What are the best practices for creating responsive and adaptive layouts for different devices and platforms?

1 Understand the context

The first step to creating responsive and adaptive layouts is to understand the context of your product and your users. What is the purpose of your product? Who are your target users and what are their needs, goals, and expectations? How will they access your product and in what situations? What are the technical constraints and opportunities of the devices and platforms you are targeting? By answering these questions, you can define the scope and requirements of your layout, and identify the key features and content that need to be prioritized and adapted.

2 Use a fluid grid

A fluid grid is a layout system that uses relative units, such as percentages, to define the width and height of the elements on the page, rather than fixed units, such as pixels. This allows the elements to resize and reposition themselves according to the available space on the screen, creating a flexible and consistent layout that can accommodate different devices and platforms. A fluid grid also helps you maintain the proportion and balance of your layout, and avoid unnecessary scrolling and zooming.

3 Apply breakpoints and media queries

Breakpoints and media queries are tools that allow you to apply different styles and layouts to your elements based on certain conditions, such as the screen size, orientation, resolution, or device type. For example, you can use breakpoints and media queries to change the font size, the number of columns, the alignment, or the visibility of your elements depending on the device or platform. Breakpoints and media queries help you create adaptive layouts that can respond to different scenarios and optimize the user experience.

4 Design for mobile first

Designing for mobile first means starting your layout design from the smallest screen size and then scaling up to larger ones. This approach helps you focus on the essential features and content of your product, and avoid cluttering your layout with unnecessary elements. It also helps you ensure that your layout is functional and accessible on mobile devices, which are often the primary or only way that users access your product. Designing for mobile first also makes it easier to add or modify elements for larger screens, rather than removing or hiding them.

5 Use flexible images and icons

Flexible images and icons are images and icons that can resize and adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions without losing quality or clarity. Flexible images and icons can be achieved by using vector graphics, such as SVG, or by using responsive image techniques, such as srcset or picture elements, that allow you to specify different versions of an image for different conditions. Flexible images and icons help you create visually appealing and consistent layouts that can enhance your product's identity and message.

6 Test and iterate

The final step to creating responsive and adaptive layouts is to test and iterate your design on different devices and platforms, and with real users. Testing and iterating your design can help you identify and fix any issues or errors that may arise from different screen sizes, orientations, resolutions, or device types. It can also help you evaluate and improve the usability, performance, and satisfaction of your product. Testing and iterating your design can also help you discover new opportunities and ideas for enhancing your layout and your product.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?