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CSS How to Make a Website Responsive Web Design and Testing Build a Three Column Layout

Why are the email, phone, twitter icons running into my text when I expand my layout beyond the mobile site size?

Here is my html code for the contact page:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
   <meta charset="utf-8">
    <title>Ian T. Davidson | Public Policy Practitioner</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="css/normalize.css">
    <link href='http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Changa+One:400,400italic|Open+Sans:400italic,700italic,400,700,800' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="css/main.css">
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="css/responsive.css">
  </head>
  <body>
    <header>
      <a href="index.html" id="logo">
        <h1>Ian T. Davidson</h1>
        <h2>Public Policy Practitioner</h2>
      </a> 
      <nav>
        <ul>
          <li><a href="index.html" >Portfolio</a></li>
          <li><a href="about.html">About</a></li>
          <li><a href="contact.html" class="selected">Contact</a></li>
        </ul>
      </nav>
     </header>
    <div id="wrapper">
      <section id="primary">
        <h3>General Information</h3>
        <p>While I am currently working </p>
        <p>Please only use phone contact for urgent inquires. Otherwise, email and Twitter are the best way to get a hold of me.</p>
      </section>
      <section id="secondary">
        <h3>Contact Details</h3>
        <ul class="contact-info">
          <li class="phone"><a href="tel: 253-797-0164">253-797-0164</a></li>
          <li class="mail"><a href="mailto:iantdavidson@gmail.com">iantdavidson@gmail.com</a></li>
          <li class="twitter"><a href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?screen_name=ian_t_davidson">@ian_t_davidson</a></li>
        </ul>

      </section>
      <footer>
        <a href="http://twitter.com/ian_t_davidson"><img src="img/twitter-wrap.png" alt="Twitter Logo" class="social-icon"></a>
        <a href="http://facebook.com/iantdavidson"><img src="img/facebook-wrap.png" alt="Facebook Logo" class="social-icon"></a>
        <p>&copy; 2014 Ian T. Davidson</p>
      </footer>
    </div>
  </body>
</html>

Here is my CSS code for the responsive bit:

@media screen and (min-width: 480px) {

  /**************************
  TWO COLUMN LAYOUT
  ***************************/

  #primary  {
    width: 50%;
    float: left;
  }    

  #seconday {
    width: 40%;
    float: right;
  }
}

@media screen and (min-width: 660px){

}

I'm not sure if this is helpful/necessary, but here is my normalize.css code

/*! normalize.css v1.1.0 | MIT License | git.io/normalize */

/* ==========================================================================
   HTML5 display definitions
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * Correct `block` display not defined in IE 6/7/8/9 and Firefox 3.
 */

article,
aside,
details,
figcaption,
figure,
footer,
header,
hgroup,
main,
nav,
section,
summary {
    display: block;
}

/**
 * Correct `inline-block` display not defined in IE 6/7/8/9 and Firefox 3.
 */

audio,
canvas,
video {
    display: inline-block;
    *display: inline;
    *zoom: 1;
}

/**
 * Prevent modern browsers from displaying `audio` without controls.
 * Remove excess height in iOS 5 devices.
 */

audio:not([controls]) {
    display: none;
    height: 0;
}

/**
 * Address styling not present in IE 7/8/9, Firefox 3, and Safari 4.
 * Known issue: no IE 6 support.
 */

[hidden] {
    display: none;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Base
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * 1. Correct text resizing oddly in IE 6/7 when body `font-size` is set using
 *    `em` units.
 * 2. Prevent iOS text size adjust after orientation change, without disabling
 *    user zoom.
 */

html {
    font-size: 100%; /* 1 */
    -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; /* 2 */
    -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; /* 2 */
}

/**
 * Address `font-family` inconsistency between `textarea` and other form
 * elements.
 */

html,
button,
input,
select,
textarea {
    font-family: sans-serif;
}

/**
 * Address margins handled incorrectly in IE 6/7.
 */

body {
    margin: 0;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Links
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * Address `outline` inconsistency between Chrome and other browsers.
 */

a:focus {
    outline: thin dotted;
}

/**
 * Improve readability when focused and also mouse hovered in all browsers.
 */

a:active,
a:hover {
    outline: 0;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Typography
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * Address font sizes and margins set differently in IE 6/7.
 * Address font sizes within `section` and `article` in Firefox 4+, Safari 5,
 * and Chrome.
 */

h1 {
    font-size: 2em;
    margin: 0.67em 0;
}

h2 {
    font-size: 1.5em;
    margin: 0.83em 0;
}

h3 {
    font-size: 1.17em;
    margin: 1em 0;
}

h4 {
    font-size: 1em;
    margin: 1.33em 0;
}

h5 {
    font-size: 0.83em;
    margin: 1.67em 0;
}

h6 {
    font-size: 0.67em;
    margin: 2.33em 0;
}

/**
 * Address styling not present in IE 7/8/9, Safari 5, and Chrome.
 */

abbr[title] {
    border-bottom: 1px dotted;
}

/**
 * Address style set to `bolder` in Firefox 3+, Safari 4/5, and Chrome.
 */

b,
strong {
    font-weight: bold;
}

blockquote {
    margin: 1em 40px;
}

/**
 * Address styling not present in Safari 5 and Chrome.
 */

dfn {
    font-style: italic;
}

/**
 * Address differences between Firefox and other browsers.
 * Known issue: no IE 6/7 normalization.
 */

hr {
    -moz-box-sizing: content-box;
    box-sizing: content-box;
    height: 0;
}

/**
 * Address styling not present in IE 6/7/8/9.
 */

mark {
    background: #ff0;
    color: #000;
}

/**
 * Address margins set differently in IE 6/7.
 */

p,
pre {
    margin: 1em 0;
}

/**
 * Correct font family set oddly in IE 6, Safari 4/5, and Chrome.
 */

code,
kbd,
pre,
samp {
    font-family: monospace, serif;
    _font-family: 'courier new', monospace;
    font-size: 1em;
}

/**
 * Improve readability of pre-formatted text in all browsers.
 */

pre {
    white-space: pre;
    white-space: pre-wrap;
    word-wrap: break-word;
}

/**
 * Address CSS quotes not supported in IE 6/7.
 */

q {
    quotes: none;
}

/**
 * Address `quotes` property not supported in Safari 4.
 */

q:before,
q:after {
    content: '';
    content: none;
}

/**
 * Address inconsistent and variable font size in all browsers.
 */

small {
    font-size: 80%;
}

/**
 * Prevent `sub` and `sup` affecting `line-height` in all browsers.
 */

sub,
sup {
    font-size: 75%;
    line-height: 0;
    position: relative;
    vertical-align: baseline;
}

sup {
    top: -0.5em;
}

sub {
    bottom: -0.25em;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Lists
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * Address margins set differently in IE 6/7.
 */

dl,
menu,
ol,
ul {
    margin: 1em 0;
}

dd {
    margin: 0 0 0 40px;
}

/**
 * Address paddings set differently in IE 6/7.
 */

menu,
ol,
ul {
    padding: 0 0 0 40px;
}

/**
 * Correct list images handled incorrectly in IE 7.
 */

nav ul,
nav ol {
    list-style: none;
    list-style-image: none;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Embedded content
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * 1. Remove border when inside `a` element in IE 6/7/8/9 and Firefox 3.
 * 2. Improve image quality when scaled in IE 7.
 */

img {
    border: 0; /* 1 */
    -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; /* 2 */
}

/**
 * Correct overflow displayed oddly in IE 9.
 */

svg:not(:root) {
    overflow: hidden;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Figures
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * Address margin not present in IE 6/7/8/9, Safari 5, and Opera 11.
 */

figure {
    margin: 0;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Forms
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * Correct margin displayed oddly in IE 6/7.
 */

form {
    margin: 0;
}

/**
 * Define consistent border, margin, and padding.
 */

fieldset {
    border: 1px solid #c0c0c0;
    margin: 0 2px;
    padding: 0.35em 0.625em 0.75em;
}

/**
 * 1. Correct color not being inherited in IE 6/7/8/9.
 * 2. Correct text not wrapping in Firefox 3.
 * 3. Correct alignment displayed oddly in IE 6/7.
 */

legend {
    border: 0; /* 1 */
    padding: 0;
    white-space: normal; /* 2 */
    *margin-left: -7px; /* 3 */
}

/**
 * 1. Correct font size not being inherited in all browsers.
 * 2. Address margins set differently in IE 6/7, Firefox 3+, Safari 5,
 *    and Chrome.
 * 3. Improve appearance and consistency in all browsers.
 */

button,
input,
select,
textarea {
    font-size: 100%; /* 1 */
    margin: 0; /* 2 */
    vertical-align: baseline; /* 3 */
    *vertical-align: middle; /* 3 */
}

/**
 * Address Firefox 3+ setting `line-height` on `input` using `!important` in
 * the UA stylesheet.
 */

button,
input {
    line-height: normal;
}

/**
 * Address inconsistent `text-transform` inheritance for `button` and `select`.
 * All other form control elements do not inherit `text-transform` values.
 * Correct `button` style inheritance in Chrome, Safari 5+, and IE 6+.
 * Correct `select` style inheritance in Firefox 4+ and Opera.
 */

button,
select {
    text-transform: none;
}

/**
 * 1. Avoid the WebKit bug in Android 4.0.* where (2) destroys native `audio`
 *    and `video` controls.
 * 2. Correct inability to style clickable `input` types in iOS.
 * 3. Improve usability and consistency of cursor style between image-type
 *    `input` and others.
 * 4. Remove inner spacing in IE 7 without affecting normal text inputs.
 *    Known issue: inner spacing remains in IE 6.
 */

button,
html input[type="button"], /* 1 */
input[type="reset"],
input[type="submit"] {
    -webkit-appearance: button; /* 2 */
    cursor: pointer; /* 3 */
    *overflow: visible;  /* 4 */
}

/**
 * Re-set default cursor for disabled elements.
 */

button[disabled],
html input[disabled] {
    cursor: default;
}

/**
 * 1. Address box sizing set to content-box in IE 8/9.
 * 2. Remove excess padding in IE 8/9.
 * 3. Remove excess padding in IE 7.
 *    Known issue: excess padding remains in IE 6.
 */

input[type="checkbox"],
input[type="radio"] {
    box-sizing: border-box; /* 1 */
    padding: 0; /* 2 */
    *height: 13px; /* 3 */
    *width: 13px; /* 3 */
}

/**
 * 1. Address `appearance` set to `searchfield` in Safari 5 and Chrome.
 * 2. Address `box-sizing` set to `border-box` in Safari 5 and Chrome
 *    (include `-moz` to future-proof).
 */

input[type="search"] {
    -webkit-appearance: textfield; /* 1 */
    -moz-box-sizing: content-box;
    -webkit-box-sizing: content-box; /* 2 */
    box-sizing: content-box;
}

/**
 * Remove inner padding and search cancel button in Safari 5 and Chrome
 * on OS X.
 */

input[type="search"]::-webkit-search-cancel-button,
input[type="search"]::-webkit-search-decoration {
    -webkit-appearance: none;
}

/**
 * Remove inner padding and border in Firefox 3+.
 */

button::-moz-focus-inner,
input::-moz-focus-inner {
    border: 0;
    padding: 0;
}

/**
 * 1. Remove default vertical scrollbar in IE 6/7/8/9.
 * 2. Improve readability and alignment in all browsers.
 */

textarea {
    overflow: auto; /* 1 */
    vertical-align: top; /* 2 */
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Tables
   ========================================================================== */

/**
 * Remove most spacing between table cells.
 */

table {
    border-collapse: collapse;
    border-spacing: 0;
}

And here is my main.css in case that is useful:

/**************************
GENERAL
***************************/

body {
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
}

#wrapper {
  max-width: 940px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 5%;
}
a {
  text-decoration:none;
}

img {
 max-width:100%; 
}

h3 {
  margin: 0 0 1em 0;
}


/**************************
HEADING
***************************/

header {
  float:left;
  margin: 0 0 30px 0;
  padding: 5px 0 0 0; 
  width: 100%;
}

#logo {
  text-align: center;
  margin: 0;
}


h1 {
  font-family:'Changa One', sans-serif;
  margin: 15px 0;
  font-size: 1.75em;
  font-weight: normal;
  line-height: 0.8em;
}

h2{
 font-size: 0.75em;
 margin: -5px 0 0;
 font-weight: normal;

}


/**************************
NAVIGATION
***************************/

nav {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 10px 0;
  margin: 20px 0 0;

}

nav ul {
  list-style: none;
  margin: 0 10px;
  padding: 0;
}

nav li{ 
display: inline-block;
}

nav a {
  font-weight: 800;
  padding: 15px 10px;
}
/**************************
FOOTER
***************************/

footer {
 font-size: 0.75em;
 text-align: center;
 clear: both;
 padding-top:50px;  
 color: #ccc;
}


.social-icon {
  width: 20px;
  height: 20px;
  margin: 0 5px;
}

/**************************
GENERAL
***************************/
header {
  background: #6ab47b;
  border-color: #599a68;
}


/**************************
PAGE: PORTFOLIO
***************************/
#gallery {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  list-style: none;
}
#gallery li {
  float: left;
  width: 45%;
  margin: 2.5%;
  background-color: #f5f5f5;
  color: #bdc3c7;  
}  

#gallery li a p {
    margin: 5%;
    font-size: 0.75em;
    color: #bdc3c7;
}

/**************************
PAGE: ABOUT
***************************/
.profile-photo {
  display: block;
  max-width: 150px;
  margin: 0 auto 30px;
  border-radius: 100%;
}

/**************************
PAGE: CONTACT
***************************/
.contact-info{
  margin: 0;
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  font-size: 0.9em;
}

.contact-info a{
  display: block;
  min-height: 20px;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
  background-size: 20px 20px;
  padding: 0 0 0 30px;
  margin: 0 0 0 10px;
}

 .contact-info li.phone a{background-image: url('../img/phone.png');
  }
  .contact-info li.mail a{background-image: url('../img/mail.png');
  }
  .contact-info li.twitter a{background-image: url('../img/twitter.png');
  }




/**************************
COLORS
***************************/
/*links */
a{
  color: #6ab47b;
}

  h1, h2 {
    color: #fff;
}

/* nav background on mobile */
nav {
  background: #599a68;
}

nav a, nav a:visited {
  color: #fff;
}

/* selected nav link */
nav a.selected, nav a:hover {
 color: #32673f; 
}

/* site body*/

body {
  background-color: #fff;
  color: #999;
}

Hopefully I provided enough information about the problem I am encountering. Thanks for your help.

2 Answers

rydavim
rydavim
18,813 Points

You've got a very minor typo in your responsive.css file. Should work as expected with the minor tweak commented below.

@media screen and (min-width: 480px) {

  /**************************
  TWO COLUMN LAYOUT
  ***************************/

  #primary  {
    width: 50%;
    float: left;
  }    

  #seconday {  /* This needs to be 'secondary' !!! */
    width: 40%;
    float: right;
  }
}

@media screen and (min-width: 660px){

}
Jonathan Grieve
MOD
Jonathan Grieve
Treehouse Moderator 91,252 Points

There's a lot of code to look through there but from what I gather of the way you describe your problem is that your elements are overlapping each other when you increase/decrease your browser window.

The way to get passed this is to position your elements relatively.

When you position your elements relatively, it means relative to it's parent element which could be a container or wrapper element.

e.g.

.container {
position: relative;
top: 0;
left: 0;
}

.element {
position: relative;
top: 0;
left: 0;

}

Absolute positioning, displays elements relative to the browser window.

Hope this helps. :)