Preface

When I wrote the first edition of this book in 2011 and 2012, it was by no means certain that responsive web design would become the de facto approach for web design. Here we are, over a decade and four further editions of the book later, and the popularity and utility of the approach show no sign of abating.

There’s a saying that is apt for the authors of technical books: “When one person teaches, two people learn.” That’s certainly been the case each time I have written a new edition. I’ve learned so much more covering these topics than I imagined I would. In my day-to-day work, I already find myself coming back to certain chapters and sections when trying to refresh my memory on how to do something new I have subsequently forgotten! I hope these pages prove as resourceful for you!

Thinking back on the contents of the first edition, it also strikes me just how capable the technologies we have at our disposal have become. If you are an old hand at the web development game, feel free to jump right into some of the newest topics, such as view transitions or scroll-driven animations, or take a look at expanded sections on web typography or CSS nesting – I’d be shocked if you didn’t come away at least a bit excited. Many of the things now trivial would have blown my mind as I sat down to write the first edition well over a decade ago.

I won’t waste any more of your precious time except to say thank you for taking the time to read this book. I hope you enjoy this latest edition and take plenty from it. Please reach out to me with your thoughts, both good and bad, and any questions that arise. They will naturally inform the content of any future editions.

Finally, while the publishers will mention it again in a moment, if you do enjoy it, please consider adding a review on Amazon or your book store of choice. From a commercial point of view, it really does help with sales. From a personal perspective, it’s really lovely to read them and know that people around the world are making use of something I’ve spent so long working on.

It should go without saying that if you don’t enjoy it, please keep your opinions to yourself!