The days of bully pulpit marketing seem to be waning. What these men are proposing is that unless an idea or product has value that excites people and drives them to share it with friends, it is likely to be ignored.
Continue Reading February 4th, 2006
I purchased The Zen of CSS Design soon after I completed my degree in visual communication. Fatigued by the theory heavy books I had read in school, I was hoping for a project based resource to help me produce quality results quickly. As I read, it quickly became clear that this book is a conceptual analysis of CSS design best practices rather than a step-by-step project manual. Opting for a simpler approach, I left The Zen of CSS Design to moulder in the dust of my bookcase for a few months an moved on to other prescriptive step-by-step volumes.
When a designer friend mentioned how The Zen of CSS Design had helped him think creatively about approaching design projects, I picked it up once more. This time, I didn’t put it down.
Though it took me two attempts to discover the value of this book, I would like to thank Dave Shea and Molly Holzschlag for creating a book on a programming language that is not merely a technical reference or prescriptive how-to manual. The Zen of CSS Design helps me to plan, create and problem solve modern Web designs while thinking in CSS.
2 comments January 17th, 2006
Seeing the buzz in the blogosphere about the latest Firefox release, version 1.5, I naturally downloaded and installed the Web browser today.
I have used Firefox for close to two years now and was relieved to see that little had changed with regard to its look and feel. Most importantly, it still opens quickly and runs light, using few system resources.
The one frustration I had following installation was with plug-in incompatibilities. Firefox’s greatest strength, its Open Source model, is also a bit of an enemy as the plug-in architecture evolves leaving some plug-ins I loved behind for the time being.
Though I haven’t had time to investigate the new version thoroughly, Mozilla says that the new version adds support for more advanced JavaScript, CSS, and DHTML, along with accessibility improvements.
I hope they fixed the print stylesheet limitations that have been frustrating me … come on Mozilla, focus on the basics! Overall, this looks like a solid step towards a standards compliant browser. It has (mostly) been a joy to design Web sites for Firefox and it looks like it is getting better.
November 30th, 2005
Ok. Let me get this off my chest. I love learning! Yes, I do. But DHTML Utopia: Modern Web Design with JavaScript and DOM was a stretch for me as a relative newcomer to JavaScript - beyond what I expected.
In contrast, I’m quite comfortable with basic server side scripting. It’s simple. You write a function or object, create variables and the pages are put together and served up on a silver platter. But client-side (browser based) scripting with JavaScript and DOM? Well, this is another matter altogether. Using JavaScript and the DOM is a bit like absorbing utopian literature; it is full of potential but hard to apply to the grind of everyday life.
The pull of a coding utopia eventually overcame my skepticism. What I found has forever changed the way I think about JavaScript. Thanks to Stuart Langrange, I am now happy to use JavaScript as an interaction layer or improvement to my Web sites rather than embedding it in my HTML code.
I recommend this book to anyone with a strong conceptual understanding of JavaScript and a hunger for clean Web pages. Especially if they want to keep their clients’ Web pages uncluttered with noise that may impede search engines as they index and rank pages. At last, a way of adding interactivity without destroying a Web site’s accessibility has begun to mature!
Title: DHTML Utopia: Modern Web Design Using JavaScript & DOM
Author: Stuart Langrange
Publisher: Sitepoint
ISBN: 0957921896
Date: May 2005
Format: Paperback
Pages: 318
Cover Price: USD: $39.95 CDN: $55.95 UK: unknown
November 29th, 2005
Recently, I checked into a software package devoted to the encryption and obfuscation of page content. Not only does it prevent copying and pasting and printing; it uses Javascript to encrypt and decypher the page content (HTML or JavaScript). WebLock Pro does seem to effectively prevent digital theft. Of course, a determined person probably can find a way around this encryption to steal your content, copy the text longhand, or perhaps do a Print Screen to capture the layout.
Recommendation: While I think it is effective, the WebLock Pro home page has a bug that does not display any information on Firefox until a blocked pop-up is cleared and the page is reloaded (At least on Windows XP Pro with IE and Firefox). Does anyone really need to encrypt all their content to prevent others from viewing it? The web abounds with plagiarism detection tools and email is capable of contacting those who flaunt common ethical boundaries. How many alternative browsers (small screen, audio browsers) does this technique lock out?
Tools for finding copied content:
Code Obfuscators:
September 19th, 2005
About Face 2.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design, by Alan Cooper and Robert Reimann is not merely a 500 page book of design ideas. It is the compilation of years of real-world software interface design (or interaction design) and consulting research. While addressing the well-known problems resulting from a programmatic approach to interface design, Cooper and Reimann propose the Goal-Directed design method as the solution.
Programmatic interface design is the translation of Boolean logic into visual form. Unlike programmers, users think in terms of tasks and are motivated by a goal. They do not enjoy making choices without a clear sense of how to complete a task and achieve a goal. The result of this design approach is a confused and frustrated end-user. Goal-Directed design is a method that takes the user’s needs into account at every step of the software development process.
About Face 2.0 is a wide-ranging labor of love that addresses the entire software research and development. Topics covered in-depth include:
The chapter on designing for the Web is of interest to me because it applies the principals of interaction design to the creation of Web sites and Web applications. The authors tackle eight myths about Web design and discuss the difference between static Web page design and the creation of interactive Web applications. Their central point is that developing Web applications requires the same rigorous research and development process as software development for the desktop computer.
Recommendation: Since About Face 2.0 is such a detailed work, it is not an easy read. Don’t get me wrong, the writing is superb, the illustrations aid comprehension, and the content is relevant to any Web application developer. In fact, the main principles of interaction design can be applied to any interactive design project. Because of this, the book is a worthy read for any Web or multimedia designer. Just be sure to set aside adequate time for both reading and reflection and be ready to have your basic assumptions about design challenged!
The book is available for purchase from the publisher at Wiley.com
Title: About Face 2.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design
Authors: Alan Cooper and Robert Reimann
Publisher: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 0764526413
Date: 2003
Format: Paperback
Pages: 540
Cover Price: USD: $35.00 CDN: $52.99 UK: ?24.50
September 16th, 2005
When I received my first issue of Practical eCommerce from DoublePlus New Media Marketing, I was impressed with the range of topics Chuck Lasker’s brainchild covered. I knew Chuck mostly as a Miva Merchant expert and expected the topics to apply only to that domain. Thankfully, I was wrong.
The current issue covers a broad range of topics related to eCommerce including blogging, pay-per-click advertising, attracting Hispanic customers, form fields, Miva Merchant tips and tricks and more.
This publication is worth investigating.
2 comments July 27th, 2005
Spring Into HTML and CSS by Molly E. Holzschlag is an exceptionally thorough introduction to CSS and XHTML. It is written in a careful, academic tone that is never condescending. Each topic is presented in a short section called a “chunk” and can stand on its own. Though this could result in a disjointed presentation in the hands of a lesser author, Molly maintains a sense of flow throughout.
One advantage of the “chunk” style of writing is that the book is easily scanned. Readers already familiar with the basics of HTML and CSS will easily find relevant information without having to wade through an entire volume.
Holzschlag has done an excellent job of appealing to professionals who are adept learners and who see the value of a strong conceptual base for their work. No project is introduced without a prior explanation of the concepts being used.
Spring Into HTML and CSS may not appeal to those looking for a quick and easy entry into projects with a minimum of conceptual coverage, however; they can skip ahead easily to the projects and download the accompanying files to start playing right away.
Though programming and technical writing and perhaps most professional topics do not require a full-color treatment, design does! Perhaps future editions will include a full-color insert with some inspiring examples of what CSS can accomplish. Even without full-color, Molly creates grayscale examples that give an excellent introduction to the capabilities of CSS. Just don’t expect to be dazzled!
This book was a pleasure to read. In fact, I read the entire Annotated References for XHTML 1.0 and CSS 2.1. Normally, these are presented in table form for easy skimming. Molly went against the grain and the result is clearly effective. The “chunk” style was maintained here as well. Each element or selector is treated as a topic with explanatory notes.
Recommendation: This book teaches the “why” and not just the “how” of modern web design. While you can skip ahead to the projects, you will do well to pay close attention to the details. If you find your mind wandering easily when reading, perhaps you would do better to start with Eric Meyer on CSS because of its full-color project format. However, if you want to strengthen your conceptual skill with CSS and XHTML, you will not do better than this fine book!
July 10th, 2005
“User experience is about how [a product] works on the outside, where a person comes into contact with it and has to work with it.”
I have been intrigued about Jesse James Garrett’s The Elements of User Experience ever since reading a short blog post by the author in which he referenced some of its key concepts. Recently, I read his definition of the new technology (actually new application of old technologies) called AJAX and was reminded that I hadn’t read his book yet. Perhaps due to some overly technical works I had seen in the past, I harbored a bit of prejudice as I lifted the cover. I’m sure Garrett would attribute that to poor user experience design, but I digress.
As I read through the book, Garrett’s focus, excellent illustrations and exceptionally clear prose revealed a vision of what web design can be. This book is a compilation of best practices gleaned from much thought and practical application that will revolutionize my thinking about web design and development.
Let me illustrate: Since I have most often worked on web design jobs that have little room in their budget for planning, I have on occasion (let’s hope rarely) produced web sites that were not as effective in meeting the goals of my clients as I would have liked. While they didn’t completely bomb, they didn’t propel anyone to the pinnacle of success either. What does Garrett say about this?
“The worst mistake you can make is to gloss over the fundamental user experience issues of the project in the name of saving time or money.”
“Oh yeah, Mr. Jesse James Garrett”, I retort, “And where were you two years ago?”
Since the book was released in 2003, I guess the question is, “Where was I two years ago?”
As you can probably tell, reading this book was both as profound as a work of art and as mundane as a swift kick to the midriff! While setting out a clear framework for effective user experience design, Garrett uncovered some deep flaws in my design approach - design by mimicry and fiat rather than by careful assessment of user needs and design as an organic outgrowth of this assessment. In short, I haven’t been a user experience designer, only a web designer.
Briefly, the five planes of user experience design are a roadmap for the web development process. Moving from abstract to concrete, they are Strategy, Scope, Structure, Skeleton, and Surface. Each plane is dealt with in detail in a chapter of the book and is supported by illustrations, diagrams, and real-world examples.
“Potential should be measured not by what is possible, but how we can adapt the technologically possible to enhance the human experience” Richard Grefe, Executive Director AIGA - from the foreword.
As I have noted above, a key strength of this book is its clear portrayal of web design as user experience and a framework for approaching it as such. Its only potential weakness I detect is that it is theory heavy and some readers may not be able to find clear ways to apply its concepts. This is no real weakness as Garrett clearly intends The Elements of User Experience to propound a theory about how web design can be approached as user experience design. In fact, the author has taken pains on nearly every page of the book to clarify theory with clear diagrams and illustrations or to apply his elements of user experience to real-world design problems.
If you are looking for a technical how-to manual on web design, Jesse James Garrett’s The Elements of User Experience is not the book for you. Dozens of books describe technical challenges and help us navigate through them, but few make us stop and think clearly about how we are approaching a web design project. If you are comfortable with how you approach design challenges and convinced that your way is always best, this book is definitely NOT for you. However, If you are ready to think deeply, re-examine the vocabulary and framework with which you approach web development, or just to gain a fuller understanding of web design issues, then this book is worth your investment. Because of the simplicity of Garrett’s prose and his clearly defined technical terms, The Elements of User Experience is accessible to college student, copy editor, and web programmer alike; I recommend they all read it.
If you have ever wondered the best approach to the web design process, Garrett clears up any confusion. The best approach looks at web design as user experience design.
“The simple fact is this: The right approach is one in which no aspect of the user’s experience is left to chance. Make every decision consciously and deliberately and ground each decision in your understanding of the underlying issues at play.”
Jesse James Garrett has provided us with the tools to think about usability and be clear about what decisions we are making and why, and he has done so simply by reminding us to be vigilant and to do nothing by default.
Title: The Elements of User Experience
Author: Jesse James Garrett
Publisher: AIGA/New Riders/Peachpit Press
ISBN: 0735712026
Date: 2003
Format: Paperback
Pages: 189
Cover Price: USD: $29.99 CDN: $46.99 UK: 23.50
July 6th, 2005
Having read and loved Eric Meyer’s books on CSS, I was more than a little skeptical that Stylin’ with CSS: A Designer’s Guide, from Charles Wyke-Smith would add any significant stock to my hacked together repository of CSS knowledge. I was wrong.
From design comments to sage coding advice, this book is written clearly, concisely, and in a friendly, conversational tone.
Wyke-Smith discusses commenting code on page 20.
I comment my code heavily, especially with what I call ’start comments’ that show me where each section of my document starts … If you comment the beginning and end of any div that is likely to have more than a few lines of code in it, you can quickly and confidently make major edits as you organize your markup.
While this advice might be perfectly obvious to programmers, some designers (guess who) find that organizing and commenting code does not come easily.
But the book is not all about code. On page 68, Wyke-Smith discusses the importance of typography.
Type makes the clearest visual statement about the quality of your site’s offerings. Graphics are the icing on the cake; typography is where good design begins.
This is a good reminder for any designer who has ever let graphics overpower type (probably all of us).
The initial chapters of the book, while practical, lay a solid conceptual framework for the detailed design projects at its end. Notable examples of this are a line by line examination of the code of an XHTML document, a few paragraphs on the XHTML document hierarchy, and a detailed treatment of the CSS cascade and what it means for targeting document tags contextually. A common confusion among CSS newbies has to do with the difference between an ID and a class. Wyke-Smith clears up any confusion swiftly.
There is a great deal of conceptual knowledge sprinkled throughout Stylin’. Chapter 8 starts with an excellent discussion of static, relative, fixed, and absolute positioning. For added clarification of these positioning options, Wyke-Smith adds a definition of contextual positioning.
Put simply, contextual positioning means that when you move an element using the properties top, left, right, or bottom, you are moving that element with respect to another element; that other element is known as its positioning context.
Wyke-Smith uses this definition to explain the difference between absolute and relative positioning and says that the positioning context of an absolutely positioned element is body, while the positioning context of a relatively positioned element is its containing element or ancestor element. These comments helped explain in clearer terms concepts that I had learned by trial and error.
If my comments above regarding the book’s conceptual focus were too abstract for you, don’t worry - Stylin’ is also an extremely practical volume. Many workarounds are given for Internet Explorer’s infamous bugs, two and three column layout templates are created step-by-step, and advanced CSS techniques are introduced. By the end of this book, if you do the excercises, you will have used graphics to create faux columns, designed CSS only drop-down menus, styled forms, and created fluid layouts with effective minimum and maximum widths.
I know more about the hierarchical structure of XHTML and how it relates to the CSS cascade, contextual targeting, and inheritance after reading this book. Due to some tips and tricks in the information rich break out boxes and sidebars, I can simplify my code further, keeping prentation and structure more strictly separate, while being confident that I will have enough control over visual presentation with CSS.
Congratulations to Charles Wyke-Smith on this lucidly written book. Now back to some (streamlined) XHTML and CSS projects!
Recommendation: This is one of the first three books on CSS web design that any designer should read. Also read Eric Meyer on CSS and More Eric Meyer on CSS.
Title: Stylin’ with CSS: A Designer’s Guide
Author: Charles Wyke-Smith
Publisher: New Riders/Peachpit Press
ISBN: 0321305256
Date: 2005
Format: Paperback
Pages: 275
Cover Price: USD: $34.99 CDN: $48.99 UK: �24.99
1 comment June 16th, 2005
CSS Web design, e-commerce Web design, and internet marketing issues from the desk of Harvey A. Ramer at Design Delineations.
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