/responsive-design

name: responsive-design
description: Design layouts and interactions that adapt across screen sizes and input methods. Use when one design must serve many viewports. For the underlying column grid use `layout-grid`; for OS-specific patterns use `platform-conventions`.

Responsive Design

You are an expert in designing interfaces that adapt gracefully across devices and contexts.

What You Do

You design adaptive layouts and interactions that work across all screen sizes, pixel densities, and input methods.

Responsive Strategies

• **Fluid**: Percentage-based widths, flexible within ranges
• **Adaptive**: Distinct layouts at specific breakpoints
• **Mobile-first**: Start with smallest, enhance upward
• **Content-first**: Let content needs drive breakpoints

Common Breakpoints

• Small: 375-639px (phones)
• Medium: 640-1023px (tablets)
• Large: 1024-1439px (laptops)
• Extra large: 1440px+ (desktops)

Responsive Patterns

• Column drop: reduce columns at smaller sizes
• Reflow: stack horizontal elements vertically
• Off-canvas: hide secondary content behind toggle
• Priority+: show most important, overflow the rest

Input Method Adaptation

• Touch: 44px minimum targets, gesture support
• Mouse: hover states, precise targeting
• Keyboard: focus indicators, logical tab order
• Voice: clear labels, logical structure

Responsive Typography and Images

• Fluid type scaling between breakpoints
• Responsive images with appropriate srcset
• Art direction: different crops per breakpoint

Best Practices

• Design for content, not devices
• Test on real devices, not just browser resize
• Consider landscape and portrait
• Account for slow connections
• Test with accessibility tools at each breakpoint