Head First Web Design by Ethan Watrall and Jeff Siarto Synopsis “Head First Web Design” is a book for those who have knowledge of XHTML and CSS and want to bring the design of their websites into shape. Gradually, you learn the principles of professional web design and get to know the broad view of what constitutes a successful, user-friendly website. Information architecture and the development of storyboards, colour design, usability and accessibility - all these issues are handled with great creativity and humour. What makes this book different? In this book, the latest findings of cognitive science and learning theory have been included to help make learning as easy as possible. Many graphical elements, a lot of dialogues, exercises and practical examples ensure that learning is not only fun, but that you also retain what you read.
Review 1 Everyone dreams of being able to download new knowledge directly into the brain via a book under the pillow, through hypnosis or by direct upload from a CD. All that is fiction – unless you use the "head first" method! This is expert knowledge delivered in ways that use the latest findings and theories of learning. “Head first” could be formulated "a lot of sense” and represents the most direct route from the pages of a book to permanent anchoring in the mental synapses. “Head First Web Design” by Ethan Watrall and Jeff Siarto is colorful, lively and accessible and so much fun that you almost feel guilty using the slogan: "medicine that tastes good can help anything." Not so. Here learning is sustainable learning and the "head first" method is implemented and applied far from the academic ivory tower. The authors cover both the substance of everything that is related to web design to date and every practical detail a web designer needs to know: design, structure, layout and design, colors, navigation, writing for the Web, navigation, accessibility, maintenance and improvement and business operations. Entertaining, comprehensive and extensive, and above all effective - to learn web design head first is fun! (Posted by Doppelganger)
Review 2 Web design is such a well travelled subject one wonders if it’s possible to write anything new on the subject. These authors have used a fresh approach which makes this book well worth a read. A good book for those wanting to develop their skills in web design and web development. (Posted by Web Design Shrewsbury)
Review 3 This book invites you to join in! The format is unusual as is the design. The topics covered include the non-HTML, non-CSS aspects of designing web pages. It begins with the planning and structuring of the content (story board), moves on to navigation, colors, texts for the Internet, costs and accessibility for Web projects. The central thread of the book is a fictional web agency, which must set itself tasks for clients and their projects. The projects range from the website of a private owner to projects for companies and authorities. The reader can literally grow with the projects. The price of the book is relatively high but I conclude it is justified by just under 500 pages in color and the unusual format. (Posted by Schwartzkopf)
Review 4 Although web design is not new territory for me, I can only recommend this book. Important principles are well taught in a humorous way, design principles explained. A nice design lifts this book out of the monotony of design books. Highly recommended! (Posted by Helga)
Review 5 The book is consistent and well designed. The type of presentation gets some getting used to. The content is structured as if an agency receives different orders and must implement them. I just think it too bad that there is no CD / DVD for the scripts included. That would have given it a 5-star rating. (Posted by Jean)