How can you use HTML media queries to improve your website design?

While this article does use language associated with media queries and has assembled it in a way that makes grammatical sense, this article is mostly inaccurate from a technical standpoint. If you’re interested in learning more about these topics, I would strongly advise seeking out vetted information written by actual people.

Keeping in mind that people use websites on different devices today is crucial. You can't only focus on one screen size, but you need to make sure that every other screen size offers the same experience as the main one.

By using media queries, we can create responsive designs that adapt. This is not just about aesthetics, but about optimizing the user's experience. If we apply the Pareto Principle here, which is often useful, it's evident that a relatively small adjustment in the design can lead to a large improvement in user experience. So, the practical application? Start with a mobile-first approach. Design for the smallest screen and then use media queries to adjust and expand the design for larger screens. This ensures that no matter where your audience is, or what device they are using, they are getting the best possible presentation of your content.

Responsive design is like having a rubber band that stretches or shrinks to fit any size, so a website looks good on any screen, big or small. Adaptive design is like having a wardrobe with different outfits for different events. The website picks the right outfit (layout and content) for the device you're using, just like you choose the right clothes for a party or a workout.

If you're not using CSS media queries to control responsive behaviour in 2023 you need your head checking or you need to get out of the game. It's a very basic requirement for modern websites to ensure they look good on different devices.

While the article offers basic examples, it's crucial to know that media queries are much more versatile. For instance, you can target specific devices, or even use media features like prefers-color-scheme to detect if the user prefers a dark or light mode. It's not just about screen size and orientation.

We all agree that media queries in HTML are essential tools for creating responsive web designs. However, if breakpoints are not defined correctly, it can lead to issues in intermediate resolutions. This means that while the website might look perfect on a mobile device and a desktop or tablet, it might appear distorted or dysfunctional on other specific resolutions. Incorrectly set breakpoints can lead to overlapping elements, text that's too large or too small, and other visual discrepancies that can degrade the user experience

All of the web design I do begins with the mobile experience. From there, I build it out to the desktop. Media queries are essential to understand for any front-end designer or developer. Ensuring that designs look correct on rotated mobile can be frustrating at times, but people do use their phones rotated, so I believe it's important.

First, identify the breakpoints where your design needs to adapt. ???? Next, create your media query by wrapping your CSS styles inside the '@media' rule. This is where the fun begins! Specify the conditions for your styles to kick in, like max-width or orientation.???? Adjust the layout, font sizes, or even hide or display elements as needed. It's like having a personal stylist who tailors your website's appearance for different devices. ??????? Remember, to make your website truly responsive, use multiple media queries to cover a range of screen sizes and orientations. Experiment, tweak, and view the changes in action by resizing your browser window or testing on various devices.?????

It has a pretty simple and straightforward explanation and use cases (and it could be improved with more deeper examples and technical explanation). What bothers me in this paragraph is the automatic translation (it’s showing a Brazilian portuguese localized text): some technical keywords should NEVER be translated because it will only lead to confusion. A nice example is the ‘media query’ keyword: no matter the language we are using to talk/write it should always relate to it as “media query”. It gets even worse when combined with other localized keywords like @rule or stylesheet

A good website needs to look good and have a good experience on every screen size. You never know what device someone is using to view your site. It could be a 1080p monitor, an iPhone 8, a Galaxy S23 Ultra, or even an 8k TV. By using media queries, you can create styles for your site that are tailored to certain criteria, like a minimum or maximum screen size. User experience and design need to be considered on more than just desktop and mobile phone sizes.

Bearing in mind up to 80% of all web traffic comes through on a mobile, it's madness to think most web designers start by designing for desktop then working back. Best practise is to design "mobile first" then work outwards. This helps ensure great design on all devices.

Accessibility and readability receive a significant boost through media queries. You can fine-tune text size, spacing, and contrast, making your content legible for all users, including those with disabilities. This commitment to inclusivity expands your potential audience. One of the most valuable benefits is future-proofing. Media queries allow your site to gracefully adapt to emerging devices and technologies, ensuring its relevance over time without the need for frequent overhauls. In summary, media queries are an essential tool in web design, improving the user experience, website performance, accessibility, and future-proofing your digital presence.

Media queries are indeed a powerful tool for enhancing UX and UI. I'd add that they're essential for web accessibility, allowing you to adapt content and navigation for people using assistive technologies. Ever considered how media queries can make your site more accessible?

Media queries enable your design to adapt flawlessly across various devices and screen sizes, ensuring a delightful user experience. ???? Picture this: your website magically transforms from a desktop masterpiece to a pocket-sized marvel on smartphones. It's like having a shape-shifting superhero guarding your web presence! ??♂??? Media queries also boost your website's performance by optimizing content for specific devices. No more excessive loading of unnecessary elements on mobile or squinting at teeny tiny text on larger screens. It's a win-win! ???? With media queries, you can customize layouts, fonts, and even hide or reveal elements based on screen characteristics. It's like having a tailor-made suit for every viewer! ????

The article mentions mobile-first design, which is excellent advice. Another best practice is to avoid overly complex queries that could make your CSS hard to maintain. Keeping your media queries simple and well-commented can save you headaches down the line.

Firstly, start with a mobile-first approach. Design for small screens first, then gradually enhance for larger ones. It's like building a solid foundation before adding those fancy architectural elements! ????? Next, keep your media queries organized and tidy. Group them logically based on screen size breakpoints, making your code as neat???? Keep it streamlined and efficient, like a smooth and well-edited film script. No unnecessary drama, just focus on what truly matters! ?????? Oh! Try your design on various devices, browsers, and orientations. It's like rehearsing for a grand performance to ensure your website steals the show on every stage. ???? Finally, don't forget about accessibility. ????

Keep it simple! Make sure to use descriptive media queries that are easy to understand and maintain. Second, try to keep your CSS styles as modular as possible, so that they can be easily updated or replaced if needed. Be sure to test your website across different devices and screen sizes to ensure that it looks and behaves as expected.

When they say "mobile first" they just mean to remember that most of your traffic will likely come in through phone to check out your project. You can almost create a different phone experience all together from desktop.

If the teams can work together on the design phase then the css could be cleaner using media queries to separate the layout and code. The less css classes that needs to be changed in media queries block the better. So being able to see all the different screen designs together, developers can logically know what code needs to be separated or reused. Most importantly, don't overdo it and lots of testing.

While resources like MDN Web Docs, CSS-Tricks, and W3Schools offer foundational knowledge, it's also beneficial to explore other eLearning platforms and forums where developers share real-world challenges and solutions. Websites like Stack Overflow or web development blogs can provide practical insights into common issues faced when implementing media queries. By diversifying the sources of knowledge, one can gain a holistic understanding of media queries and their application in various scenarios. Moreover, leveraging artificial intelligence coding tools and AI-driven platforms, can provide instant assistance and insights on the topic.

Aside from those educational platforms, it is better to dive yourself as well to communities who are in the same field of expertise. Learn through others, thru their works and practices.

Interactive Learning Platforms: Websites like Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, and Coursera often offer interactive courses and exercises on responsive design and media queries, which can be more engaging than traditional tutorials. Books: There are many great books on responsive web design that dive deep into media queries. Titles by renowned authors in the web development field, such as Ethan Marcotte’s "Responsive Web Design," can provide more structured learning. Forums and Communities: Joining web development forums like Stack Overflow or dedicated communities like the Reddit r/webdev subreddit can be beneficial. You can ask specific questions, learn from real-world problems, and get insights from experienced developers.

One aspect not covered is the performance impact of excessive or poorly written media queries. They can slow down a website, negating some of the UX benefits you were aiming for. Tools like Google Lighthouse can help you identify performance issues related to your CSS, including media queries. Have you checked the performance impact of your media queries?

It is a poor practice to use media queries to hide or show divisions with the same content on the same page based on screen size. Example: A user has a desktop version of a division and a mobile version of the division on the same page where as media queries are used to show either or based on the users device. The reason its poor practice is because of the effect it has on SEO. If there are 2 of the same divisions on a page with the same content, even though one device version is hidden, search engines still sees both. Using media queries in this manor only works for landing pages that have been blocked from Google Indexing.

To ensure your website design shines bright, here are some additional considerations: 1??Optimize Performance: Compress files, minify CSS, and use caching techniques for a swift and efficient site. 2??Content Strategy: Tailor your content for different devices, ensuring clarity and engagement. 3??User Experience: Craft touch-friendly interactions, intuitive navigation, and legible typography. 4??Ongoing Maintenance: Update media queries as technology evolves, keeping your design future-proofed. Now, embark on your Top Level Traffic journey, creating remarkable experiences that captivate users! ?????

If you're looking into scalable design systems, I'd recommend adapting container queries when dealing with responsive behavior. It takes a much more granular approach and scales to parent elements rather than the browser window.

Media queries are a powerful tool in a web designer's arsenal. When used judiciously and in conjunction with other best practices, they can create a seamless and delightful experience for users across a myriad of devices.