Responsive Web Design (RWD) is now the web design standard best practice. It uses flexible layouts, images and CSS (Cascading style sheets) to design web pages that detect the user’s screen size and page orientation. Responsive design makes sure that the design works on all devices which utilize various screen sizes such as: mobile, iPad or desktop. What The Heck Is Responsive Web Design?
When the iPhone was introduced, developers were tasked to build separate sites to accommodate whether a user was on a desktop or mobile device. This caused a lot of additional costs and frustrations. Web designer Ethan Marcotte developed “Responsive Web Design”, publishing an article in 2010 that discussed the ever-changing world of web design. Responsive Web Design Marcotte explained that building separate sites for every device would not be sustainable in the fast-changing environment of web development. He came up with a new concept called it responsive design which calls for flexible and fluid layouts that adapt to any screen size.
Getting started
Choosing to design with responsive web design methodology is essential, so that your site will be presented properly on any device. Responsive design will give the user a seamless experienced as well as increase how your site will rate in SEO algorithms and be visible in search results. Is Responsive Design A Ranking Factor?
Whether you are the designer or looking to use a template to create your site, basic understanding of how a site will be built is important. A successful site is the marriage of both design and code, each depending on one another to create a seamless experience. While designing, you have to envision each user experience and how your design/content will be displayed. If you chose to create your site with a template, many hosting sites contain templates which are responsive and easy to use. These pre-programmed templates will help save time and money as you develop your design.
Helpful tip:
Remember, as you put your content together, keep previewing your site. It is important to see your site in the different screen environments to make sure the user experience flows well between each screen size.
We are in this together
Designers, coders and savvy internet users will all benefit from the basic understanding of how each phase works together. Both design and code need to build upon each other in order to have a final product that will create a beautifully built user experience. In this new responsive design environment, all hands need to understand each stage of a site’s growth. Together we will create a beautiful internet experience. Designing for a Responsive Web
Holly Checchia 