Review: Learning Web Design

Learning Web Design: A Beginner's Guide to HTML, Graphics, and Beyond
by Jennifer Niederst
O'Reilly, 2001
388 pages, trade paperback
ISBN 0596000367

I'm often asked to suggest books small businesspeople who are determined to design their own websites. Of course, I recommend that you hire a professional web designer for the first version of your business site -- but who am I to talk? I'm a do-it-yourselfer, and taught myself to design my own business websites.

If you're looking for a place to begin, Niederst's Learning Web Design is the best introduction to the nuts and bolts of webpage design I've seen in a long time. Niederst explains what you need to know, and does so simply with plenty of illustrations. If you want more detailed, complete coverage see Niederst's excellent Web Design in a Nutshell (O'Reilly, 1999). Learning Web Design covers three subjects: (1) basic to intermediate HTML, (2) basic Web graphics, and (3) basic Web design techniques.

These days visual WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) web design tools abound. Some are truly wonderful, and tremendous time-savers. The problem with such tools is that they make you believe you can design great websites without knowing HTML. The truth is, you can't. There comes a point where, if you want to improve, you have to master the basics of HTML. I don't know a better book for this than Learning Web Design. The section on Web graphics covers GIFs, JPEGs, and animated GIF images. Niederst gives how-to examples from several popular graphics programs: Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Fireworks 3, and JASC Paint Shop Pro 6.

The "weakest" section of the book is on website design "Form and Function." It's well-done, but "weak" in the sense that its only a cursory look at a very complex subject. I impatiently expect her to explain advanced techniques, but like a good teacher she takes it a step at a time. The sections on interface design and navigation design are especially good, providing a succinct primer on complicated topics. A final chapter provides a quick look at topics not covered in detail in the book, including CGI forms, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript. Learning Web Design succeeds in its basic mission of helping a beginner understand well the basics of website design. Niederst shows discipline and restraint to keep from overloading the learner with too much. If you've been afraid to venture into website design, this book will hold your hand and take you where you need to go along the first leg of the journey.

You may purchase Learning Web Design at a discount from Amazon.com through these links:
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