Website Blueprints/ pg. 1

INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN
Table of Contents | Introduction | Chapter 1 | Graphical Version

      So you went out and made a webpage. But right now, it's not too impressive, right? Well, if you realize if your site needs work, then you've won half the battle.
      There are a lot of webpages out there on the World Wide Web. And sadly to say, a large percentage of those sites are either ugly or impossible to use. If you think that your page is either of the two -- be honest now!-- then you need to learn a bit about design.
      This book is aimed to help you create an attractive and functional webpage. Esthetics is very subjective; I can't say with a straight face that anyone else's preferences are better than mine. But there are a few conventions that you should probably follow. And that is what this book will attempt to inform you about.
      One of the steps to create a good, if not great, website is to understand the audience. You need to know a little psychology; since I'm fairly normal (I sure hope I am!) I will try to illuminate you on what is going on in my head when I am surfing the Web. This will be in little yellow boxes that should resemble Post-Its™.

      Another prerequisite of creating a nice webpage is to know how to write HTML code. If you don't know how to use a hammer, don't try to build a house. Although this book is not designed to teach you about HTML (if you do need a refresher, go read my other book, HTML Is Your Friend), I do provide some tips about construction. The bulk of these tricks and hacks are found in Chapter 8: Essential Tips. I do expect you to know the basics of HTML, how to write it, the more common tags, ex cetera.

      Before you start to learn anything from me about design, remember what your mother told you: "Always be yourself." And that's the same here. Your tastes don't necessarily have to be wrong -- but if you're reading this book, they probably are (just kidding!). Don't do anything to your page that you don't want to do. Your taste is most important; it is your page, after all, and your webpage should reflect some part of your personality; especially if it's a personal site.
      No matter what I say in this book, no matter what anyone else says in their books, just do whatever you feel like. Remember, this is only friendly advice. Now you should go read about the process of creating a website.


And a final note: Don't be offended at my attitude or ego. This is the way I talk. And write. If you have a problem with it, complain directly to me. And if you have any good design tips that I forgot about, also write to me at edh@optonline.net.