If you’ve missed Cameron Moll’s nice right up “Is it time to move beyond 960?” I would suggest starting there before reading further.
I’m not trying to make an argument for or against moving away from 960, I’m just offering a simple tool/visual for those weighing their options.
I’ve put together a Photoshop file that helps illustrate what you get with a 1080 canvas.
I think the most notable consideration for moving towards a wider layout is the increasing use of media in our pages, and a wider format can go a long way to accommodate that trend. If you’re not designing with YouTube and the like in mind, you’re already behind the curve. Just sayin.
Another worthy note is that magazine layouts continue to gain momentum, and a bigger canvas goes a long ways in keeping some design integrity.
Another consideration is that with wider layouts we’re able to move horizontally a little easier. Most sites, due to the content and screen resolution, force the layout to move the user vertically – which isn’t natural for those of us that read from left to right. It’s unavoidable, but at the same time, any extra horizontal room we get, the more options we have to parallel many of our non-digital experiences. (I’m referring more specifically to having more room above the fold to move horizontally.)
At the end of the day, the content, audience, portability and scalability are all to be considered. When it comes to delivering a successful experience, size doesn’t matter as much as how well you use it. What?
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