Same Website, Different Resolutions

When people plan to buy a computer they check the configuration, screen size, battery backup etc. Screen resolution, in most cases, is a non issue. It is something that comes predefined with the system and they start to use it accordingly. This is the general approach. Now, this general approach proves to be a big headache for website designer and developers.

Technology is something that changes faster than climate. As a result we have technologies of different age in operation at the same time. The challenge that this scenario posts for the website developers is to optimize their sites to suit all these versions at the same time. The biggest hurdle here is of screen resolution because when a website is designed it is done with certain dimensions in mind. It has some buffer but less or more than that scope effects the look of the graphic.

Generally designers work according to the most common resolution in their target areas. For example in USA and Europe 1400 x 900 is the common resolution while countries like India are still dominated by 1024 x 768 and 1280 x 800. The designs are made in such a manner that if the image is viewed on lower resolution than targeted, certain outer sections of the graphic will get cut but the core look will not be affected. Similarly, background wallpapers are added to account for the extra width of higher resolutions.



It's not design that can suffer from resolution fluctuations, various modules specially the ones with tables / forms can't get deformed in some resolutions. The layout might break making things look clumsy and unprofessional.

For the problem that is caused by technology, it is fair that the solution also comes from technology. There are new ways and techniques coming up that are trying to eradicate this menace for web designers. One such way is 'liquid designs'. As the name suggests, liquid designs are not bound by any size, they are made to adopt themselves to the resolutions at work. The trick is that these designs are made in flash which enables the flexibility feature. It's a welcome relief but is still in growing stage.

Till liquid designs gain popularity, the designers will have to fight the devil. The best thing to do is test your website under all common resolutions before finalizing it. It's easy to do by adjusting the screen resolution settings from the control panel. Try and cover as many resolutions as possible as hope for the best. That's pretty much all that can be done till technology comes to the rescue once again.