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Sexy Web Design: Creating Interfaces that Work
Sexy Web Design is an easy-to-follow guide that reveals the secrets of how to build your own breathtaking web interfaces from scratch. You'll be guided through the entire process of creating a gorgeous, usable web site by applying the timeless principles of user-centered design. Even if you're short on design skills, with this book you'll be creating your own stunning web sites in no time at all. Throughout, the focus is on simple and practical techniques that anyone can use - you don't need to have gone to art school or have artistic flair to create stunning designs using the methods outlined in this book. The book's full-color layout and large format (8" x 10") make Sexy Web Design a pleasure to read. Who should read this book? Whether you're completely new to web design, a seasoned pro looking for inspiration, or a developer wanting to improve your sites' aesthetics, there's something for everyone here. How? Because instead of trying to cover every possible area of creating a web site, we've focused purely on the design stage; that is, everything that happens before a single line of code is written. However, great design is more than just aesthetics. Long before we open our graphics program of choice, we'll be conducting research, dealing with clients, responding to briefs, sketching out sitemaps, planning information architecture, moving from doodles to diagrams, exploring different ways of interactivity, and building upon design traditions. But ultimately, you'll be finding out how to create web sites that look drop-dead gorgeous.
152 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2008
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103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 1, 2009
كتاب مفيد وبسيط الأسلوب فى مجال تصميم واجهة الموقع استفدت من المفاهيم كبداية لى
لا يتحدث عن طريق تصميم محددة ولكن يتكلم بشكل عام عن المعايير الواجب توافرهافى التصميم ومراحل تصميم الموقع استفدت من جزء الأسئلة التى يجب طرحها على العميل
واهمية استخدام ال
Wire frames
and
The Rule of Thirds
A simpler version of the same principle is the rule of thirds. One way to use this is to divide your
designs into thirds, fill two thirds with content, and leave one third for whitespace
beside color wheel and how to choose colors
color schemes—formulas for choosing pleasing color combinations. There aresix traditional color schemes
Using Grids
it’s relatively easy to align elements and decide on their sizes
لا يتحدث عن طريق تصميم محددة ولكن يتكلم بشكل عام عن المعايير الواجب توافرهافى التصميم ومراحل تصميم الموقع استفدت من جزء الأسئلة التى يجب طرحها على العميل
واهمية استخدام ال
Wire frames
and
The Rule of Thirds
A simpler version of the same principle is the rule of thirds. One way to use this is to divide your
designs into thirds, fill two thirds with content, and leave one third for whitespace
beside color wheel and how to choose colors
color schemes—formulas for choosing pleasing color combinations. There aresix traditional color schemes
Using Grids
it’s relatively easy to align elements and decide on their sizes
July 1, 2011
A simple introduction to the principles of presentational, front-end web design. It’s a very easy, visual read, full of colorful examples. It covers several specific techniques, but it’s more inspirational than a reference book. I was hoping for more practical tips on using graphics and CSS.
Stocks says there’s no universal truth to creating an aesthetically pleasing site, but there are tried-and-true design frameworks that have developed over millennia. He shows how to start with traditional design conventions as a base, then innovate with novel use of composition, typography, color, etc.; “experiment within the confines of conventions”, as he puts it.
Topics
Research: write a brief, gather requirements, collect inspiration
Structure: site anatomy, sketches, sitemaps, and structure diagrams
Interaction: navigation, forms, multimedia, etc.; wireframes
Aesthetics: layering innovative beauty on top of conventions
Deliverables: giving client and developers what they need to go live
Research
Client website questionnaire
What do you want someone to do on the site (call to action)?
- tells business goal
How should a user feel when they visit the site? What should be their lasting experience?
- tells intended emotional effect
Name 3 sites that appeal to you, and why.
- tells what to emulate
Name 3 sites you don’t like, and why.
- tells what to avoid
What’s your budget and time frame?
- tells how much time to spend
Find design inspiration outside the web. Look to print media, architecture, fashion, products, packaging, etc.
Structure
Use WriteMaps for creating and sharing sitemaps.
Don’t use the exact same layout template for every page; add variety.
Navigation and Interaction
Read WEB Design: E-Commerce by Julius Wiedemann for ecommerce design.
Offer a positive experience: one that allows users to find info quickly and easily. Use comfortable conventions from the desktop and offline world to relax users.
Aesthetics
Great design works on the subconscious level. Users love what they see, and come back for more.
Read The Principles of Beautiful Web Design by Jason Beaird for layout and composition theory.
Use the Golden Rule or Rule of Thirds in layouts. The 960 Grid System can help.
Use Color Scheme Designer or Adobe’s Kuler for color scheme inspiration.
Engage the user by allowing them to play with the site and enjoy it.
Stocks says there’s no universal truth to creating an aesthetically pleasing site, but there are tried-and-true design frameworks that have developed over millennia. He shows how to start with traditional design conventions as a base, then innovate with novel use of composition, typography, color, etc.; “experiment within the confines of conventions”, as he puts it.
Topics
Research: write a brief, gather requirements, collect inspiration
Structure: site anatomy, sketches, sitemaps, and structure diagrams
Interaction: navigation, forms, multimedia, etc.; wireframes
Aesthetics: layering innovative beauty on top of conventions
Deliverables: giving client and developers what they need to go live
Research
Client website questionnaire
What do you want someone to do on the site (call to action)?
- tells business goal
How should a user feel when they visit the site? What should be their lasting experience?
- tells intended emotional effect
Name 3 sites that appeal to you, and why.
- tells what to emulate
Name 3 sites you don’t like, and why.
- tells what to avoid
What’s your budget and time frame?
- tells how much time to spend
Find design inspiration outside the web. Look to print media, architecture, fashion, products, packaging, etc.
Structure
Use WriteMaps for creating and sharing sitemaps.
Don’t use the exact same layout template for every page; add variety.
Navigation and Interaction
Read WEB Design: E-Commerce by Julius Wiedemann for ecommerce design.
Offer a positive experience: one that allows users to find info quickly and easily. Use comfortable conventions from the desktop and offline world to relax users.
Aesthetics
Great design works on the subconscious level. Users love what they see, and come back for more.
Read The Principles of Beautiful Web Design by Jason Beaird for layout and composition theory.
Use the Golden Rule or Rule of Thirds in layouts. The 960 Grid System can help.
Use Color Scheme Designer or Adobe’s Kuler for color scheme inspiration.
Engage the user by allowing them to play with the site and enjoy it.
May 7, 2009
I had high hopes for this book. I bought it expecting it to be - as advertised - an easy to digest yet informative and competent design manual, going into detail over types of web pages, different elements and of course variety of tricks to make the design pretty, all this supplied with commentary on usability, psychological reaction of viewers and customers' expectations.
Well, this is what I wanted this book to contain.
And it is there... It spans more or less 20 pages, out of 160, somewhere in the middle. First part of this book deals with coming up with a design - creating diagrams and sketches. The second part is developing an actual sexy website... but on an example. It could still be saved if the author did not merely write 'I use this and this because...', but also 'that and that could be used but it's not OK here because...'. Unfortunately, the tutorial is pretty straightforward and sounds more like a walkthrough rather than a tactical guide to web design.
The last part of Sexy Web Design is devoted to deliverables. Again, I expected to read about great mechanisms of corporate world, but everything turned out to be fairly simplistic and based on common sense.
There was one serious drawback except not much information: references to other articles and books. Every time an opportunity to throw in more data was presented, it was squelched with 'see article XYZ' and an URL, as if what was written in Sexy Web Design was enough for the reader (and it would be, for total beginner).
To understand this book, you need only a bit of love for web design. I can recommend it only for newbies in the field of web. If you ever tried to design a more complex site, considering its would-be use and audience and/or weighting different options in mind, you probably already know everything that you could learn from this book. Sexy Web Design does great job at introducing beginners to schematics of design process and management, but it's not a complex guide to themes and styles and cunning tricks, not by a far shot. It may only boost your self-confidence if you're a self-taught web designer.
Well, this is what I wanted this book to contain.
And it is there... It spans more or less 20 pages, out of 160, somewhere in the middle. First part of this book deals with coming up with a design - creating diagrams and sketches. The second part is developing an actual sexy website... but on an example. It could still be saved if the author did not merely write 'I use this and this because...', but also 'that and that could be used but it's not OK here because...'. Unfortunately, the tutorial is pretty straightforward and sounds more like a walkthrough rather than a tactical guide to web design.
The last part of Sexy Web Design is devoted to deliverables. Again, I expected to read about great mechanisms of corporate world, but everything turned out to be fairly simplistic and based on common sense.
There was one serious drawback except not much information: references to other articles and books. Every time an opportunity to throw in more data was presented, it was squelched with 'see article XYZ' and an URL, as if what was written in Sexy Web Design was enough for the reader (and it would be, for total beginner).
To understand this book, you need only a bit of love for web design. I can recommend it only for newbies in the field of web. If you ever tried to design a more complex site, considering its would-be use and audience and/or weighting different options in mind, you probably already know everything that you could learn from this book. Sexy Web Design does great job at introducing beginners to schematics of design process and management, but it's not a complex guide to themes and styles and cunning tricks, not by a far shot. It may only boost your self-confidence if you're a self-taught web designer.
August 31, 2011
Have you ever wondered if your design process is the right one for your projects? Have you ever thought that maybe there’s a step missing or maybe a specific phase that needs more emphasis on? After doing some research on the subject I found out that Elliot Jay Stocks, a very cool designer from the UK, had recently written a book about this called Sexy Web Design published by Sitepoint, a cool Aussie based book publisher and web & design reference website.
Overall idea of the book
In this book, Elliot shows you his process of creating a sexy website, from the initial briefing with the client to the final updates on the mockup. The author explains the purpose of each phase, exemplifies showing successful websites online and applies the proper technique on a demo project that is covered throughout the book.
Although the book covers a lot of content, the book doesn’t go very deep on each of them and some topics are left with just a few lines of explanation. Elliot tries to fix this issue by giving external references but sadly they are mostly to Sitepoint links or their books, which sound a little biased. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a frequent reader of Sitepoint‘s website but it wouldn’t hurt to throw a few more references.
The highlights
The chapter which covers inspiration and mood on websites is spot on just like the briefing and initial sketches approach suggested by the author. I like the idea of spending more time away from the computer to get your mind in the right place.
Conclusion
I would really recommend this book to any web designer. Even if you are sure that your design process is good enough for your projects, there’s always something interesting that lights a bulb in your head.
[Visit my website and read the book review.]
Overall idea of the book
In this book, Elliot shows you his process of creating a sexy website, from the initial briefing with the client to the final updates on the mockup. The author explains the purpose of each phase, exemplifies showing successful websites online and applies the proper technique on a demo project that is covered throughout the book.
Although the book covers a lot of content, the book doesn’t go very deep on each of them and some topics are left with just a few lines of explanation. Elliot tries to fix this issue by giving external references but sadly they are mostly to Sitepoint links or their books, which sound a little biased. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a frequent reader of Sitepoint‘s website but it wouldn’t hurt to throw a few more references.
The highlights
The chapter which covers inspiration and mood on websites is spot on just like the briefing and initial sketches approach suggested by the author. I like the idea of spending more time away from the computer to get your mind in the right place.
Conclusion
I would really recommend this book to any web designer. Even if you are sure that your design process is good enough for your projects, there’s always something interesting that lights a bulb in your head.
[Visit my website and read the book review.]
December 25, 2009
Read my review of Elloit Jay Stocks' book, 'Sexy Web Design.'
I purchased this book because I know the author writes great articles in .net magazine and I’ve read his blog entries on several occasions. I must say the book has lived up to my expectations – it’s taught me some great new methods to use while designing interfaces and reinforced a lot of things I’ve often thought but never known why!
I think the main thing this book has proven, is that firing up Photoshop should be the last part of your web ‘design’ process. I know it sounds daft – why should a design tool be the last part of designing? After reading the book you realise it’s right! It’s obvious why!
Read more?'
I purchased this book because I know the author writes great articles in .net magazine and I’ve read his blog entries on several occasions. I must say the book has lived up to my expectations – it’s taught me some great new methods to use while designing interfaces and reinforced a lot of things I’ve often thought but never known why!
I think the main thing this book has proven, is that firing up Photoshop should be the last part of your web ‘design’ process. I know it sounds daft – why should a design tool be the last part of designing? After reading the book you realise it’s right! It’s obvious why!
Read more?'
April 25, 2010
I like the Sitepoint books very much. That said, I hoped this book would bring something good about the design of web sites.
However, for me, who has some experience already, found almost nothing new or specially useful. The book does not go into detail in any subject. It's always "this would span a full book, so I will not get into detail".
Maybe for beginners this book should be of some use. But I got nothing from it, unfortunately. It's a shame, because Elliot is a great web designer and I'm sure he has a lot of experience to share.
However, for me, who has some experience already, found almost nothing new or specially useful. The book does not go into detail in any subject. It's always "this would span a full book, so I will not get into detail".
Maybe for beginners this book should be of some use. But I got nothing from it, unfortunately. It's a shame, because Elliot is a great web designer and I'm sure he has a lot of experience to share.
July 16, 2009
Good information on web design, but too short for a non-graphic-design oriented person such as myself. I realize it would have too be very long, however, to deal with this complaint... Good complement to some other web design books I have.
January 2, 2010
Has some good basic advice on web design, and some good beginning pointers - but not really very much substance to it. There is no info in here on coding, this is strictly design principals. Last chapter on exactly what should be considered in deliverables for the design stage was nice though.
May 5, 2009
The information is basic and supports a standard design process. The benefit is the informal, straight forward presentaion as well as examples and inspirational reference.
October 5, 2009
I devoured this book. Awesome, awesome, awesome.
September 9, 2012
My friend Alex, who is a shit-hot web designer, recommended this book. It took me maybe three hours to read the whole thing. It was ok. A good overview, but not as substantial as I had hoped.
April 1, 2011
Lots of good examples. Great tips.
December 9, 2011
divertente ma il livello è decisamente introduttivo
May 7, 2011
Easy read and good reminder to how to put together a website.
July 31, 2012
Easy read, useful ideas. Won't sell it back ;)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews