Unlike the newer solution of responsive web development, adaptive web design has been used throughout the past decade. What is it? Why is it important to my website?
Adaptive web design is about creating interfaces that meet the visitor’s device-, platform- or resolution-dependent environment. According to developer and Adaptive Web Design author Aaron Gustafson, “Adaptive web design is just another term for progressive enhancement…a…holistic approach to web design in that it takes into account varying levels of markup, CSS, JavaScript and assistive technology support.”
Progressive enhancement, perhaps another name for adaptive web design, was coined by Steven Champeon in articles and at this SXSW presentation during March 2003. While conversations about fluid grid layouts that respond to different screen resolutions have shifted to responsive web design and development during the past two years, adaptive web design is still relevant because of its holistic approach to web design.
Throughout the past decade, adaptive web design has led to the development of screen-dependent websites. One for desktop visitors. One for mobile visitors. Two separate solutions to maintain. While this has certainly improved branding online and led to greater opportunities for conversion optimization, engagement and, ultimately, ROI, many aspects of adaptive web design have changed drastically over the years.
One movement born out of the concept of adaptive web design has been the idea that content and presentation can be fluid and integrated in ways that respond on the fly to various environments, rather than fixate on specific sets of guidelines or limiting criteria. This movement has led to the concept of responsive web design and development.
Three years ago, one website for desktops and one website for mobile may have worked well for most businesses, but emergence and popularity of tablets, phones and e-book readers have led us in a new direction that demands responsive web solutions.
With our own preference to use responsive web design and development, will we ever consider the progressive enhancement idea of adaptive web design? Of course. Some Web-based applications require specific customization for devices or screen sizes. In fact, both adaptive and responsive may be implemented to optimize a single project.
In future posts, we’ll discuss the power of using both solutions. Subscribe to our newsletter.
