|
|
Title:
The Non-Designer's Web Book (2nd Ed.)
Review:
Now in its second edition, the "Non-Designer's Web Book" is aimed
specifically at people without web design skills. Claimed as being an
"award winning and best-selling" book, it offers a straightforward,
jargon-free and easy-to-follow approach to helping people create,
design and produce their own web sites. The new edition has been
updated to include current web technology, new software tips, design
ideas, and links to a variety of online sites and search engines.
Aimed at both novices and the more experienced web users, the book
covers a range of key issues and important questions likely to be
associated with the whole process of web design. It assumes little or
no previous knowledge and stresses the joy of using web authoring
packages that automatically add the HTML coding for you and therefore
take away some of the strain of designing.
The content is split into five main sections: Using the World Wide
Web, Making Web Pages, Design Issues on the Web, Colour, Graphics and
Type, and You're Done - Now What? Each chapter is split into a number
of short sections, offering bite-size, digestible elements and
ensuring that information-overload is unlikely to occur. Interspersed
throughout the text are colourful graphics, hints, examples and advice
that help to make even the complicated aspects seem easier. Many of
the sections also have quizzes, "Self-guided Tours" and checklists of
key points that help the reader to learn how to use the information
given and to start spotting particular techniques when surfing the
web.
It's good to note that the authors do not only focus on good web
design, but bad design, too. They highlight some of the areas where
beginners often go wrong -- flashy sites, too many colours, strange
background designs that make text impossible to read -- and attempt to
lure people away from making those same mistakes. They also actively
encourage people to continually question their own sites and consider
the functionality, design and usability and from all angles.
The final part of the book deals with the all-important task of what
do to when you've finished your site, an area that is often overlooked
by design books. Step-by-step guides on how and where to register your
site, how to use meta tags and ways to ensure your site is noticed and
not forgotten the minute it goes live, are all covered.
Overall, the book clearly and precisely deals with every aspect of web
design. It takes the mystery away from the process and opens up a
world of opportunity for beginners. It would be perfect for anyone
who's ever dreamed of creating a site, but has been put off due to
lack of technical or design experience, but would also make a great
reference guide for the more experienced user.
Free Pint Reviewer:
Rachel is a writer and researcher for online and print media. She
writes features, news, web site and book reviews for a range of
publications including UK Plus, iCircle, Health Media, Freelance
Market News, Inkspot and Handbag.com. She can be found on the web at:
<http://www.newcombe.co.uk/media>.
Related Free Pint Links:
Purchase options:
|
