Just read this really thoughtful insight into web design which I have to say I agree with. Its to do with web design books and why we don’t feel as inspired to do a bit of web design after reading them (unlike other creative fields photography etc) .
I feel that the problem with putting websites in a book is that they are interactive things and can only be fully appreciated in there own environment.
Other fields of design aren’t limited like that. You can be inspired because it’s still static. I think product designers face the same issue as web designers which is why I don’t find those types of books that inspiring either.
When I started out it was almost like code first, design second. I think though these days with css, flash and things like mootools etc you have enough to put the code down for a sec and focus totally on the design.
What I try to do is design something without thinking about the code then when it comes to coding try and figure out how’s its going to be done then. This helped me become a better designer and coder when I broke it down that way.
Anyways check out sahadeva.com article I think its worth a read
Web design and stuff
.net magazine just published this cool article on some of the myths of web design (7 links in the navigation, 3 second rule) which to be honest im surprised that some of these still exist.
I think the problem is when you start making rules you just end up limiting yourself. We are ‘limited’ as it is to the technology of the time so why put more limitations on yourself. Surely we as web designers / developers should treat each web site we design / build as an individual piece that fits its own brief rather then trying to force self imposed rules on the look, feel and outcome.
Anyways check out the article.
Myths of web design