Responsive design has evolved from a buzzword into an absolute necessity.
What started as a way to ensure websites looked good on both desktop and mobile has become a more nuanced, deliberate process—especially for custom and bespoke websites.
“Desktop and mobile are distinct experiences that should be designed and built to best suit their respective contexts and user behaviours,” says Rogan Jansen, co-founder and creative director at Cape Town-based design studio DashDigital.
“While the website as a whole remains a unified experience, the design and development considerations for each platform often require unique approaches.’
That doesn’t mean the website’s identity or overall look should drastically change between desktop and mobile.
Instead, designers must tailor specific components, interactions, and animations for each platform.
Mobile users interact differently from desktop users—smaller screens limit space, touch gestures replace mouse clicks, and users are often on the move rather than stationary.
“To achieve the best possible outcome for both experiences,” says Jansen, “a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t cut it.
Design and development must, at all times, adhere to best practices while also embracing the unique characteristics of each platform.”
Beyond Just ‘Responsive’—Designing for Experience
Clients frequently ask, “Will my website be responsive?” In today’s digital world, the answer is almost always ‘yes.’ However, responsiveness isn’t just a technical feature—it’s a mindset.
Designing for both mobile and desktop means recognising them as branches of a unified experience. Certain design decisions must be adapted for each device, from navigation patterns and typography to animations and interactive elements.
“In our development process, responsiveness goes beyond scaling layouts to fit different screen sizes,” Jansen explains.
“it’s about addressing the diverse range of screen widths, ratios and resolutions that exist today. Modern tools and techniques, like using view width units and flexible breakpoints, ensure layouts respond fluidly across devices.”
However, true responsive design extends beyond code—it’s about creating intentional experiences that feel natural, no matter the device.
Mobile-First? Not Always.
The term mobile-first dominates design discussions, and for good reason—mobile usage surpasses desktop in most cases. But prioritising mobile doesn’t mean neglecting desktop.
“Even when we design desktop layouts first, we always consider mobile from the start,” Jansen says. “In our studio, no desktop design gets approved without a clear mobile adaptation strategy. This dual-focused approach ensures consistency and quality across both platforms.”
Where Responsive Design Ends and Platform-Specific Interactions Begin
Many designers reduce responsive design to breakpoints and fluid layouts, but it’s much more. Crafting seamless, platform-specific interactions is key.
Navigation, for example, should align with a device’s primary input. Hover states work well on desktop, but mobile users rely on touch gestures. Dropdown menus feel intuitive on desktop but need rethinking for mobile. Animations and transitions also require optimisation for performance and usability on each platform.
“Typography plays a crucial role,” Jansen adds. “Font sizes, line spacing, and layout density impact readability. Desktop layouts allow for wider text blocks and larger images, while mobile designs must prioritize scan-ability and simplicity.”
Balancing Performance with Visual Quality
One of responsive design’s biggest challenges is balancing performance with aesthetics and functionality. Mobile users, especially in developing regions, often face slow networks and limited processing power.
Designers and developers must optimise assets carefully—using techniques like lazy loading, image compression, and variable fonts—to maintain speed without sacrificing quality.
“Desktop users, in contrast, expect richer, more immersive experiences,” Jansen says. “Larger screens enable multi-column layouts, intricate animations, and high-resolution visuals. The challenge is delivering these elements without overwhelming users or creating performance bottlenecks.”
Experience-First: The Future of Design
To push responsive design further, the one-size-fits-all mindset must go. Instead, designers should embrace an experience-first approach—focusing on users’ unique needs on each platform.
“By treating mobile and desktop as interconnected branches of the same tree, we can create designs that not only look great but also feel intuitive—whether on a 5-inch phone or a 27-inch monitor,” Jansen concludes. “Ultimately, responsive design isn’t just about making things fit; it’s about making them work, while inspiring and delighting users across every device.
Main Image: Open Replay Blog