HTML writers, new web designers, and intermediate web designers most likely have a library of books covering how to create web sites and making them interactive. Glaringly missing from most of these libraries, including my own, is a book on graphics and aesthetics.
I admit I let Designing Web Graphics.3 sit on my shelf, along with many others, for far too long. After interviewing Lynda Weinman, her insights motivated me to retrieve the book and read it. I am kicking myself for waiting this long.
I’m familiar with graphics and which file format to use when producing them. However, I’ve ignored the deeper aspects of graphics including dithering, indexed color, and all that jazz. Most of the materials explaining these concepts were turn-offs with their complicated explanations. Weinman eradicates that with a casual writing style to make it readable.
Weinman covers a wide range of web design topics, including careers in the field. Plus, at the beginning and end of every chapter, she highlights the upcoming concepts and reviews key points from the previous chapter. Some may think this is repetitive, but how else will such concepts stay glued in our overloaded brains?
If you started your career in the print business, Weinman addresses differences between print and web design. If you have nothing to do with print, you can easily skip the information or learn from it like I did. She does not clutter the material with such specific audience discussions. The book is set up to help the reader be in charge of what she wants to read.
This book makes a great reference, or can be read from cover to cover. The index makes it easy to find what you need. I gave it my “index test” when I read about something that would be useful to me, but not right now. I thought about how I’d look up the topic in the index if I decided to utilize the information. I went to the index and found it on the first try.
Weinman’s experience as a teacher shines through in the book. The writing avoids overwhelming or insulting the reader. She even addresses learning styles.
She does go beyond graphics and touches upon javascript, cascading style sheets (CSS), scanning for the web, and more. These are a bonus because she shows you how each is connected with graphics and design.
The book’s price is higher because of its wealth of visuals. These enhance the book’s teachability, especially for visual learners. Complicated design concepts are clarified through use of visual examples. Though I use a PC instead of a Mac, I had no trouble learning from her Mac-based screen shots.
This is a fast and easy read, packed with tips, ideas, and work- arounds. Don’t expect to read it in a day. Yes, it can be done, but it’s not meant for that. Weinman also has a companion web site for more information and tools.
In the fast-paced world of upgrades and new technology, this book is still relevant to today’s issues. The only problem might be in the program versions used, including PhotoShop, Imageready (now part of the PhotoShop package), and Fireworks. She is referring to older versions of the programs. It’s something that will need updating, but doesn’t really detract from the valuable advice given.
Since this is the third edition, I expect to see a fourth edition from Weinman. Whatever latest is available, it’s worth the investment for new and intermediate web designers.
Title: designing web graphics.3
Author: Lynda Weinman
Publisher: New Riders
ISBN: 1562059491
Date: March 1999
Format: Paperback
Pages: 480
Cover Price: USD: $55.00 Amazon: $34.65
Update: Latest version is designing web graphics.4.
