Which framework is best for starting with responsive web design? [closed]

Answer 1

I have read both books mentioned which are great.

I really like Zurb Foundation. I have built a few sites with it and had no issues. I have found it easy to extend - it's easy to build a prototype that and then take to full production. (I've been using version 2 - there is V3 out - however V3 has dropped support for IE7)

A new tool someone in the office was playing with was jetstrap.com

Let's you visually do responsive layouts - you can then check the code and see how it's done and might be a good way to get started.

Answer 2

There's also:

• 320 & Up by Andy Clarke, which is based on a mobile comes first design (so, it's good for that) - http://stuffandnonsense.co.uk/projects/320andup/
• and Gumby, which got some really good reviews - http://www.gumbyframework.com/

I can't really help as I'm still too yet to try one of these responsive frameworks out. I too wish to know the pros and cons of each.

Answer 3

In my opinion, there's one book that explains anything and everything you might want to know. If you're just beginning to get into responsive web design, I'd start with this:

Responsive Web Design - Ethan Marcotte

To my understanding, Ethan is known as the "guy who started the movement". I can personally attest that the book has been of immense help to me. I'm not even sure quite frankly that you need to use a framework. If you code your website with the best practices the first time and build it as fluid as possible (even if you wrap within a 960px wide div) then resizing downwards from there using CSS media queries is a snap. I'd also check out the book Mobile First by Luke Wroblewski.

You can even buy these books as a bundle. They're quick reads, you can read each of them in an afternoon. These two books got me into responsive web design, I couldn't suggest checking them out enough!

Answer 4

+1 for Gumby Framework. And before working with Gumby and others, you should have an understanding what's going on.. hence reading Ethan Marcotte's book.