Managing Responsive 
Design Projects 
@andrewsmyk 
FITC WebUnleashed 2014
www.andrewsmyk.com/webunleashed
Tweet using hashtags: #WebU14 #managingRWD
@andrewsmyk 
640 x 480 
800 x 600 
1024 x 768 
1200 x 900 
1920 x 1200
@andrewsmyk 
1.5” to 50”
@andrewsmyk
Leveraging mobile to increase 
Wrestling with a responsive projects 
student engagement 
Andrew Smyk 
HighWeb Ed – Arkansas 
July 27, 2012 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
1. Content Strategy 
2. Agile 
3. Prototyping 
4. Art Direction 
@andrewsmyk
1. Content Strategy 
2. Agile 
3. Prototyping 
4. Art Direction 
@andrewsmyk
Edit content ruthlessly
Pro Tip: Document all the Types & Models of Devices You Encounter 
@andrewsmyk
Important! Note the Devices of Decision Makers in the Room 
@andrewsmyk
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/154/8/6/retro_robot_from_outer_space_by_justsantiago-d5246bu.jpg
Stakeholders
@andrewsmyk 
Content Modeling & Strategy 
• Content Engagement 
• Content Curation 
• Rank and Prioritize Content
Avoid coding or selecting frameworks 
before content modeling
Avoid coding or selecting frameworks 
before content modeling
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk 
Dynamic Wireframe
@andrewsmyk
????? 
@andrewsmyk
RUN!!! 
@andrewsmyk 
Zombie 
Apocalypse!!
@andrewsmyk 
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@andrewsmyk 
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A/B Test Content Models 
and early lo-fi Wireframes
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/154/8/6/retro_robot_from_outer_space_by_justsantiago-d5246bu.jpg
1. Content Strategy 
2. Agile 
3. Prototyping 
4. Art Direction 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
via Michelle Cryan -@sporkles
@andrewsmyk 
Pro Tip: Avoid Designing and Developing Projects in Silos
@andrewsmyk
1. Content Strategy 
2. Waterfall vs. Agile 
3. Prototyping 
4. Art Direction 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk 
Prototyping 
“Now we can think about users and their 
needs as it relates to content.”
“Work in Photoshop and Fireworks by all means 
(I do). Make static visuals as rich and as detailed 
as you want them to be.” 
Just don’t set the wrong expectations 
by showing them to your clients. 
~ Andy Clarke 
@andrewsmyk
Logo needs to be “bluer”
desktop + + 
main internal specialized 
variants? 
DAYS?
desktop + + 
main internal specialized 
tablet 
smart phone 
shiny & new 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
variants? 
DAYS?
Logo needs to be “bluer”
desktop + + 
main internal specialized 
tablet 
smart phone 
shiny & new 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
variants? 
DAYS?
How blue is our logo?
desktop + + 
main internal specialized 
tablet 
smart phone 
shiny & new 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
variants? 
DAYS?
We need to see another design
desktop + + 
main internal specialized 
tablet 
smart phone 
shiny & new 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
+ + 
main internal specialized 
variants? 
DAYS?
Stop Wrestling with Static Mockups 
@andrewsmyk
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitch/4286136925
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitch/4286136925 
No Usability Testing
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitch/4286136925 
Lack Interaction
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitch/4286136925 
Don’t Show Transitions
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitch/4286136925 
Lack Fluidity
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitch/4286136925 
Don’t Display Web Fonts
“Design consistency is not about pixels.” 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
“A prototype is worth a thousand words” 
Leigh Howells - @leigh 
@andrewsmyk
“A prototype is worth a thousand meetings” 
Mike Davidson - @mikeindustries 
@andrewsmyk
Pro Tip: A Working Prototype can Help Make Decisions Faster
Think about the ecosystem, not just the devices: 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
https://twitter.com/preetbanerjee/status/509438618683727873 @andrewsmyk
Use the right tools & technologies 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk 
am I responsive? 
ish. 
remote preview 
Ghostlab (license) 
Edge Inspect (CC subscription)
1. Content Strategy 
2. Waterfall vs. Agile 
3. Prototyping 
4. Art Direction 
@andrewsmyk
Logo needs to be “bluer”
@andrewsmyk 
Visual inventory, you say… 
Responsive style tiles, you say…
catalog of assumptions
@andrewsmyk 
Responsive Style Tile
User Testing, Tools and TPS Cover Sheets
Pro Tip: Best Place to Test on Devices? Visit a Mobile Carrier’s Store 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk 
Pro Tip: Build a Device Library
Plan for gestures and taps.
Help users with error and miss taps
Plan for the “Fat Finger”
Design for the thumb
Pro Tip: A Touch Template helps design Interactions
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
u 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
#ffly #rwd
i
They share a common infrastructure, but mobile is 
NOT the traditional web 
@andrewsmyk
l 
Mobile is a different environment and requires 
new thinking and design considerations. 
@andrewsmyk
Harness the power of a missile throwing robot 
with laser beam eyes on a UNICORN. 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk
1. Content Strategy 
2. Agile 
3. Prototyping 
4. Art Direction 
@andrewsmyk
@andrewsmyk 
Questions?
Thank you!
@andrewsmyk 
www.andrewsmyk.com/webunleashed
Tweet using hashtags: #WebU14 #managingRWD
@andrewsmyk 
Questions?

Managing Responsive Design Projects

Editor's Notes

  • #5 Solution – go responsive
  • #32 We often think of this as the zombie apocalypse.
  • #33 As educators, we often think of this as the zombie apocalypse.
  • #108 Solution – go responsive
  • #119 Solution – go responsive