Think Square, Be Cool: Bridging the Gap Between Designers and Developers for Modern Web Mastery

You are so square!? How many of y'all have heard of this saying before?? It was used during the baby boomer generation to mean someone that is out of touch with modern trends and ideas.? With modern design, a square does not look all that cool.?

Below is a closer look at the factors that contribute to this perception:

1. Association with Rigidity:? Squares often symbolize rigidity and conformity. In a world that values creativity and uniqueness, the regular, predictable nature of a square might appear dull. Unlike more organic shapes that might suggest movement and fluidity, squares have a static and unchanging appearance.
2. Cultural Symbolism:? Just as the colloquial term "square" denotes someone who is conventional and perhaps resistant to change, the geometric shape can evoke a sense of old-fashioned or conservative aesthetics. Modern design frequently embraces curves and irregular forms, which can be perceived as more innovative or cutting-edge.
3. Visual Impact:? The equidistant sides and symmetrical properties of a square might make it visually predictable, which can be less stimulating in creative design contexts. Dynamic and asymmetric designs tend to capture and retain attention more effectively because they often require more visual engagement to process.
4. Innovation in Shape Use:? As design trends evolve, there’s a push towards reimagining traditional forms. Squares and other simple geometric figures are being surpassed by complex and hybrid shapes. With advances in technology, designers have more tools at their disposal to create intricate and novel shapes, which can make squares seem outdated or overly simplistic.

The last point (#4) is quite interesting because I believe it is one of the reasons why there is a divide between designers and developers.? You see, us web devs needs to think in squares... ok... I admit, I'm making things too compact.? We devs actually need to think in rectangles but I’m using square because of its playful pun.? Anyway, to think in squares allows devs to place things nicely in the DOM's tree structure of parent-child relationships.? This also simplifies the calculations of dimensions needed to be done for responsiveness.?

I would argue that to narrow the designer / developer divide, designers need to think more in terms of squares.? Here are several reasons why it might be beneficial for designers to incorporate square or grid-based thinking into their process:

1. Easier Implementation:? Modern CSS frameworks like CSS Grid and Flexbox are designed to work well with square-based or grid systems. Designing with these structures in mind can make the translation from design to code more straightforward. Thinking in terms of grids can help in creating designs that adapt more seamlessly to different screen sizes, making the developer's job easier in implementing responsive web design.
2. Consistent Spacing and Alignment:? Using a square or grid-based approach ensures consistent spacing and alignment across various interface elements, which can dramatically improve the overall aesthetic and functional consistency of the final product. Grids help in structuring content in a way that naturally leads the viewer through the intended flow of information, maintaining both aesthetic appeal and functionality.
3. Improved Collaboration:? When designers use grid systems, both designers and developers have a common framework and language to discuss the layout. This can enhance understanding and reduce misinterpretation during the development process. Modifications and iterations can be executed more efficiently when working within a defined grid system, as changes are generally easier to manage within a systematic layout.
4. Enhanced User Experience:? Grid-based designs can contribute to a more predictable and easy-to-follow user navigation system, improving overall user experience. Grid layouts help in organizing content more logically and clearly, which can be particularly beneficial in meeting web accessibility standards.
5. Facilitation of Design Scalability:? Thinking in squares or rectangles can encourage a modular approach to design, where components can be reused and reassembled in different configurations without losing coherence. Designs based on a square or grid foundation are typically easier to scale across multiple platforms (e.g., from web to mobile).

While designers often favor more fluid, organic shapes for aesthetic reasons, incorporating grid-based thinking can provide pragmatic advantages in the production process. Aligning more closely with the technical frameworks used by developers can streamline the development process, enhance functionality, and ultimately lead to a more cohesive final product. By adopting a mindset that considers both creative aspirations and technical constraints, designers can bridge the gap with developers, leading to more efficient and successful collaborations.

Well, there you have it!? It's ok to be square or think in grids.? In fact, as a designer, your dev teams might just love you more for it.? So, what do y'all think?? You are so square could mean you are so cool!? ;)