My journal. — Ethan Marcotte

2023
1. September 2023
  1. A little book and its author, out in the world.
    Posted on 21 September 2023
    So! You Deserve a Tech Union’s been getting a little attention lately! Here’s a short roundup.
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    work
    
    writing
  2. Three weeks.
    Posted on 5 September 2023
    You Deserve a Tech Union’s launch feels like it was just yesterday! What is time anymore
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    work
    
    writing
  3. Labor’s day.
    Posted on 4 September 2023
    Some tech unions could use our support.
    
    Filed under:
    
    unions
    
    labor
    
    tech unions
2. August 2023
  1. Mail, run.
    Posted on 16 August 2023
    What else happened this week? Well, I wrote my first op-ed; also, I got some mail.
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    work
    
    writing
  2. You Deserve a Tech Union is here!
    Posted on 15 August 2023
    Well, hey! Happy pub day to my latest book!
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    work
    
    writing
  3. Tick TOC.
    Posted on 9 August 2023
    Here’s the table of contents for You Deserve a Tech Union. (Also, hey: how about a sample chapter?)
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    work
    
    writing
  4. Street team.
    Posted on 7 August 2023
    My new book, You Deserve a Tech Union, is almost here. Here’s how you can help support it!
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    work
    
    writing
  5. Post by post.
    Posted on 3 August 2023
    Life after Twitter remains, well, weird. Maybe this is better.
    
    Filed under:
    
    writing
    
    social media
    
    friends
3. June 2023
  1. Blurbs.
    Posted on 28 June 2023
    Blurbs are starting to come in for You Deserve a Tech Union, along with several emotions.
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    work
    
    writing
  2. Announcing my new book, You Deserve a Tech Union.
    Posted on 20 June 2023
    I wrote this book for you, for me—for all of us. I hope you like it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    work
    
    writing
  3. Bookin’.
    Posted on 2 June 2023
    Hey, this is neat: A Book Apart is available in bookstores, and around the world.
    
    Filed under:
    
    a book apart
    
    responsive design
    
    book
4. March 2023
  1. Tooled.
    Posted on 16 March 2023
    The work, and who gets to do it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    ursula franklin
    
    artificial intelligence
    
    labor
  2. Adoption.
    Posted on 15 March 2023
    What we talk about when we talk about measuring a design system.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    metrics
    
    measurement
2022
1. December 2022
  1. Notes from a dining room chair.
    Posted on 26 December 2022
    On getting stuck, and what you worry about when you worry about writing.
    
    Filed under:
    
    process
    
    writing
    
    personal
2. August 2022
  1. Truthish.
    Posted on 4 August 2022
    Whose sources, and whose truths?
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    governance
    
    people
3. July 2022
  1. Points, break.
    Posted on 19 July 2022
    When did we start using “breakpoint” to talk about layout adaptation? (Honestly, I don’t know!)
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    history
    
    responsive web design
4. June 2022
  1. Notes from a dining room table.
    Posted on 29 June 2022
    For what comes next, whatever it is.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    politics
    
    abortion
  2. Weekend updates.
    Posted on 20 June 2022
    Various and sundry design tweaks! Writing bios is still terrible! Dark Mode 2: The Return of Dark Mode! It’s good to be back!
    
    Filed under:
    
    ethanmarcotte.com
    
    css
    
    design
  3. Parts, parcel.
    Posted on 6 June 2022
    At some point, something shifted.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    writing
    
    healing
5. January 2022
  1. À la porte.
    Posted on 11 January 2022
    I should probably check my email again.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    writing
    
    healing
2021
1. September 2021
  1. Locus.
    Posted on 28 September 2021
    What’s better, where, and for whom.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    mobile
    
    native
  2. Splits.
    Posted on 21 September 2021
    For now, I’ve got my feet under me. And I’m grateful.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    writing
    
    accessibility
2. August 2021
  1. Notes from a week.
    Posted on 25 August 2021
    Hello. It’s been a week. (A little more than, if I’m being honest.)
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    writing
    
    accessibility
  2. Stress systems.
    Posted on 10 August 2021
    On feeling overwhelmed by systems.
    
    Filed under:
    
    ursula franklin
    
    design systems
    
    systems thinking
3. June 2021
  1. Bookiversary.
    Posted on 11 June 2021
    The fine folks at A Book Apart asked me to participate in a little interview, as my little yellow book just turned ten years old!
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    web design
    
    css
4. May 2021
  1. Responsive design and container queries? Oh my!
    Posted on 28 May 2021
    At long last, container queries might finally become reality! And responsive design just turned eleven! My goodness!
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    web design
    
    css
  2. Union.
    Posted on 11 May 2021
    Tech workers, it’s time we unionize.
    
    Filed under:
    
    labor
    
    tech industry
    
    politics
5. April 2021
  1. New work: Free design systems courses, available at Aquent Gymnasium.
    Posted on 19 April 2021
    I’ve launched four courses on design systems, available for free at Aquent Gymnasium! I hope you like them.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    work
    
    teaching
  2. Design-ish systems.
    Posted on 8 April 2021
    “Why create a design system?” It’s a good question, if a hard one.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    pattern libraries
    
    design patterns
6. March 2021
  1. Au revoir, mon AMPmour?
    Posted on 24 March 2021
    Last year, Google announced AMP will no longer be a requirement for prime search placement. This is good! But I still have questions.
    
    Filed under:
    
    google amp
    
    regulation
    
    performance
7. February 2021
  1. A day, typical.
    Posted on 12 February 2021
    Sara Soueidan asked how I typically spend my days. Here’s how I typically spend my days.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    work
    
    process
2020
1. December 2020
  1. Beacon.
    Posted on 21 December 2020
    Looking for a few bright spots in everyone’s worst year.
    
    Filed under:
    
    year in review
    
    self-care
    
    justice
2. October 2020
  1. My design systems reading list.
    Posted on 30 October 2020
    A friend asked me to share a few favorite resources on design systems. I thought I’d share them with you, too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    autogram
    
    design systems
    
    governance
  2. Before dawn, and after dusk.
    Posted on 2 October 2020
    I spoke at two events yesterday. I drank a lot of coffee. I talked a lot about design systems. Good day.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    autogram
    
    speaking
3. September 2020
  1. Speaking, remotely.
    Posted on 29 September 2020
    Here’s how I think about my speaking fee for remote events.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    public speaking
    
    conferences
4. August 2020
  1. Hello, Autogram.
    Posted on 17 August 2020
    Karen and Jeff and I have launched a little strategic consultancy. We’re calling it Autogram, and I’d like to tell you why.
    
    Filed under:
    
    autogram
    
    work
    
    design systems
5. July 2020
  1. Replyin’.
    Posted on 13 July 2020
    I’ve added “Reply via email” links to my RSS feed. Hope you find it useful.
    
    Filed under:
    
    ethanmarcotte.com
    
    rss
    
    email
  2. Notes from a hill.
    Posted on 6 July 2020
    She asked, “Are you looking forward to your birthday?”
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    birthday
    
    family
6. June 2020
  1. The design systems between us.
    Posted on 30 June 2020
    It’s often suggested that design systems would improve the way organizations work. I’ve been wondering about that.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    governance
    
    people
  2. Takin’ five.
    Posted on 26 June 2020
    I’ve been lucky enough to work with Aquent Gymnasium on a series of short video tutorials. I hope you like them.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    accessibility
    
    work
  3. On context.
    Posted on 15 June 2020
    I read these two essays some time ago, and I keep returning to them. I bet you’ll like them too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    ethics
    
    politics
  4. Power.
    Posted on 4 June 2020
    Individually, there’s little we can do; but collectively, there’s not much we can’t.
    
    Filed under:
    
    labor
    
    organizing
    
    black lives matter
  5. A programming note.
    Posted on 2 June 2020
    I’m pausing my email newsletter for a bit. More importantly, here are some organizations doing necessary work right now, and some resources I’ve found helpful.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    ethanmarcotte.com
    
    black lives matter
7. May 2020
  1. Responsive design: seams & edges.
    Posted on 28 May 2020
    In some ways, responsive design was an attempt to move past the idea of a “page.” How’s that worked out for us?
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design at ten
    
    responsive web design
    
    responsive design
  2. Responsive web design turns ten.
    Posted on 25 May 2020
    The original “Responsive Web Design” article was published a decade ago! Here’s how it happened, and who helped make it happen.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design at ten
    
    responsive design
    
    web design
  3. An interview for the Responsive Web Design newsletter.
    Posted on 15 May 2020
    Justin Avery kindly invited me to do an interview for his wonderful Responsive Web Design newsletter. So you know I had to oblige.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    interview
    
    newsletters
8. April 2020
  1. Gardened.
    Posted on 24 April 2020
    On JavaScript, frameworks, and how giving a damn doesn’t scale.
    
    Filed under:
    
    performance
    
    access
    
    regulation
  2. Constrained CSS grids without max-width.
    Posted on 15 April 2020
    Stumbled across a little layout technique while working on my latest redesign. I think it’s helpful; maybe you’ll think so, too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    css
    
    css grid
    
    layout
  3. Writing my accessibility statement.
    Posted on 8 April 2020
    It was long overdue, but I’ve added an accessibility statement to my website. Here are a few reasons why.
    
    Filed under:
    
    accessibility
    
    disability
    
    inclusion
9. March 2020
  1. Let a website be a worry stone.
    Posted on 25 March 2020
    One turn deserves another.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    anxiety
    
    sideproject
  2. Through a design system, darkly.
    Posted on 16 March 2020
    Design systems haven’t solved the consistency problem—far from it. What can?
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    governance
    
    people
10. February 2020
  1. The design systems we swim in.
    Posted on 3 February 2020
    When was the last time a design system empowered you to make a decision? (I’m honestly asking.)
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    pattern libraries
    
    design patterns
11. January 2020
  1. “With Great Tech Comes Great Responsibility.”
    Posted on 23 January 2020
    I liked Mozilla’s guide to student organizing and workplace ethics so much, I made a web page out of it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    labor
    
    ethics
    
    google
  2. The hoof and the horse.
    Posted on 7 January 2020
    On objects and slices; on design systems and scale.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    governance
    
    people
2019
1. December 2019
  1. Getting to work.
    Posted on 17 December 2019
    It’s time for us to organize our workplaces, my loves.
    
    Filed under:
    
    public speaking
    
    conferences
    
    process
2. October 2019
  1. The World-Wide Work.
    Posted on 13 October 2019
    A talk on automation, power, justice, and labor in the tech industry.
    
    Filed under:
    
    labor
    
    automation
    
    ursula franklin
3. August 2019
  1. Amphora.
    Posted on 9 August 2019
    I tried navigating some of Google’s featured AMP Stories in a screen reader. And then I wrote this.
    
    Filed under:
    
    google amp
    
    regulation
    
    performance
4. July 2019
  1. Three bowls.
    Posted on 1 July 2019
    Saying good-bye to our littlest kitty, Rorschach.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    in memoriam
    
    death
5. May 2019
  1. Columbia & Elm; Fairfield & Gloucester.
    Posted on 13 May 2019
    Thinking about web accessibility, and getting from here to there.
    
    Filed under:
    
    accessibility
    
    inclusion
    
    exclusion
6. April 2019
  1. Theorized.
    Posted on 14 April 2019
    I’ve been at Theorizing The Web for the last few days. I really liked it; I think you might, too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web
    
    industry
    
    labor
  2. Trainers.
    Posted on 1 April 2019
    How the data gets made, and by whom.
    
    Filed under:
    
    automation
    
    design
    
    regulation
7. March 2019
  1. The web we broke.
    Posted on 12 March 2019
    I read something depressing last Monday, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    accessibility
    
    discrimination
    
    disability
8. January 2019
  1. A reading list for “The World-Wide Work.”
    Posted on 27 January 2019
    I just gave a talk at this year’s New Adventures conference. Here are some books, resources, and videos I cited in it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    public speaking
    
    conferences
    
    process
  2. A new adventure.
    Posted on 27 January 2019
    I just got home from attending—and speaking at!—last week’s New Adventures conference. It was an inspiring, marvelous day.
    
    Filed under:
    
    public speaking
    
    conferences
    
    work
  3. Sonnerie.
    Posted on 1 January 2019
    I come not to praise 2018, but to bury it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    year in review
    
    self-care
    
    justice
2018
1. December 2018
  1. How I write conference talks.
    Posted on 30 December 2018
    I’m writing a new talk. This is how I do it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    public speaking
    
    conferences
    
    process
  2. Azeban.
    Posted on 29 December 2018
    Let’s talk a little about automation, design, and work.
    
    Filed under:
    
    automation
    
    design
    
    regulation
  3. Release.
    Posted on 17 December 2018
    I went to Demo Day for the latest Resilient Coders bootcamp. The students left an impression on me.
    
    Filed under:
    
    nonprofit
    
    education
    
    diversity
2. November 2018
  1. It’s not about the device.
    Posted on 28 November 2018
    It can feel overwhelming to design for a new device, a new context. Maybe there’s an alternative?
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    performance
    
    watch
  2. Syenite.
    Posted on 20 November 2018
    I’ve attended a few community sessions at Resilient Coders. It’s a wonderful organization; maybe you’d like to support them, too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    nonprofit
    
    education
    
    diversity
  3. Vox pop.
    Posted on 12 November 2018
    I’m working with the team at Vox Media on their design systems. I’m very excited.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    employment
    
    mandy brown
  4. Designing, laws, and attitudes.
    Posted on 5 November 2018
    What would happen if the law required us to design fast websites?
    
    Filed under:
    
    ajit pai sucks
    
    fcc
    
    regulation
3. October 2018
  1. The fundamentals of responsive design, now on Skillshare.
    Posted on 22 October 2018
    My new class, “Responsive Web Design: Creating Flexible Websites That Last”, is now live on Skillshare. I made it just for you.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    teaching
    
    video
  2. The tool and the task.
    Posted on 17 October 2018
    Our design tools change the design of our products and, at times, they can change us. How do we talk about that?
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    design patterns
    
    pattern libraries
  3. Notes from a crosswalk.
    Posted on 5 October 2018
    On the route, the steps, and what follows.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    running
4. September 2018
  1. My favorite design tool.
    Posted on 25 September 2018
    What if someone doesn’t browse the web like I do? Or like you do?
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    ethics
    
    inclusion
  2. My foreword for Image Performance.
    Posted on 21 September 2018
    I was asked to write an introduction for Mat Marquis’ new book on images and performance, which I loved. (I think you’ll love it too.)
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    book
    
    foreword
  3. Revamp.
    Posted on 18 September 2018
    Google’s Accelerated Mobile Project (AMP) has announced it’s moving to a more open governance model, which is great. I still have some questions.
    
    Filed under:
    
    google amp
    
    governance
    
    standards
5. August 2018
  1. Accessibility is not a feature.
    Posted on 31 August 2018
    Lately, I’ve been reflecting on some of the language I use to talk about accessibility. It might be language you use, too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    accessibility
    
    design
    
    inclusion
  2. An interview for Versioning.
    Posted on 22 August 2018
    I was recently invited to do a Q&A session for Sitepoint’s Versioning newsletter.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    interview
    
    progressive enhancement
  3. Izakaya.
    Posted on 21 August 2018
    When a dollar becomes ten.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    new york city
    
    travel
  4. Weft.
    Posted on 10 August 2018
    About the patterns underneath the patterns.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    patterns
    
    design patterns
  5. Bits.
    Posted on 2 August 2018
    What we talk about when we talk about what we talk about when we talk about web performance.
    
    Filed under:
    
    advertising
    
    revenue
    
    web
6. July 2018
  1. Notes from a market.
    Posted on 26 July 2018
    The sun was hot, the smiles were wide.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    writing
    
    democracy
  2. In the pocket.
    Posted on 24 July 2018
    “The first level of reality is that nitty-gritty stuff, the direct action and immediate experience, the sort of thing I like to call vernacular reality.” — Ursula Franklin
    
    Filed under:
    
    devices
    
    compulsion
    
    addiction
  3. Chimpin’.
    Posted on 23 July 2018
    I use Mailchimp’s “RSS campaigns” to email new blog entries to subscribers. I also use responsive images. Here’s how I got them to play well together!
    
    Filed under:
    
    email
    
    mailchimp
    
    rss
  4. Fractional.
    Posted on 17 July 2018
    The more I work with CSS Grid, the more I’ve realized I’m a big fan of the fr unit. And it’s subtly changed how I think about grids.
    
    Filed under:
    
    css
    
    css grid
    
    layout
7. June 2018
  1. Just work.
    Posted on 21 June 2018
    How I work, and how I want to.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    self-employment
    
    web design
  2. My three steps.
    Posted on 15 June 2018
    I’ve been thinking about how I learn new technologies.
    
    Filed under:
    
    layout
    
    responsive design
    
    css
  3. World wide wrist.
    Posted on 5 June 2018
    WebKit’s coming to the Apple Watch, in some fashion. In my own fashion, I’m excited to see what that means.
    
    Filed under:
    
    apple watch
    
    responsive design
    
    devices
8. May 2018
  1. Bundt.
    Posted on 25 May 2018
    Here’s what happened today, today.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    friends
    
    chappell ellison
  2. A GIFt—or three!—from me, to thee.
    Posted on 22 May 2018
    I have a website called bukk.it. It’s filled with pointless images. Here’s how I manage it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    gifs
    
    memes
    
    diy
  3. Kumiho.
    Posted on 9 May 2018
    Thoughts on bots.
    
    Filed under:
    
    automation
    
    design
    
    regulation
  4. When patterns get weird.
    Posted on 8 May 2018
    Usually, you’ll get rid of design patterns that don’t contribute much to your design system. But sometimes, you won’t.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    web design
    
    pattern libraries
  5. What’s in a pattern name?
    Posted on 4 May 2018
    The benefit of creating a pattern library isn’t the patterns as such.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    web design
    
    pattern libraries
9. April 2018
  1. Notes from a conference.
    Posted on 28 April 2018
    I just flew in from Florida, where I’d spoken—and workshopped!—at the 2018 Front End Design Conference. And boy, are my arms tired/sunburnt.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    work
    
    design patterns
  2. Spinning jenny.
    Posted on 22 April 2018
    A few thoughts on the task, and the tool.
    
    Filed under:
    
    automation
    
    design
    
    regulation
  3. Framed.
    Posted on 2 April 2018
    When offering advice, be careful how it’s offered.
    
    Filed under:
    
    rhetoric
    
    inclusion
    
    consideration
10. March 2018
  1. The podcast is dead; long live the podcast!
    Posted on 26 March 2018
    This was the vehicle; these were the people.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    podcast
    
    karen mcgrane
  2. Campaign.
    Posted on 8 March 2018
    The Google AMP team has announced they’d like to make the web faster—even for folks who don’t use AMP. That’s wonderful news. But I have some questions.
    
    Filed under:
    
    google amp
    
    standards
    
    regulation
  3. Notes from a sidewalk.
    Posted on 7 March 2018
    She stood back up, running to catch her friends, her sign held high.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    politics
    
    writing
11. February 2018
  1. I, for one.
    Posted on 27 February 2018
    We’re used to corporations stepping in to fix the problems they see on the web. But what would happen if we could fix the web?
    
    Filed under:
    
    regulation
    
    monopolies
    
    corporations
  2. Design, system.
    Posted on 26 February 2018
    Your design system’s more than the sum of its patterns. (It’s all about the people, maaaaannnn.)
    
    Filed under:
    
    design systems
    
    web design
    
    pattern libraries
  3. Stupid Jekyll tricks.
    Posted on 18 February 2018
    Right now, my site runs on Jekyll. Here are two little things I find useful.
    
    Filed under:
    
    jekyll
    
    cms
    
    website
  4. AMPlified.
    Posted on 13 February 2018
    I don’t think there’s much you or I can do about Google’s AMP project. However.
    
    Filed under:
    
    google amp
    
    regulation
    
    ursula franklin
12. January 2018
  1. A little advice.
    Posted on 29 January 2018
    On occasion, people starting a career in web design ask me for advice. Here’s what I currently say to them.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    ursula franklin
    
    writing
  2. Cardigan.
    Posted on 19 January 2018
    Farewell, Dean. And thank you.
    
    Filed under:
    
    in memoriam
    
    death
    
    inclusion
  3. War rig.
    Posted on 1 January 2018
    I come here not to praise 2017, but to bury it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    portfolio
    
    politics
    
    work
2017
1. December 2017
  1. Rated zero.
    Posted on 27 December 2017
    Google AMP, and services like it, are a kind of “zero-rating.” I worry about that.
    
    Filed under:
    
    ajit pai sucks
    
    fcc
    
    regulation
  2. Entitled to.
    Posted on 14 December 2017
    A few thoughts about losing net neutrality protections in the United States, and what happens next.
    
    Filed under:
    
    ajit pai sucks
    
    fcc
    
    regulation
2. November 2017
  1. A new bag.
    Posted on 3 November 2017
    On a friend’s recommendation, I bought a Tom Bihn backpack for traveling. I really like it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    tom bihn
    
    backpack
    
    gear
3. October 2017
  1. In range.
    Posted on 27 October 2017
    Three outlines, each smaller than the last.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    maps
    
    vacation
  2. Seven into seven.
    Posted on 26 October 2017
    A few more thoughts on AMP, on Ursula Franklin’s questions, and on just technology.
    
    Filed under:
    
    justice
    
    google amp
    
    regulation
4. September 2017
  1. My foreword for Design Systems.
    Posted on 18 September 2017
    I was asked to write an introduction for Alla Kholmatova’s new book on design systems, which I loved. (I think you’ll love it too.)
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    design systems
    
    book
5. August 2017
  1. AMPersand.
    Posted on 31 August 2017
    There’s a price to using Google’s “Accelerated Mobile Project.” I’m not sure the web can afford to pay it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    google amp
    
    regulation
    
    performance
  2. At dawn.
    Posted on 16 August 2017
    Waking up, half-dreaming, before the sun’s up.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    politics
    
    death
6. July 2017
  1. Upward and worn.
    Posted on 27 July 2017
    The new Legend of Zelda is a gorgeous, fun game, but it’s also an isolation simulator. And I love that about it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    video games
    
    zelda
  2. Designed lines.
    Posted on 10 July 2017
    Designing a lightweight, inexpensive digital experience is a form of kindness.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    performance
    
    universal access
7. June 2017
  1. A responsive spotlight.
    Posted on 30 June 2017
    We’ve been trying something new on our little responsive design podcast. I’ve enjoyed the experiment; maybe you will, too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    podcast
    
    karen mcgrane
  2. A working pattern library.
    Posted on 19 June 2017
    The value of a pattern library is tied directly to how much—and how easily—it is used.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    design systems
    
    design patterns
  3. Left to our own devices.
    Posted on 5 June 2017
    For me, the real value of a device lab isn’t in testing. A device lab is a design tool.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    performance
    
    device testing
8. May 2017
  1. Notes from a chair.
    Posted on 23 May 2017
    They work kindly, quickly but steadily, under lights cold and bright.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    immigration
  2. Going offline.
    Posted on 3 May 2017
    I’ve started taking parts of my site offline. Here’s how it works, right now.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    offline
    
    service workers
9. April 2017
  1. Device intervention.
    Posted on 26 April 2017
    Done right, a device lab’s a pretty good empathy engine.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    performance
    
    device testing
  2. The work I like.
    Posted on 19 April 2017
    I’ve been thinking a lot about why I work the way I do, and how.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    work
    
    design patterns
  3. MOA—
    Posted on 14 April 2017
    And yet.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    politics
  4. A bit more on container queries.
    Posted on 4 April 2017
    Paul Robert Lloyd persuasively argues that container queries are obsolete. I respectfully disagree.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    container queries
    
    modular design
10. March 2017
  1. A sticky situation.
    Posted on 28 March 2017
    Ran into a little design bug, involving position: sticky and Chrome. Maybe it’d be of interest to you.
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    css
    
    position sticky
  2. The bricks we lay.
    Posted on 9 March 2017
    Design is not neutral.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    ethics
    
    politics
  3. Notes from a couch.
    Posted on 7 March 2017
    I’ve got a week of rest lined up, so here’s what I’m reading and watching. (Riveting stuff, I know.)
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    health
    
    reading
  4. On container queries.
    Posted on 1 March 2017
    A number of prominent web folks have been asking for “container queries.” I think they’re right to do so, and here’s why.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    container queries
    
    modular design
11. February 2017
  1. New work: Source
    Posted on 16 February 2017
    A new design for Source, a non-profit that makes journalism code more visible.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    work
    
    publishing
12. January 2017
  1. Notes from a protest.
    Posted on 30 January 2017
    No hate. No fear.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    politics
    
    writing
  2. Free, faster.
    Posted on 26 January 2017
    Many of the free web themes I’ve seen recently are…slow. How can we fix that?
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    politics
    
    performance
2016
1. December 2016
  1. The good by.
    Posted on 31 December 2016
    A few notes on farewells, and on coming home.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    in memoriam
    
    death
  2. Pattern patter.
    Posted on 30 December 2016
    On the web, can our patterns be more than just front-end code?
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    design systems
    
    design patterns
  3. Hyper text.
    Posted on 21 December 2016
    A few notes on political anxiety and Twitter, and how sentences turn into paragraphs.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    black lives matter
    
    mike brown
  4. Thread.
    Posted on 12 December 2016
    Welcome to my new website.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    work
    
    redesign
2015
1. November 2015
  1. Announcing my new book, Responsive Design: Patterns and Principles.
    Posted on 18 November 2015
    I’ve written a new book! It’s about moving beyond the page, and designing with patterns. I hope you like it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    writing
    
    book
2014
1. December 2014
  1. My questions for event organizers.
    Posted on 17 December 2014
    When I’m asked to speak at an event, I ask a few useful questions. Maybe you’ll find them useful, too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    public speaking
    
    conferences
  2. The second edition of Responsive Web Design.
    Posted on 2 December 2014
    There’s a second edition of my book! It’s still about responsive design, but quite a bit has changed.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    writing
    
    book
2. August 2014
  1. A Responsive Design Podcast.
    Posted on 14 August 2014
    Along with Karen McGrane, I’m getting into that “pod-casting” game! (Guess what it’s about.)
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    podcast
    
    karen mcgrane
3. February 2014
  1. Platformed.
    Posted on 26 February 2014
    The web isn’t a platform. When we design and build for it, we should remember that.
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    performance
    
    universal access
4. January 2014
  1. So you’re interested in a responsive design workshop…
    Posted on 13 January 2014
    Karen McGrane and I have teamed up to offer in-house workshops on—you guessed it!—responsive design. Hire us!
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    work
    
    karen mcgrane
2013
1. November 2013
  1. Speaking? Pack a plan.
    Posted on 16 November 2013
    If you’re doing any public speaking, I have a few small (but useful!) tips.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    public speaking
    
    conferences
  2. “The second step is inclusiveness.”
    Posted on 10 November 2013
    Here’s a quote on inclusive design I quite liked. (Maybe you’ll like it, too.)
    
    Filed under:
    
    design
    
    universal access
    
    process
  3. Keynote, Magic Move, and you.
    Posted on 7 November 2013
    One of my favorite features in Apple’s Keynote is “Magic Move.” I bet it might be yours, too.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    public speaking
    
    conferences
  4. “Offline First”
    Posted on 6 November 2013
    I’m so excited about building more offline-friendly experiences. (You should be, too!)
    
    Filed under:
    
    web design
    
    offline
    
    universal access
  5. Responsive design, screens, and shearing layers.
    Posted on 2 November 2013
    Responsive design might begin with the screen, but it doesn’t end there.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    mobile
    
    support
2. February 2013
  1. Hello, Editorially.
    Posted on 11 February 2013
    I’ve cofounded a startup with some dear friends. It’s called Editorially. I’d like to tell you a little about it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    editorially
    
    mandy brown
    
    jason santa maria
2011
1. September 2011
  1. The Boston Globe
    Posted on 12 September 2011
    The first large-scale responsive website just launched, and I helped. Here’s how we did it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    responsive design
    
    progressive enhancement
2. June 2011
  1. So I wrote a book. It’s called Responsive Web Design.
    Posted on 7 June 2011
    Want to learn responsive design? There’s a book for that. (And I wrote it!)
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    writing
    
    book
3. March 2011
  1. Henry.
    Posted on 31 March 2011
    A few words I quite like.
    
    Filed under:
    
    writing
    
    subjectivity
    
    context
  2. Toffee-nosed.
    Posted on 24 March 2011
    Many criticisms of responsive design are based on faulty logic. Let’s look at a few fallacies.
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    logic
    
    fallacies
2010
1. October 2010
  1. With good references.
    Posted on 5 October 2010
    Every responsive design begins with a reference layout, either small- or widescreen. Which should you choose?
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    layout
    
    process
2. September 2010
  1. On being “responsive.”
    Posted on 14 September 2010
    What makes a responsive design “responsive,” anyway?
    
    Filed under:
    
    responsive design
    
    semantics
  2. Oversewing
    Posted on 1 September 2010
    I’ve moved on from working at Happy Cog, and I’ve started up my own design practice again.
    
    Filed under:
    
    mandy brown
    
    greg storey
    
    ryan irelan
2009
1. March 2009
  1. On fluid grids.
    Posted on 3 March 2009
    I have a new article on A List Apart. It’s about creating complex grid-based layouts that are fluid. I hope you like it.
    
    Filed under:
    
    writing
    
    a list apart
    
    responsive design
2008
1. October 2008
  1. Bradley.
    Posted on 11 October 2008
    A story about my late uncle, who I didn’t know as well as I wish I did.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    in memoriam
    
    death
2007
1. February 2007
  1. Squee.
    Posted on 27 February 2007
    I’ve written my first article for A List Apart. I’m so excited.
    
    Filed under:
    
    writing
    
    a list apart
    
    web standards
2005
1. August 2005
  1. Day zero.
    Posted on 1 August 2005
    Last Friday was my last day at a full-time job.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    self-employment
    
    web design
2004
1. August 2004
  1. Stairwell.
    Posted on 10 August 2004
    Starting a new job.
    
    Filed under:
    
    work
    
    web design
    
    harvard
2003
1. July 2003
  1. On emergency rooms.
    Posted on 7 July 2003
    We were in the process of haggling over which desserts my grandmother should order when the seizure hit.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    health
    
    hospitals
2. June 2003
  1. In progress
    Posted on 27 June 2003
    A former teacher and his former student, and a house to paint.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    memory
    
    garret keizer
  2. She.
    Posted on 17 June 2003
    Happy anniversary, to my one and lovely.
    
    Filed under:
    
    personal
    
    writing
    
    love

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