The Designer's Web Handbook: What You Need to Know to Create for the Web [Paperback]

Patrick McNeil (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2012 | ISBN-10: 1440314411 | ISBN-13: 978-1440314414 | Edition: 1

Make the Web Work for You

You know how to design. But you can increase your value as a designer in the marketplace by learning how to make that design function on the web. From informational sites to e-commerce portals to blogs to mobile apps, The Designer's Web Handbook helps any designer understand the full life cycle of a digital product: idea, design, production and maintenance.

The best web designers create not only beautiful sites but also sites that function well--for both client and end user. Patrick McNeil, creator of the popular web design blog designmeltdown.com and author of the bestselling Web Designer's Idea Book, volumes 1 and 2, teaches you how to work with developers to build sites that balance aesthetics and usability, and to do it on time and on budget.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patrick McNeil is a freelance web designer, developer, author and teacher.  His blog, designmeltdown.com, presents trends in web design and provides inspiration for designers by organizing the sites thematically.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: HOW Books; 1 edition (May 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440314411
• ISBN-13: 978-1440314414
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patrick McNeil's diverse interests have merged web technology and design, resulting in work that touches everything from high design to hard-core programming. Ultimately, his love for design, inspiration, and sharing knowledge has fueled his passion for running Design Meltdown, where he has cataloged and observed web design trends over the last few years.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Holistic Coverage for Those Who Want the Basics July 17, 2012

By Adam Parker

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having purchased the Kindle version of this title at the same time as the print versions of the author's "Web Designer's Idea Book vols 1 and 2", I can say that this handbook offers much more than fodder for a coffee table.

Not that the Kindle Fire would make coffee table fodder at all...

Yet, for those wanting a glimpse at the web design process with some useful tips for client care; the rationale for web design fundamentals and options for execution, this book will serve admirably. Of particular interest, were the explanations of the basic web design canvass, the focus on Photoshop, and the case for the use of grids - plus links to useful resources in the latter's regard.

This handbook is certainly illustrated, but not overly so to my surprise. Its focus is indeed, web design discussion, not art.

Along these lines, the book contains two exceptional appendices written by external authors - focusing on the centrality of WordPress as a design medium, and the theory of DPI respectively. A thorough glossary rounds things off.

Accordingly, this book is far from one for the display category. That said, those somewhat experienced in web design and looking for more meat in the processes, will want to look elsewhere.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book June 12, 2013

By Liz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had to purchase this book for a class that I wasn't all too excited about, however, this book absolutely sold me on web design! It's written very well (almost conversational) and it's entertaining AND educational. Wonderfully organized and perfectly designed. If you're looking for a well-done web design book, this is the book for you.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars useful December 2, 2012

By Guo-Zhi Luo

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great!!! Buy it. It's going to rock your design and make you like a great inventor. The Quality is good.

8 of 18 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Good if you like pictures... May 30, 2012

By lana layne

Format:Paperback

This seems merely like a coffee table book, far from being a useful reference book. I look through it quickly and found nothing of value to entice me to keep it. It is a good book for your coffee table if your a designer. As for being a helpful book....I would have to advise against it.