Speaking in Styles: Fundamentals of CSS for Web Designers [Paperback]

Jason Cranford Teague (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321574168 | ISBN-13: 978-0321574169 | Publication Date: July 10, 2009 | Edition: 1

Speaking in Styles aims to help Web designers learn the "language" that will be used to take their vision from the static comp to the live Internet. Many designers think that CSS is code, and that it's too hard to learn. Jason takes an approach to CSS that breaks it down around common design tasks and helps the reader learn that they already think in styles--they just need to learn to speak the language.

Jason helps Web designers find their voice, walks them through the grammar of CSS, shows them how to write their design specs in CSS, and how to prepare it for screen, printer or handheld devices. Along the way designers will learn to optimize their code, make it accessible, optimize for search engines, mix it up with Flash, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press; 1 edition (July 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321574168
• ISBN-13: 978-0321574169
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > CSS

More About the Author

Jason Cranford Teague is a designer, writer and teacher who helps people creatively apply technology. He has over 15 years of experience in the online world and written numerous books, including Speaking in Styles: The Fundamentals of CSS for Web Designers and Fluid Web Typography. He has recently worked with the W3C CSS Workgroup--advising them on design issues with typography. Learn more about Jason from his blog, speaking-in-styles.com or follow him on twitter @jasonspeaking.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goes beyond most CSS explanations, October 17, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Speaking in Styles: Fundamentals of CSS for Web Designers (Paperback)

CSS is how the Web's visual world is described and designers need more than just technique savvy to build strong CSS sites. SPEAKING IN STYLES: FUNDAMENTALS OF CSS FOR WEB DESIGNERS provides a top pick on how to think in the colors, forms and compositions of the code and its styles. Designers and collections catering to them will learn how to 'pop' a Web page and how to learn the semantics of CSS without technical jargon in this top, recommended pick that goes beyond most CSS explanations.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CSS for the "un" -Technical, November 2, 2009

By 

Burt Wood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Speaking in Styles: Fundamentals of CSS for Web Designers (Paperback)

Excellent book! My mind thinks both artistically and logically. I was reading Jason's previous book, "CSS, DHTML & AJAX - Fourth Edition" and found that I was having a bit of a hard time grasping the concepts in the technical format. In "Speaking in Styles" Jason addresses CSS from a designers viewpoint, including many examples as well as references to online resources for further self-education. Now I can go back to 'Fourth Edition' with a solid base knowledge of why rather than just how. Whether you intend to develop or simply collaborate with developers, a designer needs to at least understand the 'language' of styles in much the same way that a print designer understands how to prep for press. Highly recommended!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great looking, inspiring book, July 29, 2009

By 

Kenneth N. Fricklas (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Speaking in Styles: Fundamentals of CSS for Web Designers (Paperback)

A beautifully illustrated book that teaches both CSS and web design best practices. In a truly unique fashion it shows CSS rules and how they affect a page, and talks in clear terms about designing and implementing sites. A truly different and unique book, and one of the few I'll be using in teaching my CSS/Design classes next semester.