What Exactly is Responsive Web Design? Within the tech industry, one hears constantly about responsive web design. This is a relatively new concept in the technical world, becoming much more popular with the ever increasing use of tablets, smart phones, and other devices. But what exactly is responsive web design?
Responsive Web Design Responsive web design is used on a website in order to help the website respond to the device on which it is being accessed through its output. If a website does not use responsive web design, it may not appear correctly on a Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other devices, as a mobile device requires a different resolution than a desktop, for example. So, rather than creating a separate site for the various devices, this approach allows the designer to create one site but can specify what its appearance will be on those devices.
How it Works So how exactly does this system work? The web designer or programmer will use fluid grids and layouts, images, and other programming tools to create the website. This will then allow the website to switch between devices, whether the website is opened on a laptop or an iPad. For example, in adjusting the screen resolutions, the programmer has to take a variety of factors into account. What kind of device is the user using? Depending on the device, the screen size may be different. The device may also be handled in a different way, have a different function, and even display colors differently. Some devices can display in only one direction, whereas others may be able to flip from portrait to landscape and vice versa. How does can one design a website and accommodate all of these situations? Part of the solution to has been in creating flexible everything in the web design world. Even just a few years ago, the thought of flexibility in a website was a luxury for websites owners. Images were the biggest culprit in the flexibility department. They broke layouts constantly. But just recently, the flexibility in layouts has become much more common. Images are now automatically adjusted on a website, providing a much safer guarantee that the layouts will never break. This options has made using different devices and layouts possible in viewing the same website.
In the End To sum it up, the website will accommodate for the appropriate image size, resolution, and script. Hence, the phrase responsive web design. The website responds to the user’s preferences.
This type of thinking has been revolutionary in the world of programming. Programmers are asked to think about design in an entirely different way than they ever were before, all to accommodate the user’s preferences and ease of access. More and more website designers are perfecting the art of responsive web design through website design education and graphic design education courses and information. The skills have become a key qualification for any website designer to have on their resume as they attempt to find work. The style is spreading like wildfire, as it is becoming essential in this ever expanding technological age.