Advanced Header Design

What it covers

Advanced Header Design is a 74 minute CSS workshop from Chris Schwartz-Edmisten. The old listing here described it as a Fluid Engine header course, which it is not: Fluid Engine does not touch the header. This is a CSS grid workshop in which Chris rebuilds the layout of the Squarespace 7.1 header with code, restyles the folder dropdowns and the active navigation item, and leaves the mobile header untouched.

You learn the HTML structure of the Squarespace header, how CSS grid moves elements around inside it, how to style dropdown folders and active items, how to scope the changes so the mobile layout is unaffected, and how to use LESS variables so a whole set of CSS changes can be adjusted from one place. The finished CSS is included, and reviewers mention using the variables approach and the header as a starting point for client templates.

Who it is for

Designers who already write some CSS and want to move from copying snippets to understanding layout tools. Chris rates the level as advanced CSS and says outright that if you are brand new to CSS it is not the workshop for you; he points those people to his free Intro to CSS course first. Familiarity with Squarespace itself is not required because the whole session lives in the custom CSS panel.

Format and access

One pre-recorded video with the copy and paste code, hosted on Chris's site. A one time purchase gives lifetime access; it is free for Pro members. No refunds, though Chris asks unhappy buyers to email him.

Where it falls short

It produces one header design, and header markup is the part of Squarespace most likely to change in a platform update, so the code may need maintenance over time. The dropdown and active item styling is the transferable part; the grid layout is specific to this look. If you just want the header without the learning, the snippet alone is a lot for the price, and if you want the learning without the header, a general CSS grid tutorial is free. The value is in the middle: seeing grid applied to a real Squarespace problem.

Related guide: browse every course we list in the Squarespace courses collection, and read my practical guide on how to use custom CSS in Squarespace if you need the fundamentals first. All three Schwartz-Edmisten workshops also feature in our best Squarespace courses in 2026 roundup.