These are my favorite audio podcasts covering web design and related topics such as web development, usability, and freelancing. Maybe some day I'll write a review for each one, but for now, I just pasted the description from each podcast's site or iTunes page. I've listed them roughly in the order I like them. For […]
Starting Your Career as a Freelance Web Designer by Neil TortorellaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars I’m starting to freelance as a part-time web designer, so this book was exactly what I needed. It addresses all areas of freelance web design, including the design process, rates and billing, contracts, insurance, client relations, and marketing. Tortorella […]
Note: The Freelance Jam podcast has been discontinued. This week I discovered Freelance Jam, a podcast for web freelancers. The iTunes description is "Freelance Jam is the show for independent professionals who build the web. Hosted by Brian Casel (@casjam) and Dave Yankowiak (@daveyank) with guests from across the web industry. Topics include freelance business, […]
Sexy Web Design: Creating Interfaces that Work by Elliott Jay Stocks My rating: 2 of 5 stars A simple introduction to the principles of presentational, front-end web design. It’s a very easy, visual read, full of colorful examples. It covers several specific techniques, but it’s more inspirational than a reference book. I was hoping for […]
Web Design: A Beginner's Guide Second Edition by Wendy Willard My rating: 2 of 5 stars This book is probably only useful if you're completely new to web design. The book itself isn't very educational, but it includes dozens of references to tools, sites, and services that are useful for learning web design. The most […]
Web Design All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies by Sue Jenkins My rating: 3 of 5 stars A simple, visual reference for beginning web designers. Five books in one, covering many areas related to web design, including planning, designing, graphics, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, web standards, testing, hosting, and search engine optimization. In her examples, the author […]
WordPress For Dummies by Lisa Sabin-Wilson My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is the best WordPress book I’ve read so far; it’s great for beginners and intermediate WordPress designers. Lisa Sabin-Wilson, a well-known WordPress authority with firsthand experience, starts with the basics and builds up in each chapter. Beyond the essentials, there’s an appropriate […]
Website Owner's Manual by Paul Boag My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book instructs website owners in using their website(s) to engage customers and build their brand. I’ve read several technical web design books lately, but wanted to read this one to see things from the site owner’s perspective, in preparation for working with […]
Slammed into the lockers? Check. Picked last for sports? Check. Wedgies in the hallway? Check. Yup, I grew up a geek. In grade school, I preferred reading to playing sports. I especially liked science; Bill Nye the Science Guy was one of my favorite TV shows. When I was 7 or 8, my dad brought […]
Design and Launch an Online Web Design Business by Jason Rich My rating: 3 of 5 stars My long-term goal is for OptimWise to become a web design firm, creating and promoting websites for small businesses. I've been looking for the best books about succeeding in the web design business. I wasn't very impressed by […]
How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Web Site Design Business: With Companion CD - ROM by Charlotte Evans My rating: 3 of 5 stars After meeting with a few local web designers a few weeks ago, I was inspired to accelerate my plans to move OptimWise into web design. I know how to […]
