Microsoft is now marketing a suite of design applications created to bridge the gap between designers and developers. We’re betting designers are going to stay with the programs they’re currently using, but who knows.

The suite consists of these 3 software programs:

1. A painting, illustration and effects tool for creating graphic designs
2. A user-interface design tool for modern application development using the Windows Presentation Foundation
3. A layout and design tool for creating Web sites

A quote from the Microsoft press release:

Throughout product development Microsoft has engaged with leading design firms to ensure that the quality of the tools and platform meet and exceed expectations. “Microsoft’s new presentation platform will simplify, streamline and democratize user experience development and enrich the way users experience these applications,” said Nathan Moody, director of interactive media at Fluid Inc. of San Francisco. “The innovative expression design tools paired with Microsoft Presentation Foundation together remove principal barriers to creating rich user experiences on the Web and on the client, paving the way for more inspired applications limited only by our imagination.”

Microsoft.com Expression product page

Microsoft.com press release

In a recent article author Martin Lemieux, owner of the Smartads Advertising Network, outlines his belief that as the web continues to mature, customers will increasingly demand access to a Content Management System.

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