Mapping Websites: Digital Media Design [Paperback]

Paul Kahn (Author), Krzysztof Lenk (Author)

Book Description

Series: Digital Media Design | Publication Date: February 2001

Mapping Websites is about visualising collection of electronic information through information graphics. Website mapping can be used for three purposes: firstly to support the planning process, secondly the understanding and navigation of visitors and finally, a management of the site by the producer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Kahn is an author, teacher, and president of Dynamic Diagrams, an information design firm. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2880464641
• ISBN-13: 978-2880464646
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #652,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for "seeing" rather than "reading", March 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mapping Websites: Digital Media Design (Paperback)

If you're looking for a book that can give you insight on how to structure and organize a web site, or any other screen based application for that matter (wireless, desktop, etc.), keep looking because this is not it.

If you already have a good idea of how you want to organize your website and want to take it to the next level, you need a map that can sequence and structure your ideas in a visual format. Its is one of the best ways to gain insight into the overall user experience, help you optimize your architecture and share it with others (no web skills necessary).

This book is a great tool when it comes to looking at examples that illustrate the best mapping alternative for your particular project. As with all maps, the detailed visual examples are a great way to convey the essence of mapping (yes, it is an art).

I've used the information in this book to build maps that help design efficient sites from scratch and optimize the user experience of highly complex mega-portals.

The only thing missing? A section on software applications that will help you to design maps - I use freehand and illustrator which elevate mapping to art form (great for creating an impact in important pitches). A CD with design clipart would also be a useful resource (symbols, icons, pages, etc.).

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a coffee-table book?, September 25, 2001

By 

Mengo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mapping Websites: Digital Media Design (Paperback)

When I first opened the cover of this book, I was surprised to find that the pages were full-color and glossy. The majority of the text was white on a black background. Screen shots abounded. I was overwhelmed!

I read the book because it was an assigned textbook for a graduate class I took on Information Architecture. The book did get me thinking about site maps and their usefulness or lack thereof. By the time I finished the book, I was less overwhelmed by the artsy style and better able to see the value in the material.

The book offers multiple case studies and examples of site maps, however many of the site maps do not exist on the web sites today.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars looks better than it is, February 11, 2003

By 

O. Willans (Oxford, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mapping Websites: Digital Media Design (Paperback)

another title aimed at information architects/web designers that doesn't really do the business. it's got some good pictures, but there isn't a great deal of rewarding stuff there.