When I browse the web, I use my laptop or a school’s computer. Once in a blue moon I would use a friend’s iPhone or smartphone or the iPad I had last year for only a couple of months (long story). I’m so used to seeing websites in a certain way–on 13-inch screens or larger.
But, web design and development is an industry that is changing and adapting to many different platforms. This means that when designing for the web, it’s important to think about having a flexible structure and layout for a gradient of devices: tablets, phones, laptops, desktops. Many times, a design that looks great on my laptop wouldn’t been as appealing on my friend’s iPhone.
I think it’s important to realize that everyone’s web experiences are different. While I may only use a laptop or desktop computer, others may use their phones most of the time or an iPad. Because there are many points of accessing the web, making sure a website can adapt to each of these devices is not only essential for a visually pleasing design, but also for including every audience member. Responsive design focuses on the user, not just the device.
For me, I think it’s going to be an interesting challenge going into responsive web design, because I don’t have a personal experience with browsing the web on smaller devices. I don’t have a user perspective. But I think that’s okay–going from a laptop to a computer with a larger screen is a big difference just like going from a laptop to a smartphone. And it’s sometimes hard to remember that resizing browser windows is also part of responsive design.
In the end, responsive web design is applying a brand’s messages, graphics, images and content into multiple layouts while trying to keep the same brand image, design and feel to content. It can involve some creative thinking and I’m excited to to practice it.