What does it mean to design mobile first?

Designing mobile first is a good practice in developing digital products that prioritize the design and development of a website or application before scaling up to larger screens such as tablets and desktops.

This approach emerged as a response to the significant shift in how people access the internet. Historically, web design was centered on desktop computers, reflecting the dominant usage patterns of the early Internet era. However, with the advent of smartphones and their rapid adoption, particularly in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the landscape began to change dramatically. By 2016, mobile internet usage had overtaken desktops for the first time globally.

This shift necessitated a new approach: designing mobile first ensures that the most constrained environment is addressed first, ensuring a smooth, optimized experience for users on the go. Once the mobile experience is perfected, designers can enhance the interface for larger...