Ethan Marcotte

Retour.

Doing a thing I used to do all the time, and having some feelings about it.

Published Tue, Apr 21, 2026
Propellant.

We cannot separate the everyday use of “AI” platforms from their use in death and war.

Published Wed, Mar 4, 2026
I find them on the street & shadow.

It wasn’t until the end of our chat that I learned her name.

Published Mon, Jan 19, 2026
Our frail thoughts.

I should be writing about a terrifically difficult year. Instead, I’m thinking about flowers and dead men.

Published Wed, Dec 31, 2025
The line and the stream.

“Artificial intelligence is the future,” they tell me. The thing is, futures are tricky.

Published Fri, Nov 21, 2025
A right to copy.

This is one author’s short, failed journey to file a claim in Anthropic’s copyright lawsuit. (Oops. Spoilers, sorry.)

Published Tue, Oct 7, 2025
A carried leaf.

What we talk about when we talk about showing our work.

Published Mon, Sep 29, 2025
Some well-made things.

Here are some things I’ve enjoyed lately.

Published Thu, Sep 25, 2025
Against the protection of stocking frames.

“Artificial intelligence” is a failed technology. It’s time we described it that way.

Published Thu, Sep 18, 2025
A notional design studio.

A design language, if you can keep it.

Published Wed, Aug 27, 2025
Newslettered.

Eric wrote about his newsletter subscriptions, and asked some friends to do the same. Here’s my entry.

Published Tue, Aug 12, 2025
Link bug.

I added a links section to my website. Here’s how I made it, and why.

Published Mon, Jun 23, 2025
Unbreaking.

Here’s to new work, and to a little more clarity amid the chaos.

Published Mon, Jun 16, 2025
Responsive web design turns fifteen.

The original “Responsive Web Design” article was published fifteen years ago. Time’s weird, man.

Published Sun, May 25, 2025
Hallucinating.

A minor semantic quibble.

Published Sat, May 17, 2025
Magick images.

I’ve upgraded my site’s social media preview images, using a combination of ImageMagick and Eleventy. Here’s entirely too many words about how I made it all happen.

Published Tue, Apr 22, 2025
It’s time to organize.

There’s an old organizing joke someone once told me: “Who’s in the union? You and I.”

Published Thu, Apr 3, 2025
You deserve a new book design.

A peek into You Deserve a Tech Union’s new design, and the typefaces—and process—that made it happen.

Published Tue, Mar 25, 2025
Refresh.

In 2023, I wrote a book. Several months later, my publisher closed its doors. And now? We’re back, and better than ever.

Published Sun, Mar 16, 2025
Commencement.

Tomorrow to fresh woods, and pastures new.

Published Mon, Mar 10, 2025
Parker.

Another year, another redesign. Might as well get to work.

Published Thu, Mar 6, 2025
Moving on from 18F.

I had a wonderful job, until I didn’t. This is about what happened—and what is still happening.

Published Tue, Feb 18, 2025
A challenge of blog questions.

Jon and Naz kindly tagged me into a blogging challenge! Namely, to answer a set of questions about how I blog, and why.

Published Sun, Jan 26, 2025
Ames & Amherst.

No hate. No fear—well, a fair bit of fear. But I’m ready.

Published Sat, Jan 18, 2025
Two books, no longer apart.

I’ve put my first two books online for free.

Published Wed, Nov 13, 2024
A catalog.

Here are some things I know.

Published Wed, Nov 6, 2024
Times to strike.

The largest union of tech workers just went on strike.

Published Mon, Nov 4, 2024
Reacquired.

Last year, I wrote a book. Several months later, my publisher closed its doors. This is about what happens next.

Published Sun, Jul 21, 2024
This site goes up to Eleventy.

I just migrated this little website’s internals over to Eleventy. If I did my job right, you won’t notice the change.

Published Mon, Jul 15, 2024
Hello, 18F.

I’ve been a designer at 18F for one week now.

Published Mon, May 20, 2024
Slingshot.

I just attended my first Labor Notes Conference. My head’s full, and my heart’s on fire.

Published Tue, Apr 23, 2024
Blockin’ bots.

Here’s how I’m blocking “artificial intelligence” bots, crawlers, and scrapers.

Published Fri, Apr 12, 2024
The negotiation cycle.

On the work, and being endlessly clever.

Published Thu, Mar 21, 2024
Lowe.

Spotted a copy of You Deserve a Tech Union at my local library. It made my decade.

Published Mon, Mar 11, 2024
Generative.

Nineteen thoughts about “generative artificial intelligence,” spanning a few centuries.

Published Thu, Feb 29, 2024
Collective.

A prominent investor got excited about collective bargaining. I did too! (But probably for different reasons.)

Published Thu, Feb 8, 2024
Reviewed.

My book was reviewed in Labor Notes. I’m still pinching myself.

Published Wed, Jan 17, 2024
The 2023 that was.

A little marker for myself, from one year to the next.

Published Sun, Dec 31, 2023
Broadly.

I’m excited to share a change in You Deserve a Tech Union’s pricing.

Published Thu, Dec 14, 2023
A new op-ed: on OpenAI and worker power.

What happens when workers take collective action, and in an anti-worker industry?

Published Mon, Dec 11, 2023
Boston meetup, redux: “You deserve a tech union!”

Tech workers of Boston! Curious about unions? We’re having another meetup about it!

Published Thu, Dec 7, 2023
Boston meetup: “Why do tech workers deserve a union?”

Tech workers of Boston! Curious about unions? Let’s have a meetup about it!

Published Mon, Nov 20, 2023
In medias.

Writin’ up—for you, but also for me—a few book events from last week.

Published Tue, Oct 24, 2023
Minetta.

I went to a conference last weekend, and it was wonderful. In fact, I’m still thinking about it—and about what can happen next.

Published Thu, Oct 12, 2023
A little book and its author, out in the world.

So! You Deserve a Tech Union’s been getting a little attention lately! Here’s a short roundup.

Published Thu, Sep 21, 2023
Three weeks.

You Deserve a Tech Union’s launch feels like it was just yesterday! What is time anymore

Published Tue, Sep 5, 2023
Labor’s day.

Some tech unions could use our support.

Published Mon, Sep 4, 2023
Mail, run.

What else happened this week? Well, I wrote my first op-ed; also, I got some mail.

Published Wed, Aug 16, 2023
You Deserve a Tech Union is here!

Well, hey! Happy pub day to my latest book!

Published Tue, Aug 15, 2023
Tick TOC.

Here’s the table of contents for You Deserve a Tech Union. (Also, hey: how about a sample chapter?)

Published Wed, Aug 9, 2023
Street team.

My new book, You Deserve a Tech Union, is almost here. Here’s how you can help support it!

Published Mon, Aug 7, 2023
Post by post.

Life after Twitter remains, well, weird. Maybe this is better.

Published Thu, Aug 3, 2023
Blurbs.

Blurbs are starting to come in for You Deserve a Tech Union, along with several emotions.

Published Wed, Jun 28, 2023
Announcing my new book, You Deserve a Tech Union.

I wrote this book for you, for me—for all of us. I hope you like it.

Published Tue, Jun 20, 2023
Bookin’.

Hey, this is neat: A Book Apart is available in bookstores, and around the world.

Published Fri, Jun 2, 2023
Tooled.

The work, and who gets to do it.

Published Thu, Mar 16, 2023
Adoption.

What we talk about when we talk about measuring a design system.

Published Wed, Mar 15, 2023
Notes from a dining room chair.

On getting stuck, and what you worry about when you worry about writing.

Published Mon, Dec 26, 2022
Truthish.

Whose sources, and whose truths?

Published Thu, Aug 4, 2022
Points, break.

When did we start using “breakpoint” to talk about layout adaptation? (Honestly, I don’t know!)

Published Tue, Jul 19, 2022
Notes from a dining room table.

For what comes next, whatever it is.

Published Wed, Jun 29, 2022
Weekend updates.

Various and sundry design tweaks! Writing bios is still terrible! Dark Mode 2: The Return of Dark Mode! It’s good to be back!

Published Mon, Jun 20, 2022
Parts, parcel.

At some point, something shifted.

Published Mon, Jun 6, 2022
À la porte.

I should probably check my email again.

Published Tue, Jan 11, 2022
Locus.

What’s better, where, and for whom.

Published Tue, Sep 28, 2021
Splits.

For now, I’ve got my feet under me. And I’m grateful.

Published Tue, Sep 21, 2021
Notes from a week.

Hello. It’s been a week. (A little more than, if I’m being honest.)

Published Wed, Aug 25, 2021
Stress systems.

On feeling overwhelmed by systems.

Published Tue, Aug 10, 2021
Bookiversary.

The fine folks at A Book Apart asked me to participate in a little interview, as my little yellow book just turned ten years old!

Published Fri, Jun 11, 2021
Responsive design and container queries? Oh my!

At long last, container queries might finally become reality! And responsive design just turned eleven! My goodness!

Published Fri, May 28, 2021
Union.

Tech workers, it’s time we unionize.

Published Tue, May 11, 2021
New work: Free design systems courses, available at Aquent Gymnasium.

I’ve launched four courses on design systems, available for free at Aquent Gymnasium! I hope you like them.

Published Mon, Apr 19, 2021
Design-ish systems.

“Why create a design system?” It’s a good question, if a hard one.

Published Thu, Apr 8, 2021
Au revoir, mon AMPmour?

Last year, Google announced AMP will no longer be a requirement for prime search placement. This is good! But I still have questions.

Published Wed, Mar 24, 2021
A day, typical.

Sara Soueidan asked how I typically spend my days. Here’s how I typically spend my days.

Published Fri, Feb 12, 2021
Beacon.

Looking for a few bright spots in everyone’s worst year.

Published Mon, Dec 21, 2020
My design systems reading list.

A friend asked me to share a few favorite resources on design systems. I thought I’d share them with you, too.

Published Fri, Oct 30, 2020
Before dawn, and after dusk.

I spoke at two events yesterday. I drank a lot of coffee. I talked a lot about design systems. Good day.

Published Fri, Oct 2, 2020
Speaking, remotely.

Here’s how I think about my speaking fee for remote events.

Published Tue, Sep 29, 2020
Hello, Autogram.

Karen and Jeff and I have launched a little strategic consultancy. We’re calling it Autogram, and I’d like to tell you why.

Published Mon, Aug 17, 2020
Replyin’.

I’ve added “Reply via email” links to my RSS feed. Hope you find it useful.

Published Mon, Jul 13, 2020
Notes from a hill.

She asked, “Are you looking forward to your birthday?”

Published Mon, Jul 6, 2020
The design systems between us.

It’s often suggested that design systems would improve the way organizations work. I’ve been wondering about that.

Published Tue, Jun 30, 2020
Takin’ five.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with Aquent Gymnasium on a series of short video tutorials. I hope you like them.

Published Fri, Jun 26, 2020
On context.

I read these two essays some time ago, and I keep returning to them. I bet you’ll like them too.

Published Mon, Jun 15, 2020
Power.

Individually, there’s little we can do; but collectively, there’s not much we can’t.

Published Thu, Jun 4, 2020
A programming note.

I’m pausing my email newsletter for a bit. More importantly, here are some organizations doing necessary work right now, and some resources I’ve found helpful.

Published Tue, Jun 2, 2020
Responsive design: seams & edges.

In some ways, responsive design was an attempt to move past the idea of a “page.” How’s that worked out for us?

Published Thu, May 28, 2020
Responsive web design turns ten.

The original “Responsive Web Design” article was published a decade ago! Here’s how it happened, and who helped make it happen.

Published Mon, May 25, 2020
An interview for the Responsive Web Design newsletter.

Justin Avery kindly invited me to do an interview for his wonderful Responsive Web Design newsletter. So you know I had to oblige.

Published Fri, May 15, 2020
Gardened.

On JavaScript, frameworks, and how giving a damn doesn’t scale.

Published Fri, Apr 24, 2020
Constrained CSS grids without max-width.

Stumbled across a little layout technique while working on my latest redesign. I think it’s helpful; maybe you’ll think so, too.

Published Wed, Apr 15, 2020
Writing my accessibility statement.

It was long overdue, but I’ve added an accessibility statement to my website. Here are a few reasons why.

Published Wed, Apr 8, 2020
Let a website be a worry stone.

One turn deserves another.

Published Wed, Mar 25, 2020
Through a design system, darkly.

Design systems haven’t solved the consistency problem—far from it. What can?

Published Mon, Mar 16, 2020
The design systems we swim in.

When was the last time a design system empowered you to make a decision? (I’m honestly asking.)

Published Mon, Feb 3, 2020
“With Great Tech Comes Great Responsibility.”

I liked Mozilla’s guide to student organizing and workplace ethics so much, I made a web page out of it.

Published Thu, Jan 23, 2020
The hoof and the horse.

On objects and slices; on design systems and scale.

Published Tue, Jan 7, 2020
Getting to work.

It’s time for us to organize our workplaces, my loves.

Published Tue, Dec 17, 2019
The World-Wide Work.

A talk on automation, power, justice, and labor in the tech industry.

Published Sun, Oct 13, 2019
Amphora.

I tried navigating some of Google’s featured AMP Stories in a screen reader. And then I wrote this.

Published Fri, Aug 9, 2019
Three bowls.

Saying good-bye to our littlest kitty, Rorschach.

Published Mon, Jul 1, 2019
Columbia & Elm; Fairfield & Gloucester.

Thinking about web accessibility, and getting from here to there.

Published Mon, May 13, 2019
Theorized.

I’ve been at Theorizing The Web for the last few days. I really liked it; I think you might, too.

Published Sun, Apr 14, 2019
Trainers.

How the data gets made, and by whom.

Published Mon, Apr 1, 2019
The web we broke.

I read something depressing last Monday, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Published Tue, Mar 12, 2019
A reading list for “The World-Wide Work.”

I just gave a talk at this year’s New Adventures conference. Here are some books, resources, and videos I cited in it.

Published Sun, Jan 27, 2019
A new adventure.

I just got home from attending—and speaking at!—last week’s New Adventures conference. It was an inspiring, marvelous day.

Published Sun, Jan 27, 2019
Sonnerie.

I come not to praise 2018, but to bury it.

Published Tue, Jan 1, 2019
How I write conference talks.

I’m writing a new talk. This is how I do it.

Published Sun, Dec 30, 2018
Azeban.

Let’s talk a little about automation, design, and work.

Published Sat, Dec 29, 2018
Release.

I went to Demo Day for the latest Resilient Coders bootcamp. The students left an impression on me.

Published Mon, Dec 17, 2018
It’s not about the device.

It can feel overwhelming to design for a new device, a new context. Maybe there’s an alternative?

Published Wed, Nov 28, 2018
Syenite.

I’ve attended a few community sessions at Resilient Coders. It’s a wonderful organization; maybe you’d like to support them, too.

Published Tue, Nov 20, 2018
Vox pop.

I’m working with the team at Vox Media on their design systems. I’m very excited.

Published Mon, Nov 12, 2018
Designing, laws, and attitudes.

What would happen if the law required us to design fast websites?

Published Mon, Nov 5, 2018
The fundamentals of responsive design, now on Skillshare.

My new class, “Responsive Web Design: Creating Flexible Websites That Last”, is now live on Skillshare. I made it just for you.

Published Mon, Oct 22, 2018
The tool and the task.

Our design tools change the design of our products and, at times, they can change us. How do we talk about that?

Published Wed, Oct 17, 2018
Notes from a crosswalk.

On the route, the steps, and what follows.

Published Fri, Oct 5, 2018
My favorite design tool.

What if someone doesn’t browse the web like I do? Or like you do?

Published Tue, Sep 25, 2018
My foreword for Image Performance.

I was asked to write an introduction for Mat Marquis’ new book on images and performance, which I loved. (I think you’ll love it too.)

Published Fri, Sep 21, 2018
Revamp.

Google’s Accelerated Mobile Project (AMP) has announced it’s moving to a more open governance model, which is great. I still have some questions.

Published Tue, Sep 18, 2018
Accessibility is not a feature.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on some of the language I use to talk about accessibility. It might be language you use, too.

Published Fri, Aug 31, 2018
An interview for Versioning.

I was recently invited to do a Q&A session for Sitepoint’s Versioning newsletter.

Published Wed, Aug 22, 2018
Izakaya.

When a dollar becomes ten.

Published Tue, Aug 21, 2018
Weft.

About the patterns underneath the patterns.

Published Fri, Aug 10, 2018
Bits.

What we talk about when we talk about what we talk about when we talk about web performance.

Published Thu, Aug 2, 2018
Notes from a market.

The sun was hot, the smiles were wide.

Published Thu, Jul 26, 2018
In the pocket.

“The first level of reality is that nitty-gritty stuff, the direct action and immediate experience, the sort of thing I like to call vernacular reality.” — Ursula Franklin

Published Tue, Jul 24, 2018
Chimpin’.

I use Mailchimp’s “RSS campaigns” to email new blog entries to subscribers. I also use responsive images. Here’s how I got them to play well together!

Published Mon, Jul 23, 2018
Fractional.

The more I work with CSS Grid, the more I’ve realized I’m a big fan of the fr unit. And it’s subtly changed how I think about grids.

Published Tue, Jul 17, 2018
Just work.

How I work, and how I want to.

Published Thu, Jun 21, 2018
My three steps.

I’ve been thinking about how I learn new technologies.

Published Fri, Jun 15, 2018
World wide wrist.

WebKit’s coming to the Apple Watch, in some fashion. In my own fashion, I’m excited to see what that means.

Published Tue, Jun 5, 2018
Bundt.

Here’s what happened today, today.

Published Fri, May 25, 2018
A GIFt—or three!—from me, to thee.

I have a website called bukk.it. It’s filled with pointless images. Here’s how I manage it.

Published Tue, May 22, 2018
Kumiho.

Thoughts on bots.

Published Wed, May 9, 2018
When patterns get weird.

Usually, you’ll get rid of design patterns that don’t contribute much to your design system. But sometimes, you won’t.

Published Tue, May 8, 2018
What’s in a pattern name?

The benefit of creating a pattern library isn’t the patterns as such.

Published Fri, May 4, 2018
Notes from a conference.

I just flew in from Florida, where I’d spoken—and workshopped!—at the 2018 Front End Design Conference. And boy, are my arms tired/sunburnt.

Published Sat, Apr 28, 2018
Spinning jenny.

A few thoughts on the task, and the tool.

Published Sun, Apr 22, 2018
Framed.

When offering advice, be careful how it’s offered.

Published Mon, Apr 2, 2018
The podcast is dead; long live the podcast!

This was the vehicle; these were the people.

Published Mon, Mar 26, 2018
Campaign.

The Google AMP team has announced they’d like to make the web faster—even for folks who don’t use AMP. That’s wonderful news. But I have some questions.

Published Thu, Mar 8, 2018
Notes from a sidewalk.

She stood back up, running to catch her friends, her sign held high.

Published Wed, Mar 7, 2018
I, for one.

We’re used to corporations stepping in to fix the problems they see on the web. But what would happen if we could fix the web?

Published Tue, Feb 27, 2018
Design, system.

Your design system’s more than the sum of its patterns. (It’s all about the people, maaaaannnn.)

Published Mon, Feb 26, 2018
Stupid Jekyll tricks.

Right now, my site runs on Jekyll. Here are two little things I find useful.

Published Sun, Feb 18, 2018
AMPlified.

I don’t think there’s much you or I can do about Google’s AMP project. However.

Published Tue, Feb 13, 2018
A little advice.

On occasion, people starting a career in web design ask me for advice. Here’s what I currently say to them.

Published Mon, Jan 29, 2018
Cardigan.

Farewell, Dean. And thank you.

Published Fri, Jan 19, 2018
War rig.

I come here not to praise 2017, but to bury it.

Published Mon, Jan 1, 2018
Rated zero.

Google AMP, and services like it, are a kind of “zero-rating.” I worry about that.

Published Wed, Dec 27, 2017
Entitled to.

A few thoughts about losing net neutrality protections in the United States, and what happens next.

Published Thu, Dec 14, 2017
A new bag.

On a friend’s recommendation, I bought a Tom Bihn backpack for traveling. I really like it.

Published Fri, Nov 3, 2017
In range.

Three outlines, each smaller than the last.

Published Fri, Oct 27, 2017
Seven into seven.

A few more thoughts on AMP, on Ursula Franklin’s questions, and on just technology.

Published Thu, Oct 26, 2017
My foreword for Design Systems.

I was asked to write an introduction for Alla Kholmatova’s new book on design systems, which I loved. (I think you’ll love it too.)

Published Mon, Sep 18, 2017
AMPersand.

There’s a price to using Google’s “Accelerated Mobile Project.” I’m not sure the web can afford to pay it.

Published Thu, Aug 31, 2017
At dawn.

Waking up, half-dreaming, before the sun’s up.

Published Wed, Aug 16, 2017
Upward and worn.

The new Legend of Zelda is a gorgeous, fun game, but it’s also an isolation simulator. And I love that about it.

Published Thu, Jul 27, 2017
Designed lines.

Designing a lightweight, inexpensive digital experience is a form of kindness.

Published Mon, Jul 10, 2017
A responsive spotlight.

We’ve been trying something new on our little responsive design podcast. I’ve enjoyed the experiment; maybe you will, too.

Published Fri, Jun 30, 2017
A working pattern library.

The value of a pattern library is tied directly to how much—and how easily—it is used.

Published Mon, Jun 19, 2017
Left to our own devices.

For me, the real value of a device lab isn’t in testing. A device lab is a design tool.

Published Mon, Jun 5, 2017
Notes from a chair.

They work kindly, quickly but steadily, under lights cold and bright.

Published Tue, May 23, 2017
Going offline.

I’ve started taking parts of my site offline. Here’s how it works, right now.

Published Wed, May 3, 2017
Device intervention.

Done right, a device lab’s a pretty good empathy engine.

Published Wed, Apr 26, 2017
The work I like.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I work the way I do, and how.

Published Wed, Apr 19, 2017
MOA—

And yet.

Published Fri, Apr 14, 2017
A bit more on container queries.

Paul Robert Lloyd persuasively argues that container queries are obsolete. I respectfully disagree.

Published Tue, Apr 4, 2017
A sticky situation.

Ran into a little design bug, involving position: sticky and Chrome. Maybe it’d be of interest to you.

Published Tue, Mar 28, 2017
The bricks we lay.

Design is not neutral.

Published Thu, Mar 9, 2017
Notes from a couch.

I’ve got a week of rest lined up, so here’s what I’m reading and watching. (Riveting stuff, I know.)

Published Tue, Mar 7, 2017
On container queries.

A number of prominent web folks have been asking for “container queries.” I think they’re right to do so, and here’s why.

Published Wed, Mar 1, 2017
New work: Source

A new design for Source, a non-profit that makes journalism code more visible.

Published Thu, Feb 16, 2017
Notes from a protest.

No hate. No fear.

Published Mon, Jan 30, 2017
Free, faster.

Many of the free web themes I’ve seen recently are…slow. How can we fix that?

Published Thu, Jan 26, 2017
The good by.

A few notes on farewells, and on coming home.

Published Sat, Dec 31, 2016
Pattern patter.

On the web, can our patterns be more than just front-end code?

Published Fri, Dec 30, 2016
Hyper text.

A few notes on political anxiety and Twitter, and how sentences turn into paragraphs.

Published Wed, Dec 21, 2016
Thread.

Welcome to my new website.

Published Mon, Dec 12, 2016
Announcing my new book, Responsive Design: Patterns and Principles.

I’ve written a new book! It’s about moving beyond the page, and designing with patterns. I hope you like it.

Published Wed, Nov 18, 2015
My questions for event organizers.

When I’m asked to speak at an event, I ask a few useful questions. Maybe you’ll find them useful, too.

Published Wed, Dec 17, 2014
The second edition of Responsive Web Design.

There’s a second edition of my book! It’s still about responsive design, but quite a bit has changed.

Published Tue, Dec 2, 2014
A Responsive Design Podcast.

Along with Karen McGrane, I’m getting into that “pod-casting” game! (Guess what it’s about.)

Published Thu, Aug 14, 2014
Platformed.

The web isn’t a platform. When we design and build for it, we should remember that.

Published Wed, Feb 26, 2014
So you’re interested in a responsive design workshop…

Karen McGrane and I have teamed up to offer in-house workshops on—you guessed it!—responsive design. Hire us!

Published Mon, Jan 13, 2014
Speaking? Pack a plan.

If you’re doing any public speaking, I have a few small (but useful!) tips.

Published Sat, Nov 16, 2013
“The second step is inclusiveness.”

Here’s a quote on inclusive design I quite liked. (Maybe you’ll like it, too.)

Published Sun, Nov 10, 2013
Keynote, Magic Move, and you.

One of my favorite features in Apple’s Keynote is “Magic Move.” I bet it might be yours, too.

Published Thu, Nov 7, 2013
“Offline First”

I’m so excited about building more offline-friendly experiences. (You should be, too!)

Published Wed, Nov 6, 2013
Responsive design, screens, and shearing layers.

Responsive design might begin with the screen, but it doesn’t end there.

Published Sat, Nov 2, 2013
Hello, Editorially.

I’ve cofounded a startup with some dear friends. It’s called Editorially. I’d like to tell you a little about it.

Published Mon, Feb 11, 2013
The Boston Globe

The first large-scale responsive website just launched, and I helped. Here’s how we did it.

Published Mon, Sep 12, 2011
So I wrote a book. It’s called Responsive Web Design.

Want to learn responsive design? There’s a book for that. (And I wrote it!)

Published Tue, Jun 7, 2011
Henry.

A few words I quite like.

Published Thu, Mar 31, 2011
Toffee-nosed.

Many criticisms of responsive design are based on faulty logic. Let’s look at a few fallacies.

Published Thu, Mar 24, 2011
With good references.

Every responsive design begins with a reference layout, either small- or widescreen. Which should you choose?

Published Tue, Oct 5, 2010
On being “responsive.”

What makes a responsive design “responsive,” anyway?

Published Tue, Sep 14, 2010
Oversewing

I’ve moved on from working at Happy Cog, and I’ve started up my own design practice again.

Published Wed, Sep 1, 2010
On fluid grids.

I have a new article on A List Apart. It’s about creating complex grid-based layouts that are fluid. I hope you like it.

Published Tue, Mar 3, 2009
Bradley.

A story about my late uncle, who I didn’t know as well as I wish I did.

Published Sat, Oct 11, 2008
Squee.

I’ve written my first article for A List Apart. I’m so excited.

Published Tue, Feb 27, 2007
Day zero.

Last Friday was my last day at a full-time job.

Published Mon, Aug 1, 2005
Stairwell.

Starting a new job.

Published Tue, Aug 10, 2004
On emergency rooms.

We were in the process of haggling over which desserts my grandmother should order when the seizure hit.

Published Mon, Jul 7, 2003
In progress

A former teacher and his former student, and a house to paint.

Published Fri, Jun 27, 2003
She.

Happy anniversary, to my one and lovely.

Published Tue, Jun 17, 2003

Ethan Marcotte

Retour.

Propellant.

I find them on the street & shadow.

Our frail thoughts.

The line and the stream.

A right to copy.

A carried leaf.

Some well-made things.

Against the protection of stocking frames.

A notional design studio.

Newslettered.

Link bug.

Unbreaking.

Responsive web design turns fifteen.

Hallucinating.

Magick images.

It’s time to organize.

You deserve a new book design.

Refresh.

Commencement.

Parker.

Moving on from 18F.

A challenge of blog questions.

Ames & Amherst.

Two books, no longer apart.

A catalog.

Times to strike.

Reacquired.

This site goes up to Eleventy.

Hello, 18F.

Slingshot.

Blockin’ bots.

The negotiation cycle.

Lowe.

Generative.

Collective.

Reviewed.

The 2023 that was.

Broadly.

A new op-ed: on OpenAI and worker power.

Boston meetup, redux: “You deserve a tech union!”

Boston meetup: “Why do tech workers deserve a union?”

In medias.

Minetta.

A little book and its author, out in the world.

Three weeks.

Labor’s day.

Mail, run.

You Deserve a Tech Union is here!

Tick TOC.

Street team.

Post by post.

Blurbs.

Announcing my new book, You Deserve a Tech Union.

Bookin’.

Tooled.

Adoption.

Notes from a dining room chair.

Truthish.

Points, break.

Notes from a dining room table.

Weekend updates.

Parts, parcel.

À la porte.

Locus.

Splits.

Notes from a week.

Stress systems.

Bookiversary.

Responsive design and container queries? Oh my!

Union.

New work: Free design systems courses, available at Aquent Gymnasium.

Design-ish systems.

Au revoir, mon AMPmour?

A day, typical.

Beacon.

My design systems reading list.

Before dawn, and after dusk.

Speaking, remotely.