Look Out Not Inart 1

We are convinced by conventional thinking that we should design for smart phones first. Desktop computers are dinosaurs. Really? Stop looking at the world through pinholes. We are in a world of technology richness that just won't fit on a tiny screen. UI design shouldn't be based on shallow thinking. The idea of gluing on more stuff to address desktop screens later is missing out on designing with the desire to express more, present compelling content.

Smart phones are first a phone or quick-message device. They are multi-functional with incredible cameras and Internet connectivity. But should we really be doing our taxes on them, laying out the tracks for the next hit song, or creating drafting drawings for a new skyscraper? Computers are tools for the savvy to control their futures. Why limit that?

If your life is so small you only use a computer while sitting on a subway or drinking coffee, you're really not part of the greater tech-revolution that computers offer. Big screens should be in mind when laying out web designs. The small screens are a result of carefully extracting salient content but realizing a lot is going to be sacrificed.

To make great designs, deliver compelling content you need to be think big not small. What's the answer - design for big screens, think max-width not min-width. This is an important distinction because this paradigm shift in thinking heavily influences CSS layout. Your planning focuses on inclusion not exclusion. The content delivered will be more complete, have a beginning, middle, and end. Think story arch.

The argument is most people only use a smart phones to see the world, so it follows to design for smart phones first. That's marketing guy talk. Smart phones limit content period. They are just big enough to deliver effective ads. Great, but we live in a world where you should have a desire to maximize the power that technology offers. The people who really use a computer as a tool of their trade are important too. There is a world beyond social media. If you have something to say, say it on a big screen. Make your message mean something. Take advantage of the power of visual art and think big. Design for people that have an appetite for knowledge not just cool emojis.

Webpage or Newspaperart 2

There is a set of CSS property called 'columns' you should be aware of because it turns a webpage into a newspaper. There is 'column-count', 'column-gap', and 'column-rule' to use to really clean up the look and the page be a newspaper format.

There are actually eight column properties that you can use. Most browsers support this, but the webkit and mozilla backups are there to give support. So there is no reason not to start using this cool approach to blogging or building newspaper-like news letters.

The W3 Schools is a good place to start but there are an ever increasing list of YouTubers expounding on the virtues of column properties. Check it out.