Designing the Fluid Web
This week's lecture considered the challenges of designing for the fluid web, a web in which we have to consider design for proliferating devices and differing - and changing - patterns of consumption.
A modified and developed version of our slides (with notes) are available via Speaker Deck.
This Week's Recommended Book
With users visiting the web sites you build on an increasing array of devices - from mobiles to tablets to desktops - it's essential to think beyond the desktop and craft beautiful designs that anticipate and respond to your users' varied needs.
Ethan Marcotte's Responsive Web Design is the perfect primer on creating responsive web sites, exploring CSS techniques and design principles, including fluid grids, flexible images, and media queries, demonstrating how you can deliver a quality experience to your users no matter how large (or small) their display.
Get Started!
Unlike last week, this week there was no homework per se. What we'd like you to do from now on is to get started on a blog, containing research and prototyping, which will expect you to maintain on a weekly basis.
You are free to host your blog on your personal domain and can use whatever system you choose. Tumblr, WordPress.com, hell, even Blogger will do.
What we do require are three things:
- That the content is updated weekly.
- That an RSS feed is available.
- That the design you use is your own.
A link to the blog and the RSS feed should be available on the first page you land on when clicking on your name on the IMD showcases web site. In short, we need to be able to find your blog quickly and easily.
The technical and design proficiency will be judged by the prototyping carried out during the semester and by the Live Project, which will be introduced later this semester. The earlier you start prototyping, the more skills you will amass and the better your final outcome will be. Get started.
How much work are we expecting?
This is a 20 credit point module. Every credit point equates to 10 effort hours, so we're looking for 200 effort hours from you.
If you deduct the lectures (24 hours a a semester) and the lab time (24 hours a semester) this leaves 152 hours of self-directed study. Divided across the twelve weeks this amounts to just under two days a week of effort. Please bear this in mind as you create your research diaries. We need to see a substantial volume of work from you every week.
Remember, this is the module that builds in to your Major Project, use it to learn new skills and to expand your skillset. We'd like to see lots of prototyping in addition to lots of research. Surprise us with your discoveries and ensure that your weekly blog entries are a pleasure for us to read.