Professional Web Design: Techniques and Templates (CSS & XHTML), Third Edition (Charles River Media Internet)

This is the must-have book for designers who want to expand their skills and improve the quality of their designs. Learning CSS technology and continually improving one's design and developer skills is essential for every Web designer in today's marketplace. The goal of Professional Web Design: Techniques and Templates is to educate beginning-to-intermediate Web designers on the various issues involved with Web design through general discussion, case studies, and specific tips and techniques. Using easy-to-understand language and concepts, the book teaches designers and developers how to create professional-quality CSS-based designs. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is explored, giving the reader a strong, basic understanding of how to get sites to rank better in search engines. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) also is explained, helping the designer create a more efficient site for the users who are already visiting. You'll get the benefit of the author's experience. With more than 15 years of experience as a Web designer for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and small businesses alike, Eccher has learned numerous tips and techniques of the trade and discloses them here, saving you time and aggravation by alerting you to potential pitfalls.

The new edition of this guide for beginning to intermediate Web designers includes 15 new Webpage templates (there are 65 now), and expanded coverage of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), client-side scripting with JavaScript, and server-side scripting with PHP. Topics include the concepts of mortising images and nesting tables; understanding graphics; branding a site; enhancing usability by simplifying architecture and developing consistent navigation; creating a comp (a mock-up of a page design); breaking up the comp into HTML, testing the page in Internet Explorer and Netscape, and uploading the site; tips and tricks for images, navigation, and color; and case studies for low-, medium-, and high-content designs. The final chapter describes how to customize the templates. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Booknews

This book/CD-ROM package presents 50 ready-to-use, license-free Web design templates; the source files are on the CD-ROM along with two free software packages and demo versions of third party software. Coverage includes the entire design process and the technical issues. Numerous projects and case studies help readers—beginners to intermediate level—develop and enhance their skills. Eccher is an experienced Web designer. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Overview of Web development today Designing for the past, present, and future Things to consider before beginning Enhancing usability Gathering requirements and creating a comp What is needed to build mortised sites Understanding graphics Creating CSS designs Case study: Low-content CSS design Case study: Medium-content CSS design Case study: High-content CSS design Case study: Full-height three-column layout Case study: Background-based design Case study: A CSS form Case Study: Low-content XHTML template Tips and techniques Search engine optimization (SEO) Conversion rate optimization (CRO) Customizing the designs included in this book Templates included on DVD. "Each chapter in the book is laid out as a complete tutorial that shows you how to use the amazing new Photoshop CS5 features to transform ordinary photos into incredible special effects and digital creations. You'll also find projects that illustrate the more practical uses of Photoshop to help you master your photo editing skills. With the skills you learn, you'll be able to spend more time working on the creative side of your art than worrying about the challenges of the technical aspects of the medium. Photoshop CS5 Trickery & FX shows you how to create fantastic digital art and imagery."--Resource description page This is a must have book for designers who want to expand their skills and improve the quality of their designs. Learning CSS technology and continually improving one's design and developer skills is essential for every Web designer in today's marketplace. The goal is to educate beginning to intermediate Web designers on the various issues involved with Web design through general discussion, case studies, and specific tips and techniques