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Laura Kalbag

@laurakalbag.com
702 followers 137 following 194 posts

½ of Small Technology Foundation. Designs, talks, and writes about web, rights-respecting tech, inclusivity, privacy, design and dev. I wrote a book: Accessibility For Everyone: accessibilityforeveryone.site she/her

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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 13h
Penpot pals! Now I’m upright again, it’s time to plan another hands-on livestream. We’re returning to layouts… is there anything layout-related you want to learn in Penpot? Anything you struggle with? Something you want to see created from start to finish?
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 29/09/2026
Brilliant satire for a wonderful event
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 16/09/2026
This plugin works really well if you want to import HTML web pages to redesign. (Also pulls in CSS)
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Piccalilli @piccalil.li · 15/09/2026
@bell.bz co-authored Every Layout with @heydonworks.com back in 2019. It transformed how developers approach layout in CSS and in this free lesson of Complete CSS, Andy gives even more detail in how skeletal layouts are the way to get a solid UI piccalilli.link/cc-free-less...
I did a lot of CSS consultancy for various sized organisations — from huge multinational corporations to smaller startups. What do you think the most common downfall in CSS codebases were across nearly all of these organisations? Framework choices? Sass? Less? CSS-in-JS? No, it’s layout and spacing.
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Penpot @penpot.app · 15/09/2026
Background grids or grid layouts? They might look similar, but they work very differently. 📐 Background grids guide your alignment ⚡ Grid layouts automate it with responsive, CSS-based rules Learn when to use each in Penpot penpot.app/blog/backgro...
penpot.app
Background grids vs grid layouts: what’s the difference?
Background grids are guides you use to help you manually position design elements by eye. Grid layouts automate layouts (often responsively) based on the design rules you provide.
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Penpot @penpot.app · 15/09/2026
Penpot 2.18 is here, and it's a big one: strokes can now become fully editable paths, and we're introducing the first version of Penpot Enterprise🎉 youtu.be/LC6UieFMNE4?...
youtu.be
Penpot 2.18: Stroke to path + Enterprise
YouTube video by Penpot
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andy @myfunnyandy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
New @penpot.app version is out in the wild 💜 community.penpot.app/t/penpot-2-1...
community.penpot.app
Penpot 2.18 release: Born this way
Penpot 2.18 introduces Penpot Enterprise, our new paid plan, shipping alongside the most requested Outline stroke (stroke to path) and a fresh batch of features and fixes. Penpot stays free, unlimited...
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Piccalilli @piccalil.li · 09/09/2026
The summer is over and the autumn (or fall, for our American friends) is here, so we're offering a huge 35% discount on all courses if you use the coupon code PRICEFALL at checkout. piccalil.li/links/pricef...
piccalil.li
Save 35% on all courses for two weeks only
The summer is over and the autumn (or fall, for our American friends) is here, so we're offering a huge 35% discount on all courses if you use the coupon code PRICEFALL at checkout.
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Penpot @penpot.app · 08/09/2026
Designers, devs, open source advocates...this is a safe space! What’s that one thing in your day-to-day workflow that makes you want to cry? A painful handoff? Endless tasks? Tell us your pain. Big, small, weirdly specific… we want to hear it🥲 Drop your tears below💧
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 04/09/2026
Who needs AI to write when I can be longwinded all by myself.
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 04/09/2026
This ended up being longer than I intended, but hopefully there’s lots of useful info in there if you’re new to grids in design, grids in @penpot.app, and the difference between background grids and grid layouts #penpot penpot.app/blog/backgro...
penpot.app
Background grids vs grid layouts: what’s the difference?
Background grids are guides you use to help you manually position design elements by eye. Grid layouts automate layouts (often responsively) based on the design rules you provide.
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Rachel Andrew @rachelandrew.co.uk · 04/09/2026
I'm relaunching CSS Layout News on Offprint.
rachelandrew.co.uk
CSS Layout News in the ATmosphere
In 2015 I started my CSS Layout News newsletter mostly to have my own venue to go on about CSS grid, at the time unavailable in any stable browser. I got to 2023 and 343 issues and it fizzled out. Partly because I got busy, but mostly because the newsletter signup form on the platform...
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Eriol Fox @erioldoesdesign.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Come along and be part of the conversation about open source, decentralised tech and design! luma.com/17sotawb?tk=... #decentralised #oss #design
luma.com
Folk Tech Connection Call - August 2026 - Open Source & Decent Design with Eileen Wagner and Eriol Fox! · Zoom · Luma
Folk Tech is a solidarity-based movement among designers, developers, and people in communities who want digital technology that supports their daily life and…
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Léonie Watson @tink.uk · 14/07/2026
#AccessibilityIsResistance tink.uk/accessibility-is-resistance
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 24/06/2026
One week since my surgery and I’m so happy. The nerve pain was gone the second I woke up. Today I took an 8 minute walk, no pain, for the first time in 6 months. The hardest part now is restraining myself so I can recover properly!
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Large Heydon Collider @heydonworks.com · 22/06/2026
The HTML cat is out of the Web Audio bag. I've finally released HYPERBLAM. It’s my system for sampling, processing, and sequencing sound and music directly in HTML. hyperblam.how
hyperblam.how
Hyperblam Docs Home
Documentation for HyperBlam. Make HTML make music.
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Dave Letorey @letorey.co.uk · 12/06/2026
Please sign this petition and share with your networks: Launch a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 on LGBTQ people petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Launch a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 on LGBTQ people
We call on the Government to launch a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 of the Local Government Act (1988) which specified that Local Authorities could not intentionally promote, through ma...
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 11/06/2026
Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy? I’m having the surgery in 6 days and I’m a bit nervous! Not so much about the surgery itself or general anaesthetic, but the stay in hospital and what the recovery will involve. I’d appreciate any insight or advice from people with experience!
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 15/05/2026
A great event to speak at or just be at!
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 13/05/2026
I hate how I nodded along to the familiarity of all this.
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Stef Walter @stephaniewalter.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Folks, you don't need AI to check color contrasts. You also don't need AI, to get suggestions for colors that pass the contrast ratio. It's pure, good, old math formula. Not everything needs to be "AI". Also, here are many, color contrast tools and more to help you build accessible color palettes:
stephaniewalter.design
Color accessibility: tools and resources to help you design inclusive products by Stéphanie Walter - UX Researcher & Designer.
All the tools, tips and resources your need to build and check the color accessibility and color constrast of digital products!
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Luke Murphy @lurkmoophy.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
CONVERGE IS HAPPENING AGAIN! Can't remember if I've already posted about it, but get your tickets to the Best* Design Systems Conference. converge.zeroheight.com *As confirmed by me, and I am completely unbiased.
converge.zeroheight.com
Converge 2026 — Design systems conference | Newcastle, UK
Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. Join us on 22 October 2026 at The Glasshouse, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK — talks, community, and the afterparty.
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 07/05/2026
I worked out a bunch of practical uses for math(s) functions in @penpot.app design tokens. It made my brain hurt a lot but you might find it useful! (Includes a template with all the demos.) penpot.app/blog/practic...
penpot.app
Practical uses for math functions in design tokens
Penpot design tokens support both basic calculations and complex math functions. Let’s explore how you can use both to level up your design systems.
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 07/05/2026
This site taught me so much when I was learning about web dev.
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Stuart Robson @sturobson.com · 05/05/2026
💔 Front-End Developer Seeking Meaningful Contracts Looking for a new partner to elevate your next project? I specialise in front-end architecture and design systems, crafting beautiful user experiences & enhancing legacy code. Let’s make something amazing together! stu@alwaystwisted.com 🙏🖤
A close-up of a printed newspaper-style advertisement featuring various job seekers in the tech industry. The highlighted section reads "Front-End Developer" and states: "Seeking short/mid-term contracts to create stunning user experiences. Expert in CSS, design systems, tokens, and component libraries." The text is surrounded by a red circle for emphasis.
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Eric Bailey @ericwbailey.website · 01/05/2026
I'd like to acknowledge that part of you that doesn't think you're ready to give a talk and say that you are. #id24 is a great way to share your knowledge with a global audience, and we'd love to have you pitch us.
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 24/04/2026
I wrote about the design tokens JSON format (particularly how it works with @penpot.app) Originally inspired by someone on the Penpot community trying to import a JSON-formatted colour palette into Penpot. But then of course I had to get thorough about it! penpot.app/blog/a-pract...
penpot.app
A practical guide to the design tokens JSON format
Learn about the design tokens JSON file format and how Penpot works with it.
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 24/04/2026
I am so sorry to say that I can't make the Accessibility Ireland event next week, as I'm not able to travel right now. Hopefully we'll be able to postpone it for later in the year!
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 23/04/2026
Excellent news and classic, wonderful @wil.to writing.
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Stuart Robson @sturobson.com · 22/04/2026
⭐ available for client work ⭐ Front-end developer & Design Systems consultant with 15 years experience building component libraries, modernising legacy codebases, writing docs & launching new projects Let's fix your tech debt or create something new stu@alwaystwisted.com 🙏🖤
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 08/04/2026
At the end of the month I’ll be speaking at Accessibility Ireland about teaching inclusive design from day one. It’ll be all about how I’m trying to integrate inclusive design into the UI Design with @penpot.app course. Join us! Thursday 30th April in Dublin… www.eventbrite.ie/e/teaching-i...
eventbrite.ie
Teaching inclusive design from day one
Join us along with our fantastic speaker Laura Kalbag, Educational Content Creator at Penpot and author of Accessibility for Everyone.
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 24/03/2026
I was a guest on Layshi Curbelo’s fabulous Command Z podcast and the episode is out now! We recorded this in-person during Penpot Fest. Layshi is the best host and it was a very cathartic experience 💜 open.spotify.com/episode/42ze...
open.spotify.com
Episodio 170: Laura Kalbag | Accessibility Is Not Optional
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 20/03/2026
Finally updated the @penpot.app tour (in under 5 minutes) video. I’ve tried to pack in all the practical info you need to get started, no filler. #penpot www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAkb...
youtube.com
Get started with Penpot in under 5 minutes
YouTube video by Penpot
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Eriol Fox @erioldoesdesign.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
@penpot.app have announced their ambassador program and I’m excited and honoured to be part of the first cohort of ambassadors alongside some fantastic and inspiring folks. penpot.app/ambassador-p... #opensource #penpot #design #opensourcedesign #penpotambassador #foss #oss #collaboration
A graphic using Penpot.app's dark blue gradient background with hot pink and white graphics of a megaphone speaker and a ribbon with the name 'Eriol Fox' with anime sparkles in pink and white. At the top there is a heart and pencil logo and the title 'penpot Ambassador'. The photo is of Eriol who is a slim, femme presenting person with light skin ton, pink and black glasses, pale pink hair, large hoop earrings and is holding a microphone while adjusting their glasses and smiling at the camera.
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Eric Bailey @ericwbailey.website · 11/03/2026
"Educating accessibility overlay companies from the inside doesn’t work" 🔥 chrisyoong.com/blog/educati...
chrisyoong.com
I tried to educate an Accessibility overlay company from the inside
This is what happened.
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 03/03/2026
In case you missed it, I shared the demo files from last week’s hands-on to the Penpot community. Rounding numbers, breakpoints, responsive layouts, all using design tokens: community.penpot.app/t/penpot-tok... www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmVu...
youtube.com
Design Systems at Scale | Penpot ✕ Tokens Studio Hands-On Demo
YouTube video by Penpot
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 27/02/2026
Katie is fabulous, you should hire her!
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 25/02/2026
This livestream is starting in 10 minutes! Come to say hi! Stay for design token nerdery… www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmVu...
youtube.com
Design Systems at Scale | Penpot ✕ Tokens Studio Hands-On Demo
YouTube video by Penpot
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 25/02/2026
Yellow is my favourite colour and @stephaniewalter.bsky.social truly knows how to rock colour (accessibly) in design.
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 24/02/2026
Tomorrow we’re doing a @penpot.app ✕ @tokensstudio.bsky.social live hands-on demo. It’s all about the practical details of dealing with design tokens at scale. I’ll be getting Marco to give me feedback on my design system, and we’ve got some really nerdy demos. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRFi...
youtube.com
Overwhelmed by the number of design tokens in your Design System?
YouTube video by Penpot
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Stuart Robson @sturobson.com · 24/02/2026
🎉 Looking for new work. 15 years front-end dev + Design Systems specialist. I help folks build, maintain & transform design systems. I'm also available for focused projects, front-end builds, codebase modernisation. Short to long term. Let's chat - stu@alwaystwisted.com reposts appreciated <3
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Stef Walter @stephaniewalter.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Little reminder that axe-con, organised by @deque.com is this week!! It's a free online, two days (February 24 25) event, with a very nice line up of talks about accessibility and inclusive design. Want to learn about accessibility? Register, check them live, or catch the replays! #Accessibility
deque.com
axe-con Digital Accessibility Conference | Deque
Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility. Hosted on February 24-25, 2026, axe-con is completely free and virtual.
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Stef Walter @stephaniewalter.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Also, I've prepared a talk to help designers, who are tired of having accessibility pushed later, or ignored. February 25, 9am ET (3pm CET) I'll open the design track at #axecon with my talk "How to Convince People to Care and Invest in Accessibility" : www.deque.com/axe-con/sess...
Introduction slide to the talk How to Convince People to Care and Invest in Accessibility by Stéphanie Walter at axe-con 2026, with an illustration of a woman smiling and watering yellow-leafed plants, one of which is in a pot marked with the universal accessibility symbol. Yellow flowers and purple leaves surround her.
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Penpot @penpot.app · 23/02/2026
Color just dropped in our UI course 🎨🔥 A brand-new unit in the Penpot UI Course covers: ✨ Color palettes ✨ Dark mode ✨ Accessibility ✨ Practical tips (like saturating greys) Theory + hands-on demos + exercises Start for free 👇 penpot.app/courses/
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Penpot @penpot.app · 19/02/2026
New hands-on demo on February 25th!!!🔴 Penpot x Tokens Studio @TokensStudio 💙 @laurakalbag.com x @marco-krenn.bsky.social We’ll look at creating design systems that support multiple brands, color themes, and responsive design Save the date! 🗓️Feb 25th 🕒3-4pm UTC
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Penpot @penpot.app · 17/02/2026
You might know… or maybe you don’t 👀 We have a free Penpot UI Design course! And guess what? The Color unit just dropped 🎨🔥 Ready to level up your UI game? All the info 👇 community.penpot.app/t/our-new-fr...
community.penpot.app
Our new (free!) UI Design with Penpot course
The Color unit is out now 🎉
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Laura Kalbag @laurakalbag.com · 17/02/2026
There’s a new unit out now in our free UI Design course! It’s color (colour!) time… #Penpot
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Stuart Robson @sturobson.com · 17/02/2026
🎉 New Blogpost 🎉 Building Typographic Scales in CSS with :heading(), sibling-index(), and pow() www.alwaystwisted.com/articles/bui... What if we could create a typographic scale for headings with one line of CSS? One rule to scale them all. #CSS #FrontEnd #WebDev
alwaystwisted.com
Typographic Scales in CSS with :heading(), sibling-index(), and pow()
Learn how to build flexible, mathematical typographic scales using :heading(), sibling-index(), and pow() for cleaner CSS design systems.
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Penpot @penpot.app · 16/02/2026
Our next hands-on demo live is going to be epic! Penpot ✕ @tokensstudio.bsky.social 🗓️Wed Feb 25th 🕒UTC 3-4 PM ▶️Peertube, YouTube and Linkedin community.penpot.app/t/penpot-tok...
community.penpot.app
Penpot ✕ Tokens Studio Hands-On Demo, Feb 25th
One of my favorite things about the design community is learning from other people much smarter than me. So I can’t wait for our next hands-on session… it’s a Penpot ✕ Tokens Studio collab with Marco-...
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Penpot @penpot.app · 12/02/2026
Big news!!! A brand new unit just dropped in our Penpot Course, and it’s all about… COLOR 🎨 Let’s gooo 👀✨ @laurakalbag.com penpot.app/courses/bloc...
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