Web Design - A Complete Introduction

Simply the best introduction to all aspects of the design and development of successful Web sites.
As the World Wide Web has matured, the need for high quality education in all aspects of Web design has become widely acknowledged. This book is a core text for undergraduate and masters courses that provides a complete introduction to every aspect of the building of Web pages and Web sites. A complete understanding of the basics of all aspects of Web design is essential to the development of good practice.
Starting from a review of Web experiences, the text provides a deep and thorough introduction to Web technology, markup, stylesheets, Web graphics, Web animation and embedded video, client-side scripting, Web applications, usability, accessibility, page design and site design. At all times, the focus remains on good practice, underpinned by sound principles, in the context of the real World Wide Web. Full coverage of the essential technologies is provided: HTTP, XHTML, CSS, Javascript and the DOM, and the use of Web Standards is emphasized throughout as an essential part of the authors' forward-looking approach. Some elementary programming knowledge is required for use of this text.
Suitable for course use or self-study, this comprehensive introduction represents a complete overview of the practice of Web design, providing clear summaries and a wealth of exercises and short practical assignments, as well as a valuable survey of the most popular software tools used in Web design. An extensive glossary and a wide rage of other supplementary material are provided on the supporting Web site.

Nigel Chapman is a well-known author of books on new media technologies and programming languages. Nigel taught Computer Science at University College London until he became a freelance writer, researcher and consultant.
Jenny Chapman is an award-winning new media, animation and video artist, and a Lecturer in new media animation at Edinburgh College of Art.

Welcome.
1. Web Experiences.
Web Pages and Sites.
Using the Web.
The Web Community.
Web Design Principles.
New Developments.
Key Points.
Exercises.
2. Web Technology.
Web Pages.
Fetching Pages.
Data Representations.
Transmission of Digital Data.
Key Points.
Exercises.
3. Markup.
XML.
XHTML.
Key Points.
Exercises.
4. Stylesheets.
Rules in CSS.
Typography.
Layout.
Positioning.
Special Cases.
Advanced Features of CSS.
Key Points.
Exercises.
5. Web Graphics.
Display and Storage of Images.
Colour.
Bitmapped Images.
Vector Graphics.
XHTML Markup for Images.
Key Points.
Exercises.
6. Time-Based Media.
Time-Based Media and Web Pages.
Animation.
Video.
Sound.
Key Points.
Exercises.
7. DOM Scripting.
Fundamentals.
The DOM.
JavaScript.
Dynamic Pages.
Applications of DOM Scripting.
Embedded Applications.
Key Points.
Exercises.
8. Web Applications.
Server-Side Technologies.
Ready-Made Applications.
Databases.
Dynamically Generated Pages.
Key Points.
Exercises.
9. Web Accessibility.
Problems with Access.
Assistive Technology.
Making Sites More Accessible.
Accessible Content.
Accessible Function.
Key Points.
Exercises.
10. Web Page Design.
Visual Communication.
Layout.
Colour and Tone.
Typography.
Key Points.
Exercises.
11. Web Site Design.
Logical Structure.
URL Structure.
Navigational Structure.
Creating Web Sites.
Epilogue.
Key Points.
Exercises.
Appendix A. Software for Web Designers.
Appendix B. XML Namespaces.
Index.