Book Review: Pro CSS and HTML Design Patterns
Pro CSS and HTML Design Patterns by Michael Bowers is best described as a dictionary or encyclopedia of HTML/CSS design patterns that can be applied in multiple contexts as a designer has need of them.
Because most patterns are not given context or application within a broader design, this book is not for beginners. However, it is a well-written reference book for the professional Web designer’s bookshelf.
If you are a beginner, you can still benefit from the book, but focus largely on the later sections of the book where patterns are more applied to design challenges to which you can relate. There is plenty of relevance toward the beginning of the book as well, but be ready to apply the content to your work. It will not be spoon-fed.
Topics Covered
- HTML Structure
- CSS Selectors and Inheritance
- Box Models, Extents, Properties
- Positioning Models in detail
- Styling Text
- Spacing Content
- Aligning Content
- Blocks
- Tables
- Column Layout
- Layouts - these are very well applied combinations of patterns that include Javascript, CSS, and HTML
- Drop Caps
- Callouts and Quotes
- Alerts
I especially like Michael’s treatment of the various positioning models (static, relative, absolute) and design patterns that can be achieved with each of them. This section is worth the price of the entire volume.
Pro CSS and HTML Design Patterns is written for CSS professionals and it is a useful resource for them.
I also recommend this book for CSS beginners who are aggressive learners. If you learn by absorbing discrete bits of information and can make your own application of the principles included, Pro CSS and HTML Design Patterns is for you.
Produc Details
- Author: Michael Bowers
- Softcover: 494 pages
- Publisher: Apress
- ISBN-13: 978-1-59059-804-7
- ISBN-10: 1-59059-804-0
- List Price: $44.99
- Buy Pro CSS and HTML Design Patterns on Amazon.com
Related Resources
- Companion web site: cssDesignPatterns.com
- Michael Bowers’ Profile on Amazon.com
Add comment August 23rd, 2008
