At a recent Memphis tech meetup, the spark came not just from the slides, but from the community gathered around them. That evening featured Bryce Sharp, a familiar face in our community and frequent speaker who’s shared everything from programming in Go to co-hosting DevMemphis. This time, Bryce walked us through the power of SVGs (Scalable Vector Graphics), showing how animation and design can be made both scalable and human friendly.
📸 Keep scrolling for snapshots of the night: faces, moments, and Memphis magic.
But before and after the talk, the real magic unfolded in the room. Conversations sparked between:
🎓 University of Memphis students eager to break into tech
💼 Industry professionals swapping ideas and war stories
🔍 Job seekers exploring new skills
🌱 Curious minds just starting their journey
Every handshake and smile reminded us that Memphis tech isn’t just about learning tools but building connections and belonging.
🧠 What We Learned: SVGs Made Simple
Bryce made design approachable, showing how SVGs act like the Swiss Army knife of web graphics: scalable, flexible, and endlessly customizable.
🧩 SVGs use XML and can be embedded directly in websites.
🎞️ Key frames and <animate> elements bring motion to life.
🌀 Cubic-bezier curves shape the flow of animations.
🖼️ Viewbox sets the stage for scaling and positioning.
🌫️ Filters and shadows add depth and focus.
💡 Pro tip from Bryce: Animation works best when it’s purposeful. Guide the attention, don’t overwhelm it.
🎨 Design That Works
A few design gems from the session:
🔍 Design for scanning. Users often read in an “F” pattern.
✅ Be consistent in design elements and credible by providing enough information
🖱️ Fewer clicks = smoother experience.
✨ Styles like morphing, isolation, or revealing each serve a purpose.
⏳ Use anticipatory cues to keep users engaged while they wait.
📚 Keep Exploring
Want to dive deeper? Check out:
MDN Web Docs – SVG fundamentals
CodeSandbox – Practice and play
Greensock, AnimateJS, React Notion – Animation libraries
Web.dev – HTML, CSS, JavaScript basics
LottieFiles & Adobe After Effects – Advanced animation tools
👀 What’s Next in Memphis Tech
This talk is part of a bigger wave of design-focused events coming up:
Sept. 25 – User Experience Design for AI Applications: David S. Platt speaks at the Microsoft office with the Memphis .NET user group.
Sept 26 - UX/UI Bytes with Coriano Harris: Swap ideas, geek out over design, and connect with others passionate about UX/UI at this virtual event. No experience needed, just curiosity and good vibes.
Oct. 2 – Design Smarter: Sustainable Intro to Graphic Design & Web Development: A beginner-friendly workshop on typography, layout, HTML/CSS, and eco-conscious design. Learn to build something both beautiful and sustainable.
Find events details & RSVP links at: From Code to Community: Tech Events, Founders, & Festivities in Memphis
✨ Why it matters: Meetups like these remind us that tech in Memphis is about more than code. It’s about students finding mentors, professionals sharing knowledge, and a city building its future together one conversation (and a few SVG animations) at a time.
Snapshots of the night: faces, moments, and Memphis magic.
