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General Discussion Responsive Layout

Do i have to start with a mobile design first?

I'm currently doing front-end web development and on the 2nd project. It says "Create a mobile first design" but do I really have to start with it? As I could do the desktop version first to make it easier on me. I know its best practice to do mobile design first but it's already designed for us

2 Answers

Jacob Dillson
Jacob Dillson
2,932 Points

You sort of answered your question within its own body.

To design anything on mobile first keeps the design user friendly for all devices. You don't have to, but it is a general practice most front-end developers use. If you plan on doing anything with front-end development, you should always start with mobile first.

Yeah I get thats its good practice but Im not actually designing anything

Since it's a tech degree project, and the project requirements says: "Create a mobile first design", my assumption would be that they are looking for the CSS to be laid out in a mobile first manner with media queries for larger screen sizes. I would assume that they want it this way since best practices dictate using a mobile first layout. It's entirely possible you project would fail simply because it's not set up the way they're looking for.

I haven't done one of the tech degree programs, so don't hold me to the above comments. but that's my take on it.