Great Web Architecture (... Secrets (IDG))

While some books on general Web site design focus on particular technologies and others on one-size-fits-all rules, Great Web Architecture offers a fascinating examination of the structural designs of some of the Web's best sites and how they solve key design challenges. Author and graphic designer Clay Andres has created a highly engaging and truly instructive guide.

Andres's technique is simple: identify the major decision points in site design and examine closely those sites that overcome particular obstacles or illustrate concepts. He highlights sites from Starbucks, Purina, The Getty Center, Salon Magazine, Specialized, and many others--all excellent case studies. The pages of this book are packed with small format screen shots and step-by-step analysis of how the site in question is constructed and why. These examinations are supplemented with a number of interviews with the site developers to add a first-hand perspective.

This book is notable not only for its fine selection of sites but also for its practical advice. For example, Andres illustrates the benefits of cascading style sheets (CSS) but also explains frankly why they are not as widely used as you might expect. The book wraps up with lengthy responses to survey questions posed to the featured developers. Great Web Architecture is bound to capture the attention of aspiring designers and improve their techniques. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered: Page hierarchies, site flow, graphic design, text techniques, branding, delivering information, e-commerce store design, multimedia integration.