Recent technology advancements have opened new possibilities for responsive web applications that are at the forefront of changing the way we think about designing a new product. We can maximize impact at all screen sizes because we are not limited to a design that is a compromise between all possible use cases. Usually this means keeping things flexible from a technical standpoint and design that is fluid and meant to change. This flexibility can start to translate into infinite possibilities.
At its simplest level, making a web application responsive means making sure that the design looks as good on a mobile device as it does on a desktop computer. When we design responsive websites we consider how it will be used to help decide which features should be eliminated to fit into the available space, which are altered to better fit the user’s needs, and eventually what we need to add. Sometimes it means simplified design trends such as flat design, which adapts easily to all device sizes and is starting to break free of the restraints of pixel-based graphics. At the same time it enables design with extra bells and whistles like full-screen, high resolution graphics and videos that can be removed for slower device connections.
As we continue to make improvements to these applications we think about maximizing the potential benefit we can offer the user. We may start to realize that the user is more interested in using this application while on the go than while sitting at a desk. Suddenly the users are no longer sitting at a desk, but maximizing their time while waiting for an appointment or checking on critical data while in transit. Maybe they even want to use the site on mobile and desktop at the same time. What starts with adapting a design to look good on all devices leads us on the path to developing products that evolve to help us discover new use cases.