Getting
Real explains how to go about building a web application and covering
everything from the basics to the more advanced. Written by leading
agency 37Signals - who are well known for both their blunt, no-nonsense
blogging and their gung-ho, "you can do it" attitude, this is very far
from a dry, technical text. And best of all, you can download a PDF
version for free!
The Elements of Typographic Style Applied to the Web
This
very readable manual and reference on modern typography, explores the
art and history of the field as well as technical details. The free
online version includes a new chapter on digital typography, plus
expanded information on typefaces and designers.
Just Ask: Integrating Accessibility Throughout Design
Written
by Shaun Henry, Just Ask cover the basics of including accessibility in
design projects, with shortcuts for involving people with disabilities
in your project. There are tips for comfortable interaction with people
with disabilities and details on accessibility in each phase of the
user-centered design process.
An
excellent example of the freemium approach to ebook marketing. This
extremely worthwhile book from Five Simple Step's founder Mark Boulton
is available to read as a series of web pages. You can pay to download a
PDF version if you'd prefer to read it offline or on your eReader, but
the entire book is available via the website completely free of charge.
The
book itself covers a range of techniques for approaching graphic design
on the web, split into five sections including typography, colour and
layout.
SMACSS
(pronounced “smacks”) is more style guide than rigid framework. There
is no library within here for you to download or install. SMACSS is a
way to examine your design process and as a way to fit those rigid
frameworks into a flexible thought process. And this great free book by
top designer Jonathan Snook explains it all in easy-to-follow language.
A
beginner's guide to web design, this free ebook from Jennifer Niederst
Robbins starts with the very basics of how web pages work, and goes on
to take you through to CSS layouts and optimised graphic files.
This
guide covers the basics of HTML in an easy-to-understand manner,
perfect for the absolute beginner. It doesn't stop at the basics,
however – even seasoned webmasters will find useful tips to expand their
working knowledge of HTML, and this chapter covers HTML5.
Advertising
executive and creative Hugh MacLeod provides 26 ‘tried-and-true tips’
to help guide your creative self through the business world. Famous for
drawing cartoons on the back of business cards, each of his tips is
brilliantly presented by a cartoon drawing with advice ranging from
‘ignore everybody’, ‘put the hours in’ and ‘keep your day job’.
A
designer’s ebook staple, Keven Airgid’s 'Web Designer’s Success Guide'
is a comprehensive narrative on how to set up as a freelancer, and
profit. Covering topics such as making the transition to
self-employment, marketing your design skills and knowing what to
charge, this ebook has all the answers you’re looking for when choosing
to go it alone.
The guys at London design studio ustwo
love pixels. So much so that they induct all new designers into the
school of pixels with their very own Pixel Perfect Precision™ (PPP™)
handbook. The aim? To give pixels the care and attention they deserve,
to make sure they get the simple things right before moving onto the
detail.
The 165 page guide is available in iBook format
for both desktop and iPad, and also a straightforward PDF. And best of
all it's still free!
Another
for the rookie, 'Design Your Imagination' is a complete beginner’s
guide to web design, although it includes great tips for old-timers,
too. The book uses examples to guide the reader through its 28 chapters,
ranging from the history of web design, to design principles, planning
and so much more.
A
professor of the Interactive Telecommunications Program at New York
University, Daniel Shiffman’s ebook focuses on the programming
strategies and techniques behind computer simulations of natural
systems. However, bear in mind that 'The Nature of Code' is not one for
beginners, and you’re likely to need a background in coding to
understand it completely.
A
compilation of interviews with notable industry figures such as Jeffrey
Zeldman (A List Apart), Karen McGrane, and Aarron Walter, and agencies
like B-Reel, Unit9 and Ultranoir, this ebook outlines predictions for
the future of web technologies and design for different devices. Also
available to download and read on your iPad, Kindle and a wide range of
devices and ereaders.
Following
mobile’s phenomenal growth in 2012, this ebook provides tips on how to
build amazing websites for mobile devices. It spans problems to consider
when designing the user experience, 50 strategic approaches to create
multi-screen designs and 50+ best practices to streamline your mobile
design skills.
The
Woork Handbook is a collection of Antonio Lupetti’s blog posts, after
receiving requests by some of his four million website visitors in 2008
for a printable version. Topics cover CSS, HTML, Ajax, web programming,
Mootools, Scriptaculous and other aspects about web design.
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