Site-Seeing: A Visual Approach to Web Usability (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The Web is a means to communicate, and whenever you're communicating, you need to know what you're saying, to whom, and how..." (more)
Key Phrases: consistent graphic language, dynamic content publishing, visual organization principles, Times New Roman, World Wide Web, Herman Miller (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"?a carefully considered text?if you are involved in designing a website this is one of the books you should consider reading before you start?" (Cvu, October 2002)

"a carefully considered textif you are involved in designing a website this is one of the books you should consider reading before you start" (Cvu, October 2002)

Product Description

Although Web usability has received lots of hype, especially during the dot-com meltdown, the focus has been mostly on technical issues. Usability experts stress the pitfalls of frames and too many images on Web pages. They recommend editing out unnecessary words and writing in a non-linear style-all valuable advice, of course. But less frequently do they highlight the importance of the visual presentation of Web pages.

The Web is a communication medium that does most of its talking visually. What you see on a Web page tells you what you might find within the site, how to get there, and why it might interest you-not to mention the instinctive emotional response that shapes your Web experience. As a result, Web usability issues are communication issues. Easy-to-use sites are those that communicate quickly and effectively.

Site-Seeing takes a fresh approach to Web usability by applying visual communication principles and decision-making to Web design. Specifically, readers will learn the key concepts behind visual organization, look and feel, technical considerations, and clear planning that stem from audience awareness. Through numerous, full-color examples author Luke Wroblewski deconstructs "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of Web design.

The visual presentation of a site does more than merely making it pretty. It organizes information according to function. It creates distinct and appropriate personalities. It provides emotional impact and attachment. In short, it engages the audience-and keeps them coming back.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1st edition (June 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764536745
• ISBN-13: 978-0764536748
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #399,293 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good info, could be condensed, March 21, 2003

By	Kathryn A. Pineo (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This book lays a good foundation for web design by emphasizing planning, meeting clients' goals, and understanding the target audience. Wroblewski emphasizes usability when describing the core of the site- structure, navigation, content- and how it will affect the experience of the audience. He uses numerous examples to illustrate layout, visual heirarchy, color schemes, and how they work together (or don't!) to communicate quickly and effectively to the site visitor.

I got frustrated about the amount of fluff surrounding actual information. He makes plenty of good points and then buries them beneath a barrage of condescending, long-winded metaphors, like the way we can read a map and know that blue represents water. The analogy itself could be helpful, but three paragraphs to explain the analogy is just distracting.

I'm glad I read it... it opened my eyes to many challenges that web designers face, and inspired me to infuse life and personality into my own site. I'm also glad I highlighted the meaningful parts so I (or friends who borrow it) can skip past the fluff in the future.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visual & "wordy" is what makes this book great!, July 26, 2003

By	"spira333" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

As a fan of Site-Seeing, I must respond to a few of the reviews asserting that the author should have condensed certain material in the book. For me, the many visual examples and the great, detailed explanations (one reviewer suggested "wordy") are exactly what makes this book so useful. Rather than just skimming over important design concepts, the author actually takes the time to properly explain these important principles and illustrate them with examples. In my opinion, many other web design books use only words, whereas in this book, you can actually see and understand what the author is talking about. This is very important to me, as a visual learner. That is just one reason why this book is still on my desk.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making Sense out of Clutter, August 29, 2002

By	Joseph Sjoblom (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

The publication of this book is quite timely as websites today are in my opinion too cluttered and it is mind boggling to go through most web pages. Most people (myself included) simply scan such web pages quickly. Visual cues and relationships are the key making sense of these pages. Therefore, I think it is a great idea to teach website developers usability issues from the visual perspective. Which is exactly what Site Seeing does with lots of examples and many many great tips on how to design navigation, home pages, web applications, and more. Wonderful book.