With changes to the way WordPress handles images in late 2019, we are taking a more careful approach to handling images on the modern web. The main goal: to ensure that the browser loads an appropriately-sized image for its current context. It’s not as easy as it sounds.

…and it’s corollary: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

That is all.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will apply in the EU from 25 May 2018.

While Hong Kong is not in the EU, you may wish to consider taking steps to comply. You may have some of your global audience in the EU, or simply wish to apply good practices to your corner of the web.

In any case, in Hong Kong we have the PDPO, which is a set of principles, contravention of which are not directly criminal offenses (but could result in an enforcement notice from the Commissioner, which is enforceable). We like to see a healthy interwebs, with trust and good behaviour being the norm.

There is so much craft to be inspired by in this new ad for the Apple Homepod. directed by Spike Jonze, featuring FKA Twigs, and a new track by Anderson .Paak. If only homes could be responsive too.

Take a look at the making-of video (6:48).

Last week we attended this one-day workshop in Hong Kong, led by Jeremy Keith. He is a founder of one of our favourite agencies, Clearleft, in the UK.

It was an interesting take on the nuances of modern design and development for the web. Primarily, the need to get away from the ‘pixel-perfect’ mindset that permeated the design thinking of yesteryear.

User onboarding design is a really important, but often neglected, part of creating any web or mobile application. It’s your first impression; a getting-to-know-each-other exercise. One wrong step and your product or service could be in the trash before the fickle user has even given it a go.

Earlier this month a couple of excited turtles headed down to this first-of-its-kind conference in Hong Kong, promising well-known international do-ers and thinkers presenting, and an in-depth workshop focussed around cutting-edge web design and web development. We were not disappointed.

Echo

https://www.echo.co.uk/

As the modern web matures, visitors are savvier. We would argue that they can smell a design template, a stock photograph, or a cliché a mile off. It might be worth going the extra mile to distinguish your brand.

An irreverent comment on the futility of using off-the-shelf templates? Sweary words redacted.

The screenshot above is from a joke webpage that pokes fun at the myriad companies using Bootstrap templates for their web presence. Bootstrap is a front-end framework originally designed to allow developers to create Rapid Prototypes of their ideas using simple and repeatable code patterns.

It has since morphed into a quick and cheap way to build simple websites, with off-the-shelf themes available either standalone or baked into countless WordPress or other platform templates.

The trouble is, it shows. Alongside the ubiquitous skyline shot, or corporate shaking-hands-in-front-of-a-fancy-glass-building stock photograph, the same familiar patterns keep popping up. Each time losing potency. Losing the audience’s attention faster than a ‘share this on Twittergram’ button.