5 simple things - A Practical Guide to Designing for the Web
Everyday I bump into a lot of sources concerning web design or design in general. I have learned to sort out the useful ones from the rest but I often have the feeling there’s nothing original anymore. When I heard about 5 simple things - A Practical Guide to Designing for the Web, the book written by Mark Boulton I admit I was very hesitant to but it. In the end I decided to give it a try.
Before I say anything about the book let me remind you that Mark Boulton is a Web designer who begun as a graphic one. Many graphic designers who want to design for the Web don’t get the difference and they think all they need to do is to transform a static layout for a magazine into a design for the Web. Boulton doesn’t think so. So we ‘re very lucky he wants to share with us such an interesting load of knowledge.
His book, 5 simple things - A Practical Guide to Designing for the Web, was impressive because he not only shares his view as a professional, experienced designer but he does it so smoothly, almost magically. I admire writers who select to be simple and stay away from showing off. Boulton could show off anytime, but he doesn’t.
The chapters
- Introduction
- Research & Ideas
- Typography
- Colors
- Layout
Introduction is the only chapter not so strongly connected to design. In this one Boulton shares his story and how he started as a designer of a small company, he moved on and became a Senior Art Director in a big agency and how in the end decided to leave all behind and start with his own tiny design studio. I love this part of the book but I feel it is not properly connected with the following chapters. I ‘d like to learn more about Boulton’s thoughts on this but not in this book.
The next chapter, Research & Ideas was the less important as long as it regards me. It is good to see how a famous Web designer approaches his work, but I think every designer has his very own way. However I liked a lot the Brief section of the chapter.
The rest chapters cover what Boulton does best. I won’t say much about the Typography chapter. If you visit this website you must know I adore typography. I believe Boulton is simply one of the best in this area. The chapter was great.
Regarding the Color chapter I thought I have learned everything I needed to during my studies as a physicist. This is only partially true, because this book helped me start over from a different point of view. I love Boulton’s analysis on Hue, Saturation and Brightness along with the examples. By showing us certain examples of websites where a specific color scheme works well for each one of them is valuable, because it proves that good design leaves our ego out of the story.
The last chapter Layout is the best one. Grid design, the Rule of Thirds, the Looking Room, the use of negative space and most of all putting it all together in a real website. What more could you ask? This chapter is really fascinating. Boulton writes and illustrates the way a great dancer performs on a stage in front of a difficult audience. In the end he deserves out applause.
-Should I buy this book -Yes!
5 simple things - A Practical Guide to Designing for the Web is a book that worths every single cent (or should I say penny) your going to spend for it. It costs £12. Don’t download this book from a torrent. Don’t get it from a friend. Just buy it.