the.com/adaptive design
one layout, several fixed sizes, like a suit that only comes in s, m, l, and xl.
means a web or app design approach that serves distinct, pre-built layouts triggered at specific screen-width breakpoints, instead of one layout that stretches fluidly.
from coined around 2011 by designer aaron gustafson as a companion to ethan marcotte's responsive design, distinguishing fixed-breakpoint layouts from fully fluid ones.
vs responsiveresponsive flexes continuously, adaptive jumps between fixed states
origin eragrew from feature phones needing separate simplified sites
typical countdesigners often build for exactly six screen widths
performance edgecan load lighter assets per device, unlike bloated fluid grids
for instance
amazon mobile 2012 — served a distinct simplified layout to early smartphones
bbc news classic site — used server-side breakpoints before responsive css took over
early gmail mobile — separate stripped-down html version for non-smartphone browsers