Comments for Jeffrey Zeldman Presents The Daily Report

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Niels Matthijs

Niels Matthijs — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:13:14 +0000

I’m sure you own a computer, but I’m equally sure you don’t have a Windows (8) OS lying around. Your type really shows up horribly (in FF). The weight of the type is all over the place, it makes for a very uneven feel, like letters start dancing across the screen. I’ve seen it on other OSes and it looks much better, but isn’t that the point of responsive, that it responds to a reader’s context? (picture)

I’m still not a big fan of the size either. It’s like sitting on the front row of a movie theater. Sure everything is bigger, but you can’t see the entire screen at once, which makes for a very nervous reading experience. Usability is actually declining as I don’t have smooth scrolling and keeping track of lines is hard, even in these short paragraphs.

Still, that’s all very personal though, and could (should) be fixed by browser zooming. Sadly there is still much size difference between type sizes. When I zoom the site becomes ultra small, type in the comment inputs is hardly readable (except for this textarea) and comment meta data becomes unreadable too.

I appreciate the bold approach, but as someone who likes to actually sit down and read on the web, this design is doing me an incredible disfavor.

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Paul Christian

Paul Christian — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:48:40 +0000

I love it! Peeling away everything to get to the core :) + This is optimal readability…. especially with 1440×900 now being the ‘default minimal resulution’ (Alterbox, Nielsen) and screens becomming larger and larger. Besides, this is not just a new layout is it? Its a statemant and conversation starter… could design ever be more fulfilling?

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by C. Enrique Ortiz

C. Enrique Ortiz — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:19:40 +0000

Big type and simple layout is a pleasure to read. Simple, clean, to the point. This is even more important on readers and mobile devices. The ad placement/monetization aspects can also be simplified using simple layouts and big types, both in desktop and devices and readers.

Keep the experimentation! Love it.

ceo

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Ja'far Railton

Ja'far Railton — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:10:58 +0000

The site looks fine. You just need to pay some attention to the avatar which seems to get a bit pixelated at this resolution. ;-)

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Laura

Laura — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:59:03 +0000

I’ve been a graphic designer for over 20 years. I believe type is sexy at every size and clean design always rocks my world. Looks great. Keep up all your wonderful work.

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Mordy Golding

Mordy Golding — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:33:46 +0000

Your “experiment” ultimately reveals the underlying truth. People value what you say. Hence, your words are the focus. As they should be. Your words are why people visit your site. Your words are why people scroll — probably without even realizing it — because they are enveloped in what you have to say. It is design that works because it is design that doesn’t get in the way of communication. Bravo.

“Clients” may not have anything that people are interested in reading (or buying) and hence, “design” must take over and find yet another way to entice you.

Bottom line — design should reveal your true product, not hide it behind a wall of images, shiny buttons, drop shadows, or others — be it responsive or not.

On a final note, I’d argue that you’ve created the ultimate responsive design — a site where the USER responds to the content, not the browser. And at the end of the day, is that not what it’s all about?

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Mark

Mark — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:45:47 +0000

I Like it! In days when life is already too cluttered, your approach just makes things simpler. Good rationale and I’m sorry that others made you justify your approach. This the web where freedom reigns! One other note: Boomers are getting older and their eyesight is getting worse, big, type is welcome.

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Matt Simpson

Matt Simpson — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:37:33 +0000

My eyes sent a message to my brain… “So this is why you bought a big monitor, dufus…” It is nice to be able to sit a reasonable difference from the monitor and comfortably receive the communication of ideas over the web without squinting or being distracted by clutter and non-essential information. The modern web is becoming more like TV – we left the advertisers define it. Beyond the obvious flashing ads and pop-ups, by rewarding sites based on the number of hits the behavior of the site owners is shaped and controlled, and in turn the type of users visiting a site and their behavior is changed and/or rewarded. And if they can’t get you directly, then they will try to lure you in with “social networking”, because many people need to belong to a group for validation and rewards. I salute you and your site. I was able to quickly and comfortably read your posting and comprehend the ideas you are sharing without any nonsense or distraction.

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Camilo

Camilo — Sun, 20 May 2012 07:40:51 +0000

The first thing I do when I came here was send it to read later, before I read anything, my habits seems to change faster than my concience.
Great text and context, this is what I am expecting from following your posts.
Thank you!

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Joindup

Joindup — Sun, 20 May 2012 07:39:58 +0000

Couldn’t agree more JZ. Love the large text, although I prefer to call it ‘clear’. We managed to convince a client to go even bigger – with a content first, mobile first, responsive design at http://www.ifss.edu.au – and the client loved it!

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Bartek

Bartek — Sun, 20 May 2012 07:30:13 +0000

It’s just too damn big to read.

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Peter Schwartz

Peter Schwartz — Sun, 20 May 2012 02:31:06 +0000

Love it!!! We need more of this in this world!

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Irvin

Irvin — Sun, 20 May 2012 02:14:38 +0000

I find this site looks truly fugly. But you having the balls (and open mind) to take a creative risk is a thing of beauty.

I depart now with a smile, shaking my head and – believe it or not – a positive experience.

Good work. Bad design. Excellent work – for reasons unknown. Looks bad, but feels good. Magical, in a weirdly endearing manner.

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Don Ulrich

Don Ulrich — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:07:33 +0000

Native, adaptive, portable. An easy read. I may not always agree with you. I think that is healthy. But this is simple and traditional well done. I started in letterpress 30 years ago. What was true then is true now.

Comment on Web Design Manifesto 2012 by Daniel Perez

Daniel Perez — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:01:36 +0000

Great Site. Simplicity should always come first in design.

It is a difficult idea for many to understand with all the information and media overload.

But with simple, you have to have a clear, objective.
To get there, write a simple website that does what need.
That’s it.