Design implies subjectivity, interpretation and diversity but when it comes to the web there is a debate as to where developers should draw the line, that is, which limitations should be accounted for and which are obsolete.

Web design is interesting in the sense that it has standards and best practices but it can also be treated as an art form. More specifically, a design can be broken down aesthetically and practically (front-end and back-end) – the latter being the logic that goes into the architecture, usability and overall experience. I think most web designers and developers would agree that the synergy of these counterparts is necessary for good design.

It should be obvious how the aesthetic can be treated as an art for although there are basic design principles (legibility, grid systems, color theory etc.), it is ultimately the designer’s creativity that brings the aesthetic to life. However, it almost seems like a paradox calling logic (the development) an art form. It shouldn’t be though. Let me explain. Designing, or better, controlling, an experience is dependent on knowing your user’s perception – how they think and interact. It should make sense then that because our culture and thus our perception is constantly evolving (and faster than ever mind you) us developers need to adjust the ways in which we approach user experience (UX) design accordingly.

Currently we are designing for smaller screens (mobile) and touch applications that emphasize an increasing number of sensors (Luke Wroblewski talks a lot about these trends). For instance, the new Apple trackpad and mouse allow for the user to utilize four fingers rather than two as prior. This has made for a more complex and customizable user experience.

And it is not only hardware that is evolving either. Software too has changed as it is now, for the most part, being hosted on “the cloud” which has it’s own implications. Compression is a big issue as Steve Jobs and Apple continue to fight against Adobe Flash while bandwidth has become more important than ever with the introduction of mobile data plans and the plethora of web applications.

What I’m getting at is that these technological advancements change our experience and so developers must change their practices simultaneously. In other words, ‘best practices’ are changing more frequently almost to the point where developers should not necessarily rely on old techniques, but instead, anticipate new ones (especially with the release of CSS3 and HTML5).

In sum, there is no question that the future of web design is overwhelming but do not be scared. Be curious. Be excited. And be ready to take on new challenges that will push both the user and developer in directions never explored before.

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