CSS is written in shorthand for the most part due to the number of tools that we have at our disposal. Plugins can be run on the same page as the elements they affect, but in order for them to apply styles, they must be written directly into the HTML or use certain CSS rules to toggle through class names. At the end of the day, web designers must generate and write the CSS for a webpage before it ever loads. The future of responsive web design is going to force businesses to move away from these CSS plugins.

The problem with this style is that web designers must customize and configure these plugins for every layout that a business uses. Also, this whole process is even more difficult for those who use JavaScript to write their styles because plugin logic and CSS styles are more difficult to keep together while making adjustments.

Typos present another severe problem. When shorthand is being used to write in these CSS styles, and a mistake is made, then that mistake is multiplied into a large mess. Using plugins creates an opportunity for potential failure. Overall, this archaic way of creating websites makes for poor user experience.

What is Responsive Web Design?

Responsive web design is a big topic right now since businesses are looking for methods to diversify the way in which people access their website. People are using so many devices to browse the web that it’s important for businesses to create a website that correctly displays across all platforms. Responsive web design ensures this. Now let’s take a closer look at some of the elements of responsive web design that you need to keep in mind.

Media Queries

CSS3 works with all the same types of media as its predecessors, including a lot of newer support features. For instance, CSS3 supports orientations like max-width and device-width. Moreover, any devices that are designed after its release will naturally work with CSS3.

CSS3 Media Queries

With CSS3 media queries, businesses can set the minimum and maximum width to an exact number, creating a seamless experience across all devices. However, if a device requests a number outside of this range, then the styles will be ignored. Most businesses will place all of these queries into a single style sheet so that they are not clogging up their system with multiple requests. Sometimes, a service company might prefer to link special style sheets to specific queries, which is a good option as long as the benefits outweigh the minor efficiency loss.

JavaScript

We also have the option to use JavaScript as the backup when a device does not support the previous options that we discussed. There’s already a premade library that allows browsers to support CSS3 queries so you can just grab one of these and include it in the script. My point is that your website should use JavaScript as a backup to CSS3 media queries so that users who happen to be using older browsers will be able to view the website. Even though the future of responsive web design is media queries, we’ll still need to make sure older users are compatible.

What Are Element Queries?

An element query is a system used by designers to test whether certain elements are being applied to a website. The overall idea is simple to understand. It works almost exactly the same as a media query, but it’s used for a parent or ancestor element rather than the specific viewpoint.

Element queries allow designers to create a component that might be styled one way in a specific area (like a header) but designed another way in a different area. Furthermore, there is no need to manually specify which element is shown in each area of the website since each element is sized differently.

Element Queries are the Future of Responsive Web Design

Web design companies like the Artwork Abode understand that element queries are the future of responsive web design. In order to get a better look at this fact, we need to start at the very beginning.

Responsive web design became a necessity as the world was introduced to an army of different devices. So we needed a way to get a single website to work across multiple devices that use a variety of browsers to access the internet. We started to see business approaches known as “Mobile First” and “Desktop First” but now we have better design tools at our disposal. In short, we’re not forced to build websites for specific screen sizes. Thus, we have responsive web design.

Media queries allow designers to create unique rules based on the specific environment. For instance, if a smaller screen is used to access a website, then the website would follow specific rules for that screen. Thus, the user gets an amazing web browsing experience. That same website would expand when being viewed on a PC browser since the screen size is larger.

Technology continues to grow at a rapid pace so we can expect the fundamentals of web queries to be forced into adapting as we move forward.

There are a lot of reasons why element queries are essential to the future of web marketing. This is just the beginning of element queries, so they still have a long way to go before they will become the main staple for businesses. This is most likely to happen from 2020 on wards since a surge of new 5G technology is expected to flood the market.

Responsive Web Design Will Change in 2020

The importance of creating responsive websites is not a secret anymore, but this is going to expand in 2020. We’ll see even more screen sizes along with different styles of smartphones. Therefore, technologies may force responsive web design to evolve. For instance, we’re already starting to see the advent of fold able screens and stretchable surfaces. Websites will need to respond to these technologies as we move forward.