Elements of Web Design (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Darcy DiNucci (Author), Lynne Stiles (Author), Maria Giudice (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201696983 | ISBN-13: 978-0201696981 | Publication Date: June 4, 1999 | Edition: 2 Sub

Elements of Web Design, 2nd Edition is written for people who know design but just don't know the Web. It describes how your skills can be applied to the exciting world of Web design and introduces the terms, tricks, and technologies you'll need to know to get started. When you're done, you'll have a grasp of every element of Web design, from assembling your team through planning your pages and publishing your site online.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Elements of Web Design helps designers learn how the experts plan and design their Web sites. It's ideal for readers who haven't yet learned what the Web is all about, but who'd like to start applying their design and management skills to Web-site production. The book provides a history of the Web, examples of well-designed sites, and information on coding HTML and preparing Web graphics.

The authors start off by describing the Web and outlining its virtues: hypertext, interactivity, the nonlinear structure, and the variety of tools available. The authors discuss problems that designers will encounter, like bandwidth issues and HTML-related constraints on page layout. You review nine outstanding examples of Web sites that have solid designs and well-produced, well-targeted content. Next you learn the process of Web design: from managing a project and defining the site's goals, to structuring the site and creating content.

You learn the basics of HTML and get a crash course in laying out pages with HTML tags, and there's a helpful chapter on Web typography. Next you learn the aspects of preparing Web graphics, including information on file formats, image maps and backgrounds, and 3-D graphics and palettes. The chapter on interactivity offers an in-depth explanation of plug-ins, chat rooms, and video conferencing. Programming issues, lightly but clearly touched upon, include client-side and server-side processing as well as common programming languages.

All of the information is presented in a high-level, clear, approachable manner well suited to relative newcomers to the Web. There are lots of screen shots throughout this handsome, full-color book, as well as cross-references, Web resources, and definitions of new terms. The appendices are also helpful and include an HTML reference and a glossary of relevant Web terminology. --Kathleen Caster

From Library Journal

This visually stunning book is filled with oodles of example sites and explanations of how they were created. The specific problems and benefits of various designs are discussed along with the general coverage of web design, HTML, graphics, sound, interactivity, and more. For the advanced beginner on up, this should do well in most collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Adobe Press; 2 Sub edition (June 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201696983
• ISBN-13: 978-0201696981
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,598,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Is An Essential Investment!, March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Elements of Web Design (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

There is a lot of competition these days for talented Web developers. A casual glance at the classified section of any major city newspaper or online job bank will list a number of related job openings. Many of these positions require a good understanding of Website design to effectively convey client product and services information. While many schools and workshops offer various levels of Website design instruction, good books on the subject are still essential investments everyone should make.

Elements of Web Design by Darcy Dinucci, Maria Giudice and Lynne Stiles offers an excellent introduction to the art and science of this very sought after skill. The book offers an excellent overview of the entire process of designing Websites. Readers will pick up on goal setting, mapping out and incorporating information, effective interface design, content creation, scripting and programming, testing, publishing, and publicizing.

Readers are also taught the basics of Website interactivity, HTML programming, layout design, typography, Web graphics, and multimedia. As readers thumb through this book they will grasp the importance of each one of these topics and understand how they work together to convey over all Website content. Excellent HTML and Web browser reference charts at the back of the book lists all the latest tags and compatibility issues for Web browsers currently in use today.

This book does not offer quick solutions in the form of ready-to-use scripts, graphic images, sounds, and tips offered in most books. What this book does offer is sound Website design theory and concepts that when learned and properly applied can be used to launch a promising and successful career. The book is well-illustrated, easy to follow along, and offers the best in the way of practical instruction. The authors have done well!

Readers will get started in the right direction with this book. It will open up the world of creative Website design for both fun and profit. It is must reading for all aspiring Web developers and highly recommended for classroom use!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars For absolute beginners only, December 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Elements of Web Design (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I was extremely dissapointed after reading all the wonderful reviews of this book, to find out that all it includes is a brief synsopsis of html and web features. I am a web page developer and was hoping to sharpen some of my skills, however all this book did is waste my money. If you already know html and how to put together a web page, DON'T buy this book. It may be ok for an absolute beginner, but I'm not willing to waste my time reading it to find out.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way Above Average!, May 12, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Elements of Web Design (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book. Its information delivery is enhanced by a beautiful and accessible book design. The book includes lots of great information, designer's quotes, visual examples of creative web design, and useful color-coded descriptions of key terms and glossary items are presented on almost every page. As a web design book author myself, I am highly critical of other's books. I bought this book for my own design library and I have yet to tire of reading its contents or enjoying its beautiful layout and presentation