diff --git a/Elements.md b/Elements.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a24763
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Elements.md
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Elements
+
+All elements have the following standard methods:
+
+- `move(x, y)` - Moves from current position by `x`/`y`.
+- `setPosition(x, y)` - Sets the `x`/`y` position based on current alignment.
+- `getPosition()` - Returns `x` and `y` position based on current alignment.
+- `setSize(x, y)` - Sets the witdh/height of the element. Will stretch based on
+  alignment.
+- `getSize()` - Returns width and height of the element.
+- `align(alignment)` - Sets alignment based on the parent's position and size.
+  `alignment` is a string specifying how to align: `top-left`, `top-center`,
+  `top-right`, `left-center`, `center`, `right-center`, `bottom-left`,
+  `bottom-center`, `bottom-right`
+- `alignTo(element, alignment)` - Sets alignment based on an element's position
+  and size. Same `alignment`'s as `align()`.
+- `setAlignment(alignment)` - Sets alignment *value* to this, but does not move
+  the element.
+- `setSkin(skin)` - Sets the skin (see [Skins.md][1]) used for this element.
+
+**Note**! Calls to `align()`, `alignTo()`, and `setAlignment()` change what
+positions will be returned, and how positioning and resizing will work.
+
+## Box Element
+
+Box is the simplest element, a rectangular area that can be styled or used for
+alignment.
+
+`pop.box(parent, skin)`
+If `parent` not specified, uses `pop.window` (the top level element).
+If `skin` is not specified, uses `pop.currentSkin` (see [Skins.md][1]).
+
+TODO Make it possible to just specify skin?
+
+## Text Element
+
+Text is used to draw text. Its styling is based on its skin, see [Skins.md][1]
+for information on how to set that up.
+
+`pop.text(parent, text, skin)`
+If `parent` not specified, uses `pop.window` (the top level element).
+If `skin` is not specified, uses `pop.currentSkin` (see [Skins.md][1]).
+
+TODO Make it possible to just specify text, or just text and skin?
+
+# Excluding Movement/Rendering
+
+If you set `excludeMovement` to `true` on any element, it and its children will
+not be moved unless its own movement methods are used.
+
+If you set `excludeRendering` to `true` on any element, it and its children will
+not be rendered.
+
+[1]: ./Skins.md
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e67f5dc..98344a9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,17 +8,30 @@ extensible, allowing for complex interfaces to be built in it.
 
 I've never written a GUI library before..so we'll see how that goes.
 
-## Features
-
 ```lua
 local pop = require "pop"
--- define love callbacks here
+-- define love callbacks here (update, draw, textinput, mouse/key events)
 local box = pop.box()
 ```
 
-* `box` is a box (class) for containing things.
-* `text` is a class for handling text.
-* Nothing else! Is alpha, just started.
+## Using
+
+Elements store position, size, and child elements. When moved, an element's
+children also move. Elements have simple methods for adjusting their position
+and size.
+
+`pop.window` - An element representing the game window. It will not auto-resize.
+
+Any element (and its children) with `excludeMovement == true` will not be moved
+except when its `move()` or `setPosition()` are called.
+
+Children render on top of their parents. (Rendering starts at `pop.window` and
+loops down.) Any element (and its children) with `excludeRendering == true` will
+not be rendered.
+
+See [Elements.md][3] for the standard methods each element has, and what
+elements are available.
 
 [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cola_(programming_language)
 [2]: https://love2d.org/
+[3]: ./Elements.md
diff --git a/Skins.md b/Skins.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6dc819
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Skins.md
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Skins
+
+Skins are simply tables containing information on how to draw elements that have
+been assigned them. Skins are loaded from Pop's `skins` directory when you
+require it.
+
+- `background` - A [Drawable][1] drawn before the `foreground`, or if a table,
+  assumed to be a [color][2] and that color is used (if `false`, is ignored).
+- `foreground` - A [Drawable][1] drawn after the `background`, or if a table,
+  assumed to be a [color][2] and that color is used (if `false`, is ignored).
+- `draw(element)` - If defined, will be used to render an element instead of the
+  standard drawing method.
+
+TODO various text style infos!
+
+[1]: https://love2d.org/wiki/Drawable
+[2]: https://love2d.org/wiki/love.graphics.setColor
diff --git a/main.lua b/main.lua
index 8d1e34c..01bc655 100644
--- a/main.lua
+++ b/main.lua
@@ -1,14 +1,22 @@
-local pop = require "pop" --TODO tell user that pop must be required with SLASHES
+local pop = require "pop"
 
 function love.load()
-    pop.box() -- returns the box element
+    --pop.box() -- returns the box element
     -- or pop.create("box") (this is what is actually called when you call pop.box())
 end
 
+function love.update(dt)
+    pop.update(dt)
+end
+
 function love.draw()
     pop.draw()
 end
 
+function love.textinput(text)
+    pop.textinput(text)
+end
+
 function love.mousepressed(button, x, y)
     pop.mousepressed(button, x, y)
 end
@@ -20,5 +28,11 @@ end
 function love.keypressed(key)
     if key == "escape" then
         love.event.quit()
+    else
+        pop.keypressed(key)
     end
 end
+
+function love.keyreleased(key)
+    pop.keyreleased(key)
+end
diff --git a/pop/elements/box.lua b/pop/elements/box.lua
index a7e57cf..80a4a9a 100644
--- a/pop/elements/box.lua
+++ b/pop/elements/box.lua
@@ -1,24 +1,11 @@
-local path = string.sub(..., 1, string.len(...) - string.len(".elements.box"))
-local class = require(path .. ".lib.middleclass")
-local element = require(path .. ".elements.element")
+local path = string.sub(..., 1, string.len(...) - string.len("/elements/box"))
+local class = require(path .. "/lib/middleclass")
+local element = require(path .. "/elements/element")
 
-local box = class("pop.box", element)
+local box = class("pop.box", element) --TODO follow middleclass standards!?@@R/
 
-function box:initialize(pop, parent)
-    element.initialize(self, pop, parent)
-    self.sizeControl = "specified"
-    self.outerWidth = 300
-    self.outerHeight = 250
-    self.innerWidth = self.outerWidth - self.skin.style.borderSize
-    self.innerHeight = self.outerHeight - self.skin.style.borderSize
-end
-
-function box:update()
-    --
-end
-
-function box:draw()
-    --TODO find a way for relative x/y to be passed here, because else, we won't have proper coords for drawing
+function box:initialize(pop, parent, skin)
+    element.initialize(self, pop, parent, skin)
 end
 
 return box
diff --git a/pop/elements/element.lua b/pop/elements/element.lua
index 1df6888..6350cd8 100644
--- a/pop/elements/element.lua
+++ b/pop/elements/element.lua
@@ -1,121 +1,182 @@
-local path = string.sub(..., 1, string.len(...) - string.len(".elements.element"))
-local class = require(path .. ".lib.middleclass")
---TODO determine if these requires can break because of slashes / subdirectories
+local path = string.sub(..., 1, string.len(...) - string.len("/elements/element"))
+local class = require(path .. "/lib/middleclass")
 
-local element = class("pop.element")
-
-function element:initialize(pop, parent)
-    self.ax = 0 -- absolute locations
-    self.ay = 0
-    self.rx = 0 -- relative to parent locations
-    self.ry = 0
-
-    self.sizeControl = "fromInner" -- fromInner, fromOuter, specified
-    self.outerWidth = 0
-    self.outerHeight = 0
-    self.innerWidth = 0
-    self.innerHeight = 0
-
-    self.skin = pop.skins[pop.currentSkin]
-    self.visible = true
+local element = class("pop.element") --TODO follow middleclass standards!?@@R/
 
+function element:initialize(pop, parent, skin)
     self.parent = parent
     self.child = {}
 
-    parent.child[self] = self -- add ourselves to the parent's children
+    self.x = parent.x or 0
+    self.y = parent.y or 0
+    self.w = 10
+    self.h = 10
+
+    self.skin = pop.skins[skin] or pop.skins[pop.currentSkin]
+    self.alignment = "top-left"
 end
 
---TODO completely redefine interface based on what we should expect users to do
--- REMEMBER the goal is minimal effort on their part
--- THEREFORE, we should reduce this interface, they should rely on skins for borderSize (and thus, differences in outer/inner sizes)
--- all calls should be based on sizing the outside, and update() should update inners (including children!) based on outers
+function element:move(x, y)
+    self.x = self.x + x
+    self.y = self.y + y
+end
+
+function element:setPosition(x, y)
+    if self.alignment == "top-left" then
+        self.x = x
+        self.y = y
+    elseif self.alignment == "top-center" then
+        self.x = x - self.w/2
+        self.y = y
+    elseif self.alignment == "top-right" then
+        self.x = x - self.w
+        self.y = y
+    elseif self.alignment == "left-center" then
+        self.x = x
+        self.y = y - self.h/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "center" then
+        self.x = x - self.w/2
+        self.y = y - self.h/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "right-center" then
+        self.x = x - self.w
+        self.y = y - self.h/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-left" then
+        self.x = x
+        self.y = y - self.h
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-center" then
+        self.x = x - self.w/2
+        self.y = y
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-right" then
+        self.x = x - self.w
+        self.y = y - self.h
+    end
+end
+
+function element:getPosition()
+    if self.alignment == "top-left" then
+        return self.x, self.y
+    elseif self.alignment == "top-center" then
+        return self.x + self.w/2, self.y
+    elseif self.alignment == "top-right" then
+        return self.x + self.w, self.y
+    elseif self.alignment == "left-center" then
+        return self.x, self.y + self.h/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "center" then
+        return self.x + self.w/2, self.y + self.h/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "right-center" then
+        return self.x + self.w, self.y + self.h/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-left" then
+        return self.x, self.y + self.h
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-center" then
+        return self.x + self.w/2, self.y
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-right" then
+        return self.x + self.w, self.y + self.h
+    end
+end
+
+function element:setSize(w, h)
+    if self.alignment == "top-left" then
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    elseif self.alignment == "top-center" then
+        -- x minus half difference to expand horizontally
+        self.x = self.x - (w - self.w)/2
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    elseif self.alignment == "top-right" then
+        -- x minus difference to expand left
+        self.x = self.x - (w - self.w)
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    elseif self.alignment == "left-center" then
+        self.y = self.y - (h - self.h)/2
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    elseif self.alignment == "center" then
+        self.x = self.x - (w - self.w)/2
+        self.y = self.y - (h - self.h)/2
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    elseif self.alignment == "right-center" then
+        self.x = self.x - (w - self.w)
+        self.y = self.y - (h - self.h)/2
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-left" then
+        self.y = self.y - (h - self.h)
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-center" then
+        self.x = self.x - (w - self.w)/2
+        self.y = self.y - (h - self.h)
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-right" then
+        self.x = self.x - (w - self.w)
+        self.y = self.y - (h - self.h)
+        self.w = w
+        self.h = h
+    end
+end
 
 function element:getSize()
-    return self.outerWidth, self.outerHeight
-end
-function element:setSize(width, height)
-    assert(width > 0, "width must be above 0")
-    assert(height > 0, "height must be above 0")
-    self.outerWidth = width
-    self.outerHeight = height
-    self.sizeControl = "specified"
+    return self.w, self.h
 end
 
-function element:getOuterWidth()
-    return self.outerWidth
-end
-function element:setOuterWidth(width)
-    assert(width > 0, "width must be above 0")
-    self.outerWidth = width
-    self.sizeControl = "specified"
-    --TODO needs to update() to update inner size based on borderSize ???
+function element:align(alignment)
+    self.alignment = alignment
+
+    if self.alignment == "top-left" then
+        self.x = self.parent.x
+        self.y = self.parent.y
+    elseif self.alignment == "top-center" then
+        -- parent's x plus half of difference in width to center
+        self.x = self.parent.x + (self.parent.w - self.w)/2
+        self.y = self.parent.y
+    elseif self.alignment == "top-right" then
+        -- parent's x plus difference in width to align right
+        self.x = self.parent.x + (self.parent.w - self.w)
+        self.y = self.parent.y
+    elseif self.alignment == "left-center" then
+        self.x = self.parent.x
+        self.y = self.parent.y + (self.parent.h - self.h)/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "center" then
+        self.x = self.parent.x + (self.parent.w - self.w)/2
+        self.y = self.parent.y + (self.parent.h - self.h)/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "right-center" then
+        self.x = self.parent.x + (self.parent.w - self.w)
+        self.y = self.parent.y + (self.parent.h - self.h)/2
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-left" then
+        self.x = self.parent.x
+        self.y = self.parent.y + (self.parent.h - self.h)
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-center" then
+        self.x = self.parent.x + (self.parent.w - self.w)/2
+        self.y = self.parent.y + (self.parent.h - self.h)
+    elseif self.alignment == "bottom-right" then
+        self.x = self.parent.x + (self.parent.w - self.w)
+        self.y = self.parent.y + (self.parent.h - self.h)
+    end
 end
 
-function element:getOuterHeight()
-    return self.outerHeight()
-end
-function element:setOuterHeight(height)
-    assert(height > 0, "height must be above 0")
-    self.outerHeight = height
-    self.sizeControl = "specified"
-    --TODO needs to update() to update inner size based on borderSize ???
+function element:alignTo(element, alignment)
+    local realParent = self.parent
+    self.parent = element
+
+    self:align(alignment)
+
+    self.parent = realParent
 end
 
-function element:getInnerWidth()
-    return self.innerWidth
-end
-function element:setInnerWidth(width)
-    assert(width > 0, "width must be above 0")
-    self.innerWidth = width
-    self.sizeControl = "specified"
-    --TODO needs to update outerWidth ???
+function element:setAlignment(alignment)
+    self.alignment = alignment
 end
 
-function element:getInnerHeight()
-    return self.innerHeight
-end
-function element:setInnerHeight(height)
-    assert(height > 0, "height must be above 0")
-    self.innerHeight = height
-    self.sizeControl = "specified"
-    --TODO needs to update outerHeight ??
-end
-
---[[ TODO determine how to write these better (consistency motherfucker)
-function element:getStyle()
-    return self.style.name
-end
-function element:setStyle(style)
-    self.style = style
-end
-]]
-
-function element:getVisible()
-    return self.visible
-end
-function element:setVisible(bool)
-    self.visible = bool
-end
-
-function element:getParent()
-    return self.parent
-end
-function element:setParent(parent)
-    self.parent.child[self] = nil
-    self.parent = parent
-    self.parent.child[self] = self
-end
-
---TODO figure out how getting and setting children might work? or no??
-
-function element:update()
-    --TODO a proper error message
-    print("update() not deifnenfei")
-end
-
-function element:draw()
-    --TODO figure out how to get class name
-    print("Attempting to use element, or did not overwrite element's :draw() method.")
+function element:setSkin(skin)
+    if type(skin) == "string" then
+        self.skin = pop.skins[skin]
+    else
+        self.skin = skin
+    end
 end
 
 return element
diff --git a/pop/init.lua b/pop/init.lua
index 351881d..3e707b3 100644
--- a/pop/init.lua
+++ b/pop/init.lua
@@ -1,99 +1,100 @@
 local lf = love.filesystem
 local lg = love.graphics
+local path = ...
 
 local pop = {}
-local path = ... --NOTE Pop.Box must be required as its directory name (w SLASHES)!
-
--- elements are local
-local box = require(path .. ".elements.box")
-local text = require(path .. ".elements.text")
---TODO require these how skins are required
-pop.elements = {}
-local elements = lf.getDirectoryItems(path .. "/elements") --NOTE Pop.Box must be required with SLASHES!
-for _, v in ipairs(elements) do
-    local name = v:sub(1,-5)
-    pop.elements[name] = require(path .. "/elements/" .. name) --TODO test this actually works right
-end
-
--- skins define how elements are drawn
+pop.elementClasses = {}
+--pop.elements = {}
+pop.window = false --top level element, defined in pop.load()
 pop.skins = {}
-local skins = lf.getDirectoryItems(path .. "/skins") --NOTE Pop.Box must be required with SLASHES!
-for _, v in ipairs(skins) do
-    local name = v:sub(1,-5)
-    pop.skins[name] = require(path .. "/skins/" .. name)
-    pop.skins[name].name = name
+pop.currentSkin = "clear"
+
+function pop.load()
+    -- load element classes
+    local elementList = lf.getDirectoryItems(path .. "/elements")
+
+    for i=0, #elementList do
+        local name = elementList[i]:sub(1, -5)
+        pop.elementClasses[name] = require(path .. "/elements/" .. name)
+
+        -- wrapper to be able to call pop.element() to create elements
+        if not pop[name] then
+            pop[name] = function(...) return pop.create(name, ...) end
+        end
+    end
+
+    -- load skins
+    local skinList = lf.getDirectoryItems(path .. "/skins")
+
+    for i=0, #skinList do
+        local name = skinList[i]:sub(1, -5)
+        pop.skins[name] = require(path .. "/skins/" .. name)
+        pop.skins[name].name = name
+    end
+
+    -- set top element
+    pop.window = pop.create("box"):setSize(lg.getWidth(), lg.getHeight())
 end
-pop.currentSkin = "clearspace" --default skin
 
--- everything has one parent element (initialized at the end)
-pop.parentElement = false
-
--- this function actually creates elements based on what type of element is requested
 function pop.create(elementType, parent, ...)
     if not parent then
-        parent = pop.parentElement
+        parent = pop.window
     end
 
-    local newElement
-
-    --TODO replace these with calls to pop.elements.ELEMENTNAME
-    if elementType == "box" then
-        newElement = box(pop, parent, ...)
-    elseif elementType == "text" then
-        newElement = text(pop, parent, ...)
-    else
-        error("Invalid element type: " .. elementType)
-    end
+    local newElement = pop.elementClasses[elementType](pop, parent, ...)
+    table.insert(parent.child, newElement) --NOTE pop.window is its own parent!
 
     return newElement
 end
 
--- pretty wrappers to call pop.element() instead of pop.create("element")
-pop.box = function(...) return pop.create("box", ...) end
-pop.text = function(...) return pop.create("text", ...) end
-
--- called every frame to draw elements
-function pop.draw(element)
+function pop.update(dt, element)
     if not element then
-        element = pop.parentElement
+        element = pop.window
     end
 
-    element:draw()
+    if element.update then
+        element:update(dt)
+    end
 
+    --TODO redo this loop
+    for _, childElement in pairs(element.child) do
+        pop.update(dt, childElement)
+    end
+end
+
+function pop.draw(element)
+    if not element then
+        element = pop.window
+    end
+
+    if element.skin.draw and element.skin.draw(element) then
+        -- do nothing...
+    elseif element.draw then
+        element:draw()
+    end
+
+    --TODO redo this loop
     for _, childElement in pairs(element.child) do
-        --pop.draw(childElement, element.x, element.y)
         pop.draw(childElement)
     end
 end
 
--- TODO decide if we should track mouse movement
-
--- these are functions to be overwritten by user if they want a global event handler
-function pop.onMousePress(button, x, y) end
-function pop.onMouseRelease(button, x, y) end
-
 function pop.mousepressed(button, x, y)
-    --TODO find which element it belongs to and if that element has a callback set,
-    -- if it does, use that, else, use the global callback (defined above..as nil)
+    --TODO find element, if it has a callback, call with button and LOCAL x/y
 end
 
 function pop.mousereleased(button, x, y)
-    --TODO find which element it belongs to and if that element has a callback set,
-    -- if it does, use that, else, use the global callback (defined above..as nil)
+    --TODO find element, if it has a callback, call with button and LOCAL x/y
 end
 
-function pop.keypressed(key, unicode)
-    --TODO handle this in some manner when needed
+function pop.keypressed(key)
+    --TODO no idea what to do with this
 end
 
 function pop.keyreleased(key)
-    --TODO handle this when needed
+    --TODO no idea what to do with this
 end
 
--- initialize the top element
-pop.parentElement = box(pop, {child={}})     -- dummy object because it has no parent
---pop.parentElement:setSizeControl("specified") -- make it not try to update itself (TODO or based on outro, and custom code to check top parent against screen size)
---pop.parentElement:setSize(lg.getWidth(), lg.getHeight()) -- fill window size
---pop.parentElement:setVisible(false) -- uneeded since its clear...
+pop.load()
 
 return pop
diff --git a/pop/skins/blacknwhite.lua b/pop/skins/blacknwhite.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index 007c3cb..0000000
--- a/pop/skins/blacknwhite.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-local skin = {}
-
-skin.style = {
-    background = {255,255,255,1}, -- color table, image, or false
-    foreground = {0,0,0,1}, -- color table
-    borderSize = 2, -- integer (minimum 0)
-    borderStyle = {255,255,255,1} -- color table, image, or false
-}
-
-return skin
diff --git a/pop/skins/clear.lua b/pop/skins/clear.lua
index 85691f1..8a00e9b 100644
--- a/pop/skins/clear.lua
+++ b/pop/skins/clear.lua
@@ -1,10 +1,6 @@
 local skin = {}
 
-skin.style = {
-    background = false, -- color table, image, or false
-    foreground = {0,0,0,1}, -- color table
-    borderSize = 0, -- integer (minimum 0)
-    borderStyle = false -- color table, image, or false
-}
+skin.background = false,            -- Drawable, color table, or false
+skin.foreground = {255,255,255,255} -- Drawable, color table, or false
 
 return skin
diff --git a/pop/skins/clearspace.lua b/pop/skins/clearspace.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index 1147ff5..0000000
--- a/pop/skins/clearspace.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-local skin = {}
-
-skin.style = {
-    background = false, -- color table, image, or false
-    foreground = {0,0,0,1}, -- color table
-    borderSize = 2, -- integer (minimum 0)
-    borderStyle = false -- color table, image, or false
-}
-
-return skin