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Learning Web Design: A Beginner's Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics
Do you want to build web pages, but have no previous experience? This friendly guide is the perfect place to start. You’ll begin at square one, learning how the Web and web pages work, and then steadily build from there. By the end of the book, you’ll have the skills to create a simple site with multi-column pages that adapt for mobile devices.
Learn how to use the latest techniques, best practices, and current web standards—including HTML5 and CSS3. Each chapter provides exercises to help you to learn various techniques, and short quizzes to make sure you understand key concepts.
This thoroughly revised edition is ideal for students and professionals of all backgrounds and skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or brushing up on existing skills.
Build HTML pages with text, links, images, tables, and forms
Use style sheets (CSS) for colors, backgrounds, formatting text, page layout, and even simple animation effects
Learn about the new HTML5 elements, APIs, and CSS3 properties that are changing what you can do with web pages
Make your pages display well on mobile devices by creating a responsive web design
Learn how JavaScript works—and why the language is so important in web design
Create and optimize web graphics so they’ll download as quickly as possible
Learn how to use the latest techniques, best practices, and current web standards—including HTML5 and CSS3. Each chapter provides exercises to help you to learn various techniques, and short quizzes to make sure you understand key concepts.
This thoroughly revised edition is ideal for students and professionals of all backgrounds and skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or brushing up on existing skills.
Build HTML pages with text, links, images, tables, and forms
Use style sheets (CSS) for colors, backgrounds, formatting text, page layout, and even simple animation effects
Learn about the new HTML5 elements, APIs, and CSS3 properties that are changing what you can do with web pages
Make your pages display well on mobile devices by creating a responsive web design
Learn how JavaScript works—and why the language is so important in web design
Create and optimize web graphics so they’ll download as quickly as possible
619 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2001
342 people are currently reading
1182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 12, 2014
Finally I finished reading this book.
As a web designer and developer, must of the information mentioned here are not new. But I learned a lot of this book, and I revised a lot of things that I have forgotten by time.
I like books with exercises, it enables you to test what you learned in real world projects. This book contains a lot of exercises and Test-Your-Self at the end of each chapter. With a pen and a piece of paper, answering these tests means that you are done learning the theoretical part of this chapter.
Reading the book alone is not enough. You will have to open your text editor along with your browser to practice what you learned and make mistakes. Without trying and making mistakes, you are not learning.
Actually I skipped the last chapter which talks about compression,I already have the required tools to compress my graphics, so really I will not waste my time on it. There are still much more to learn.
As a web designer and developer, must of the information mentioned here are not new. But I learned a lot of this book, and I revised a lot of things that I have forgotten by time.
I like books with exercises, it enables you to test what you learned in real world projects. This book contains a lot of exercises and Test-Your-Self at the end of each chapter. With a pen and a piece of paper, answering these tests means that you are done learning the theoretical part of this chapter.
Reading the book alone is not enough. You will have to open your text editor along with your browser to practice what you learned and make mistakes. Without trying and making mistakes, you are not learning.
Actually I skipped the last chapter which talks about compression,I already have the required tools to compress my graphics, so really I will not waste my time on it. There are still much more to learn.
January 1, 2023
I am constantly asked, “What are the best resources for learning web technology?” I learned by reading books. Blog posts are great, but you also need an in-depth comprehensive look at the subject. In the beginning, all books were beginner books, teaching HTML, URLs, and how to use a browser. When CSS came along, the books assumed you’d already been using HTML, and taught you how to change to the new techniques. Then CSS3 came along, and all the books taught us how to add new CSS properties to our preexisting understanding of CSS2. Of course there were always books for beginners, but they were super basic. They never touched on professional techniques for aspiring professionals. Each new generation of books assumed that you had prior knowledge. Great for those of us in the industry. Tough for anyone new. But how in the world are you supposed to read about two decades of techniques, discarding what is outdated, and remembering what is still correct? How are you supposed to build a career from knowledge that’s so basic that you have no idea what real pros code in their everyday jobs?
You can’t. That’s why today when people ask me for a book recommendation, I have only one answer. This book.
—Jen Simmons
Designer and Developer Advocate at Mozilla
Member of the CSS Working Group
July 3, 2021
Morališkai (techniškai) atgyvenusi knyga. Norinčiam išmokti kurti web dizainą nerekomenduočiau. (Ir tai sakau kaip dirbantis su web dizaino programavimu.)
- Nors knyga aiški, o jos spauda kokybiška,
- Knygos turinys tiesiog beviltiškai pasenęs. Atrodo kad kalbama apie CSS2 dizaino kalbą ir XHTML pagrindus, kai dabar jau seniausiai yra CSS3 bei HTML5, o greitu metu šie pereis ir į dar naujesnes versijas.
- Pamirštamas JavaScript, kas yra šiuolaikinio interneto pagrindas.
Jei norite išmokti programuoti web dizainą (frontend), geriau pradėkite šiuos nemokamus interaktyvius kursus: freecodecamp.org
Šios knygos skaityti, o tuo labiau pirkti, labai nerekomenduoju.
- Nors knyga aiški, o jos spauda kokybiška,
- Knygos turinys tiesiog beviltiškai pasenęs. Atrodo kad kalbama apie CSS2 dizaino kalbą ir XHTML pagrindus, kai dabar jau seniausiai yra CSS3 bei HTML5, o greitu metu šie pereis ir į dar naujesnes versijas.
- Pamirštamas JavaScript, kas yra šiuolaikinio interneto pagrindas.
Jei norite išmokti programuoti web dizainą (frontend), geriau pradėkite šiuos nemokamus interaktyvius kursus: freecodecamp.org
Šios knygos skaityti, o tuo labiau pirkti, labai nerekomenduoju.
June 1, 2011
This is the most comprehensive book on HTML and CSS I’ve read so far. It reads like a textbook and is quite impersonal, which is a shame because author Jennifer Niederst Robbins has been designing since 1993 and obviously has a lot of experience to share. The book was published in June 2007, so it teaches HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0 and CSS 2.1, and is somewhat dated. Even so, it’s a great introduction to web design principles, HTML, and CSS.
Each chapter includes several exercises and ends with a test, which I found very helpful for gauging my understanding. The book concentrates on HTML and CSS and doesn’t touch scripting, but there are two chapters on graphics and many tips for other areas of web design.
Notes
HTML
Put decorative images in CSS, not HTML.
POST hides submitted data and has no character limit. GET appends form data to the URL, enabling bookmarking, but has a 256 character limit.
Put form controls in lists; ordered lists if order matters, otherwise unordered .
CSS
Use ems or percentages for font sizes.
Use {white-space: pre;} to preserve character spaces.
Use ems or pixels for box model measurements (content, padding, border, margin).
Use {visibility: hidden;} to hide an element but hold its space blank, and {display: none;} to hide an element and close the space it would have occupied.
Regardless of layout, try to put the main content above extras in the source markup. Position-based layouts are better for this since float-based layouts require elements to be marked up in the order in which they’re laid out.
Web graphics
Use GIF or PNG for graphics with flat colors and hard edges. Use PNG for alpha transparency. Use JPG for photos or graduated color.
Each chapter includes several exercises and ends with a test, which I found very helpful for gauging my understanding. The book concentrates on HTML and CSS and doesn’t touch scripting, but there are two chapters on graphics and many tips for other areas of web design.
Notes
HTML
Put decorative images in CSS, not HTML.
POST hides submitted data and has no character limit. GET appends form data to the URL, enabling bookmarking, but has a 256 character limit.
Put form controls in lists; ordered lists if order matters, otherwise unordered .
CSS
Use ems or percentages for font sizes.
Use {white-space: pre;} to preserve character spaces.
Use ems or pixels for box model measurements (content, padding, border, margin).
Use {visibility: hidden;} to hide an element but hold its space blank, and {display: none;} to hide an element and close the space it would have occupied.
Regardless of layout, try to put the main content above extras in the source markup. Position-based layouts are better for this since float-based layouts require elements to be marked up in the order in which they’re laid out.
Web graphics
Use GIF or PNG for graphics with flat colors and hard edges. Use PNG for alpha transparency. Use JPG for photos or graduated color.
August 26, 2023
I learned a lot and was surprised to find I enjoyed the textbook's humor.
December 31, 2012
It took me two months to read it (at over 600 pages), but I finally finished! I bought it as part of an OReilly eBook sale earlier in the year, as I'd been planning to revamp the code I use for the family on-line Advent Calendar. This was perfect for that - my HTML skills were stuck in the mid-nineties, and I'd never got my head round CSS. As this was an overview of HTML5, CSS, JavaScript and image manipulation, as well as general web design principles, it fitted well.
This is a very well put together book. Its beautifully laid out, and has colour examples for almost every thing mentioned, leading to an excellent idea of what is discussed and how its implemented.
I made 57 annotations and notes - just under one every 10 pages, and I've used a lot of the skills I've learned already, with a much better understanding for the future. Can't recommend this highly enough.
This is a very well put together book. Its beautifully laid out, and has colour examples for almost every thing mentioned, leading to an excellent idea of what is discussed and how its implemented.
I made 57 annotations and notes - just under one every 10 pages, and I've used a lot of the skills I've learned already, with a much better understanding for the future. Can't recommend this highly enough.
July 9, 2023
I use this book (or the current version) for my undergraduate "Introduction to Web Design" course. Jennifer Niederst Robbins presents concepts in a methodical, orderly fashion appropriate for beginners with no experience. Her writing is conversational and humorous. The book is full of examples, and I find my students learn best from reading about a concept, seeing it in action, and then applying it themselves. If I were to write a book about web design for beginners, this would be the book I would write.
December 19, 2018
Simply saying, this book gives you a very detailed information about HTML5, CSS3 and semantic web concepts and for someone who just wants to start creating a HTML file with some styles, it is absolutely verbose, but I believe for professionals it does have good hints.
The JavaScript and JQuery section is very brief but it got me the base idea to know how these technologies work.
This book has practical exercises, definitive pictures and quizzes.
The JavaScript and JQuery section is very brief but it got me the base idea to know how these technologies work.
This book has practical exercises, definitive pictures and quizzes.
October 18, 2019
Did not, could not, finish. This book read more like a novel, and less like a how-to book. It was pedantic, wordy, and difficult to follow. I gave up. I learned HTML, CSS, and Javascript from a much better source in a matter of weeks. Will keep this book around as a reference tool only.
July 20, 2016
Incredibly well put together book. Very easy to read through. If you're a beginner or know little to nothing about web design, this book is for you.
February 2, 2017
My Paperback
October 1, 2018
LOVED THIS BOOK!
Delves into the concepts of HTML 5, CSS3, and Javascript very well. It made a great companion to Adobe Dreamweaver CC 2018 by Against the Clock.
This is a great reference!
Delves into the concepts of HTML 5, CSS3, and Javascript very well. It made a great companion to Adobe Dreamweaver CC 2018 by Against the Clock.
This is a great reference!
December 15, 2021
This was probably the best book I read while learning frontend development! Simply nothing bad to say...
March 23, 2023
Front-End Favorite
This book is an outstanding resource for anyone looking to start a career in web design. This book covers all the basics, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and provides practical tips and strategies for creating beautiful, functional websites.
One thing I appreciated about this book was its up-to-date information. Robbins has done an excellent job of staying current with the latest web design trends and technologies. She provides readers with a comprehensive overview of everything from the basics of HTML and CSS to more advanced topics like responsive design and web graphics.
What sets this book apart is Robbins' clear and engaging writing style. She does an excellent job of explaining complex concepts in simple terms, making it easy for beginners to follow along. The book is also filled with numerous examples, illustrations, and exercises that reinforce what you've learned.
I also loved the typography!
Overall, I highly recommend this. Whether you're a complete beginner or just looking to brush up on your skills, this book is an excellent resource that will help you take your web design skills to the next level.
4.4/5
This book is an outstanding resource for anyone looking to start a career in web design. This book covers all the basics, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and provides practical tips and strategies for creating beautiful, functional websites.
One thing I appreciated about this book was its up-to-date information. Robbins has done an excellent job of staying current with the latest web design trends and technologies. She provides readers with a comprehensive overview of everything from the basics of HTML and CSS to more advanced topics like responsive design and web graphics.
What sets this book apart is Robbins' clear and engaging writing style. She does an excellent job of explaining complex concepts in simple terms, making it easy for beginners to follow along. The book is also filled with numerous examples, illustrations, and exercises that reinforce what you've learned.
I also loved the typography!
Overall, I highly recommend this. Whether you're a complete beginner or just looking to brush up on your skills, this book is an excellent resource that will help you take your web design skills to the next level.
4.4/5
October 11, 2023
Ordering a professional corporate website design for your business is a key step to strengthening your online presence and attracting new customers. After selecting best web designers in the world, we began discussing the project in detail. This included setting deadlines, milestones, and specific design requirements. It was important to ensure open communication and understanding between myself and the agency team. After several rounds of edits and refinements, my new corporate website was ready. The agency provided launch and training support so that I could manage the site on my own. Commissioning the agency's corporate website design services proved to be a successful move for my business. The new website meets all my expectations and I now have a modern and attractive online resource to attract customers.
April 21, 2020
Bardzo żałuję, że książka nie jest bardziej aktualna, bo napisana jest świetnie i dużo wyjaśnia, ale niestety brakuje w niej wiedzy o najnowszych technologiach. Oczywiście tworzenia stron nie da się nauczyć z podręcznika, ale mimo to uważam tę książkę za wartościową, ponieważ skutecznie porządkuje zdobytą już wiedzę praktyczną i zwraca uwagę na niuanse HTML i CSS. Rozdział o JavaScript jest taki sobie, podobnie jak ostatnia część o grafice. Ale działy poświęcone HTML i CSS, które stanowią większość książki, są naprawdę pomocne. Trudno mi powiedzieć, czy jest sens czytać w 2020 roku podręcznik z 2014, pewnie nie bardzo, ale na pewno mi nie zaszkodziło i cieszę się, że przeczytałam tę książkę.
April 11, 2019
I wanted a primer on the field of web design to adapt to a new role in my job. This book was suited to the task well. I think it gives a more historical overview, covering recent trends as well as long-term trends. It manages to be relatively unopinionated in a field where everyone has their own opinion on the musts and must-nots of web development.
January 13, 2021
"(some html is ok)" каже підпис до блоку для коментарів до книги.
ок, але, можливо, не для мене)) добре було зануритись на тиждень у код і сценарії сторінок для потреб аналітичного розуму, але от не більше. шкода на це все очей та життя))
ок, але, можливо, не для мене)) добре було зануритись на тиждень у код і сценарії сторінок для потреб аналітичного розуму, але от не більше. шкода на це все очей та життя))
December 8, 2016
*3.5 stars*
This is a great book for beginners and also a good refresher for professionals. I particularly liked that it not only teaches HTML & CSS but also touches on the tools of the trade.
This is a great book for beginners and also a good refresher for professionals. I particularly liked that it not only teaches HTML & CSS but also touches on the tools of the trade.
May 8, 2017
Clear writing and examples. Covers a lot of ground but does it without overwhelming. This is a book I'll be referring back to for many years.
July 14, 2017
A bit dry at times but great introduction into front end web design.
September 21, 2017
i haven't done to read enough
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2017
The best guide to understand CSS3!
March 9, 2019
amazing book for the beginners
May 2, 2019
mostly for HTML and CSS, but refreshingly clear and useful nonetheless
Want to read
August 29, 2019good
December 9, 2020
Great book for beginners
-have a lot of exercises and examples
-encourage you to try the examples
the writer has clear language and discuss many useful concepts in nice way.
-have a lot of exercises and examples
-encourage you to try the examples
the writer has clear language and discuss many useful concepts in nice way.
December 28, 2020
It is a good book, but following a single piece of literature is not the best way to learn web development.
June 12, 2024
Used this to make a website!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews