Instapaper. Readability. Pocket. Safari Reader. Just as we’re figuring out responsive and mobile-first design, content-scrapers step in and repurpose our design beyond the reach of @media queries. Our vast knowledge of fonts and color spaces are of no avail...but ironically this is where the UX designer is more necessary than ever.

Embracing content-first design means surrendering all hope of control over visual presentation, and shaping the essence of your user’s content experience. In many ways, content-first principles offer designers a refreshing back-to-basics mindset that will position your online experience for the Next Big Thing After The Next Big Thing.

We’ll discuss core content-first design principles:

• Design for total failure
• Put content first
• “Navigating” in a world without navs
• Content without context
• Let design shape content
• Embrace the unpredictable
• Shape content around calls to action
• Don’t neglect video and slideshows