Adaptive
Adaptive design is an approach to creating websites that can adjust to different screen sizes and devices. Unlike its cousin "responsive design" which uses one layout that flexes, adaptive design prepares several specific layouts for different devices (like phones, tablets, and computers). Think of it like having different versions of the same outfit tailored for different body types, rather than one stretchy outfit that tries to fit everyone. When someone mentions adaptive design in their resume, they're talking about their ability to create websites that provide the best possible experience no matter what device people are using.
Examples in Resumes
Developed Adaptive websites for major retail clients, increasing mobile sales by 45%
Created Adaptive Design solutions for banking website across desktop and mobile platforms
Led the transition from static to Adaptive layouts for corporate website serving 100,000 monthly users
Typical job title: "Adaptive Web Designers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Adaptive Web Designers
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you decide between adaptive and responsive design for a project?
Expected Answer: A senior designer should discuss analyzing the client's needs, target audience, device usage statistics, and performance requirements. They should mention examples of when each approach works best and how to make strategic decisions based on business goals.
Q: How have you handled complex navigation systems in adaptive designs?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to organizing navigation for different screen sizes, providing examples of past solutions and how they maintained user experience consistency across different device-specific layouts.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for testing adaptive designs across different devices?
Expected Answer: Should describe their testing methodology, including device testing, browser testing, and how they ensure consistency across different screen sizes and operating systems.
Q: How do you handle images in adaptive design?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they manage image sizes and quality for different devices, including techniques for serving different image versions to different screen sizes while maintaining performance.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between adaptive and responsive design?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that adaptive design uses distinct layouts for different screen sizes, while responsive design uses flexible layouts that adjust continuously.
Q: What are common breakpoints used in adaptive design?
Expected Answer: Should know standard device breakpoints (phone, tablet, desktop) and explain why these points are chosen based on common device sizes.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of different screen sizes
- Creating simple device-specific layouts
- Using design tools like Figma or Adobe XD
- Basic HTML and CSS knowledge
Mid (2-4 years)
- Creating complex adaptive layouts
- Understanding user behavior across devices
- Performance optimization techniques
- Working with design systems
Senior (5+ years)
- Leading adaptive design strategy
- Managing large-scale adaptive projects
- Creating adaptive design systems
- Mentoring junior designers
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of different device requirements
- No experience with modern design tools
- Lack of user-centered design thinking
- No knowledge of current web design standards
- Unable to explain design decisions
Related Terms
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