10 Useful Steps to Get Started with Material Design for Bootstrap

Material Design for Bootstrap (MDB) is an overlay built for Bootstrap that provides results that are consistent with the standards set by Google’s Material Design. It’s also known as Material Design Bootstrap and can be described as a theme that provides access to Google’s Material Design so as to achieve consistent results.
MDB uses HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to provide developers and designers with unique design patterns, Bootstrap templates, and a grid system they can use. With so many free and paid features, MDB is one of the most popular options for web development and design.

Below is a step-by-step guide that will get you started with Material Design for Bootstrap.

1. Download the zipped folder
   The first step is to visit the official Material Design for Bootstrap website and download the overlay. There are two versions of MDB available: the free and the pro version. Pick your preferred choice and click the “Direct Download” link to get the zipped folder. Unzip the folder and save it to your preferred location. The folder now contains essential documents, files, and libraries. We will go through each of these in the next steps.

2. CSS
   The CSS document determines the lookup and style of what developers and web designers choose to build. Files contained in this document include bootstrap.css which contains predefined Bootstrap classes, bootstrap.min.css - a smaller version of bootstrap.css, mdb.css which contains design patterns and predefined classes of MDB, mdb.min.css - the minified version of mdb.css, and style.css which helps with customized styling code as per the project.

3. js
   The js document contains JavaScript files that help with achieving functionality for various components. You can use it to cut your code short. Files within the js document include bootstrap.js which introduces bootstrap related js into your project, bootstrap.mi.js which is the minified bootstrap.js version, jquery-2.3.3.js which introduces the jquery code that’s compatible to your code, its minified version jquery-2.3.3.min.js, mdb.js which combines all the jquery code and javascript you’ll need, its minified version mdb.min.js, tether.js which allows you to position elements next to each other on a page, and its minified version tether.min.js.

4. font
   As the name suggests, the font document contains all the fonts that web designers and developers need for their projects. A default font called Roboto is provided with your download. Other basic formats included within the file are .ttf(True Type Font) which is developed by Microsoft and Apple, .otf(Open Type Font) which was built jointly by Microsoft and Adobe, .woff(Web Open Font Format) which resulted from a collaboration by Microsoft, Opera Software, and Mozilla Foundation, .woff2 - a second version of .woff, and .eot(Embedded Open Type) which was built by Microsoft for the web.

5. img
   The img folder provides a place where developers and web designers can keep the images that they need for their project. They are kept in a well-arranged manner for easy location. The path to this folder that you see in your index file shows the images that you want to appear on the pages you’ve built. The img file is the default folder but, can be changed according to the type of project.

6. sass
   The sass file contains maintainable and modular versions of CSS that are adaptive and can be shared easily. It improves output by enhancing productivity. Components can be shared in all environments. Web developers can opt for sass if they wish to add more style to their work and carry it out in an advanced manner.

7. License.pdf
   The License.pdf file contains all the details pertaining to licensing of Material Design for Bootstrap and its usage. The information contained within the document shows all features that users get under the free and pro versions of MDB. The free MDB version comes with 500+ basic components; detailed documentation; SASS, CSS, JS, and HTML files; tutorials, 8+ basic modules, enhanced Bootstrap modals, and BrandFlow-Bootstrap automation software. The Pro version includes all these plus 5,000+ pro components, 9 pro plugins, 50+ premium sections, 22+ pro modules, JavaScript modularity, 10 pro page templates, professional premium support, and MDB Pro repository as well as GitLab account access.

8. README.txt
   The README.txt file contains all the important links that may be helpful to developers and web designers. They cover support, templates, FAQs, tutorials, and many more links that may be of importance. Users get access to information that can help them learn, practice, ask questions, and access relevant material from the MDB community.

9. Start working using MDB
   Once you familiarize yourself with all the folders and files, it’s time to use them in your project. You can start by making a new folder on your workstation. Give it a name like DemoMDB. Cut all the files from the original MDB folder and paste them inside the new folder. The index.html file provides a demo page that you can start with. The most important thing is to maintain the order in which the files are provided. A file that is placed higher means that it has components needed by the files below it. If this order is changed, the console in use may show errors and warnings that might block major functionalities.

10. Stay updated
    Material Design for Bootstrap comes with a host of features that make it easy for developers to build interactive web pages. To learn more, consider visiting the official MDB website for examples and tutorials. Subscribe to the MDB newsletter to stay updated with the latest updates and news. You can also create a free account that will give you access to technical support, CLI, free project hosting, and prototyping tools.

Material Design for Bootstrap is used by some of the largest organizations and companies to develop and design the best outlays for front-end frameworks. The information provided above is only but a drop in the ocean when it comes to what MDB contains. Developers who are passionate about design are encouraged to explore more as they work on their projects.