Im trying to come up with a list of features/requirements for my next web design and i cant seem to think of a reason why not to have a fluid layout. is there some major reason Im missing? Thanks, -Chris
Many designers seem to have difficulties working within a fluid environment. Let's face it. Graphic design software is intrinsically fixed size, and the Web is intrinsically fluid. One of the two has to give. Either the designer learns how to visualize a fixed layout in a fluid environment (and must accept some visual sacrifices inherent in going the fluid route), or the designer must accept breaking the inherently fluid nature of the Web. There are times when visual impact is so important, fixed design is justified, but this does not preclude taking other usability factors into consideration.
Hi, Chris. I don't know any reason to not use a fluid design and I have heard some ones to not use a fixed design. A fluid design implies more work in the sense that you have to adjust your thinking to a pattern that is not usual: a page of infinite length. But it is not difficult once you get accustomed to doing it. The central points of all debates about fixed or fluid design are: 1) Do you want to target a given size of screen? This point is often muddled by a sub-debate about if the browser's window fills the entire screen or not. There are two positions: the one that says that he bought a big screen to use it fully, and the other that says that a big screen is meant to see many things at the same time. 2) Do you prioritize the visual effect or the easiness of reading? Sometimes people who want their websites to perform radically opposite tasks involve in endless discussions without noticing that they are pursuing different goals.
I've always preferred fluid designs, but others seem against it. The only reason I have heard is just that paragraphs can look funny when stretched across one long line. I think you buy a monitor to use the full size. If you browse in a small section of that monitor, the site should adjust accordingly. The site should adjust to the user, not the user to the site.