Learning Web Design : A Beginner's Guide to HTML, Graphics, and Beyond

In this text author Jennifer Niederst shares the knowledge she's gained from years of Web design experience, both as a designer and as a teacher. This book starts from the very beginning - defining the Internet, the Web, browsers, and URLs - so you don't have to have any previous knowledge about how the Web works. Jennifer shows how to build the solid foundation in HTML, graphics, and design principles that are needed for crafting effective Web pages. She also explains the nature of the medium and unpacks the Web design process from conceptualization to the final result. "Learning Web Design" covers the nuts and bolts of basic HTML, with detailed examples that illustrate how to format text, add graphic elements, make links, create tables and frames, and use colour on the Web. In addition to a rundown on each HTML tag, there are tips on using three popular authoring programs: Macromedia Dreamweaver, Adobe GoLive, and Microsoft FrontPage. The text explains whether to use GIFs or JPEGs for different types of images and includes important tips on optimizing graphics for Web delivery. It also demonstrates step-by-step graphics creation using three popular Web graphic tools: Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Fireworks, and JASC Paint Shop Pro. "Learning Web Design" offers a tutorial on building usable Web sites that covers information design, interface design, and navigation systems. Provides dozens of web design DOs and DON'Ts, to help you make good Web design decisions and avoid common beginner traps. The book provides everything needed to create basic Web sites, and should prepare readers for more advanced Web work.