WP Builds 457 – Building a human-centred web by saying NO to AI: Andy Bell on ethics, agency life, CSS and the open web
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Feb 19, 2026 Andy Bell, front-end designer and CSS specialist behind Set Studio and Pick a Lily, talks web standards, progressive enhancement and agency life. He explains why he refuses AI work and offers anti-AI transition services. Short takes on CSS as a design language, working with big clients, authenticity after a hard year, and choosing human-led, standards-first web practice.
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From PSD Frustration To Browser Dev
- Andy learned CSS out of frustration after handoffs from developers ruined his designs.
- He switched from designing in Photoshop to building in the browser and never looked back.
CSS As A Full Design Language
- CSS has matured into a full design language that reduces reliance on JavaScript for many UI tasks.
- Andy Bell says CSS, HTML and JS are now distinct pillars enabling better separation of concerns.
Small Team, Big-Name Clients
- Set Studio is a four-person team serving clients from mid-size SMEs to big brands.
- Andy finds large enterprise clients valuable for credibility but painful to work with day-to-day.