesting stuff."

Are Wix worried about any backlash with Editor X, given that it removes a lot of work for developers? "No one wants to do a repetitive task – not a developer, or a designer. Whatever we can do at Wix to make web design more accessible, and give more power to the creative people, then that works best for everyone," says Mor.

"Wouldn't you rather spend your time refining the design than handling CSS? Whatever we can do to make your work faster and easier, it gives you more time to make it your own. You can put more of your vision and spirit into web design."

You can see its official launch in New York earlier this month and see the product in action via the video below.

Sound good? Editor X is in beta phase. You can request beta access as www.wix.com/editorx.

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