If you are a web designer, you must have already looked up for a lot of resources online. Sometimes, there is nothing better than a physical copy of a book. Thus, it is important to get hold of some books which will help you to sit in peace and read. These books that we have listed below are great resources for web designers who are looking for go-to-resources to help them build great websites.
Web designing as a profession is an amalgamation of technology, design and art. Thus, the books listed below explore all the 3 domains and will also help you to get acquainted with emerging technologies. If you are unable to purchase all the books at once, you could request a few of your colleagues to buy some books as well, and share the burden of cost.
1. The Best American Infographics 2013
The Best American Infographics 2013 by Gareth Cook is a great book that tells its readers what infographics are, and why one must be specializing in them. Web designers often discount the importance of infographics in today’s world and the results can be dismal.
The fact that the human brain processes more visual stimuli than textual content is reason enough for web designers to concentrate on infographics. The Best American Infographics 2013 lists a number of great infographics and provides thoughtful explanations for each of them. This book is a great resource for any web designer who is looking for some inspiration.
Click here to purchase The Best American Infographics 2013 by Gareth Cook.
2. The Principles of Beautiful Web Design
Whether you want to understand the process of good design or you want to discover what great websites are made of, The Principles of Beautiful Web Design by Jason Beaird is a great book that will help you to understand your profession better. It helps you to understand how you can use color effectively and develop color schemes.
It also teaches you how to create pleasing layouts and employ textures in websites. It gives you information about grid-based design and how you could design better for mobile resolutions. This is one book that you would want to carry everywhere you go.
Click here to purchase The Principles of Beautiful Web Design by Jason Beaird
3. Designing Interfaces
Designing Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell is a useful book that you could even read before going to bed. Most web designers know that there are a number of UI toolkits available today. Yet, it is not easy to design great interfaces and people end up designing shoddy websites that do not attract a number of visitors. This bestselling book is a great resource for those who are attempting to learn more about design options.
It teaches you how to design engaging and useful interfaces without compromising on anything. It also goes deep into design concepts that are easily misunderstood. All in all, this is a great book that is a must-read for all web designers.
Click here to purchase Designing Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell
4. CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standards Solutions
CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standards Solutions by Simon Collison, Andy Budd and Cameron Moll is a great book that teaches web designers how to use CSS. It is meant for advanced learners who already know what they are doing. Yet, it can be used by novices who are trying to learn and grasp the concepts of CSS.
CSS is one of the most important technologies of today in order to design websites. Whoever is serious about designing websites will need to know at least a little bit about CSS. With that in mind, this book helps those who are looking for information on CSS.
Click here to purchase CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standards Solutions by Simon Collison, Andy Budd and Cameron
5. Learning Web Design: A Beginner’s Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics
Learning Web Design: A Beginner’s Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics by Jennifer Niederst Robbins is titled rather lengthily. However, this is a great book for designers who are looking at learning all the technologies predominantly required of web designers to succeed in their fields.
It teaches how to use HTML, CSS and Web Graphics in order to build formidable websites. It also teaches readers how to use web graphics to create attractive websites. This book is meant for beginners but is a good resource for advanced professionals as well.
Click here to purchase Learning Web Design: A Beginner’s Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics by Jennifer Niederst Robbins
6. Responsive Web Design (Brief Books for People Who Make Websites, No. 4)
Responsive Web Design (Brief Books for People Who Make Websites, No. 4) by Ethan Marcotte is designed for those who are still wondering what responsive web design is. It teaches beginners and advanced web designers about CSS techniques and design principles. It is a great book to learn more about fluid grids, flexible images and media queries.
Whether you like it or not, responsive web design is here to stay and is one of the most important methods to build websites. This book will only help you to do that better.
Click here to purchase Responsive Web Design (Brief Books for People Who Make Websites, No. 4) by Ethan Marcotte
7. CSS3 for Web Designer
CSS3 for Web Designer by Dan Cederholm is specifically designed for those who want to specialize in CSS. CSS, as we all know, is an important part of web designing. The fact that CSS is more important in responsive websites makes it an important technique to learn.
It teaches you how to use CSS and what to do when browsers do not support CSS. This book clearly explains CSS3 code and makes designing websites a fun activity. By reading this book, you can rest assured that your website will always look great and function great as well.
Click here to purchase CSS3 for Web Designer by Dan Cederholm
8. Designing for the Digital Age: How to Create Human-Centered Products and Services
Designing for the Digital Age: How to Create Human-Centered Products and Services by Kim Goodwin and Alan Cooper is a great book that describes the time and relevance of web designing. The fact that we are in a digital age is something that every web designer must bear in mind.
We are in a postmodern age, even in terms of Internet, which makes it all the more important to not stick to a single dogma. This book explores how human centered products and services can be created with digital age in mind. It is not really about web designing, but is a must-read for those who are interested in the philosophy of design.
Click here to purchase Designing for the Digital Age: How to Create Human-Centered Products and Services by Kim Goodwin and Alan Cooper
9. Adaptive Web Design: Crafting Rich Experiences with Progressive
Adaptive Web Design: Crafting Rich Experiences with Progressive Enhancement by Aaron Gustafson and Jeffrey Zeldman takes a close and intimate look at Adaptive Web Design. This method is probably one of the most important methods to design websites.
The book is written in a clear and lucid language that helps readers to understand the philosophy behind adaptive web design. Whether you are a novice or an advanced learner, what is important is to pick up this book and start learning more about adaptive web design.
Click here to purchase Adaptive Web Design: Crafting Rich Experiences with Progressive Enhancement by Aaron Gustafson and Jeffrey Zeldman
10. Content Strategy for Mobile
Content Strategy for Mobile by Karen McGrane gives you a clear idea about how people consume content these days. You do not get to choose how your target audience is reading your content.
In order to make sure that your website looks great and functions well, your content needs to be amazing as well. This book is designed to tell you how to create content that works, from a web designer’s perspective, in a mobile context.
Click here to purchase Content Strategy for Mobile by Karen McGrane
What is important is that you read all these books and begin to discover even more books on design, art and technology so that you are well prepared to design websites for a brave new world. Here is another useful e-book for you that can help you understand the importance of white space in website design and how to use it for creating great looking websites:
White Spaces Galore – A Handbook to Building Readable Websites
Click here to download this e-book by Indus Net Technologies.
None of these books are very expensive and we believe these books will help budding web designers to hone their skills and also refer back when they are in doubt.
