Book suggestions for a well rounded web designer

Fundamentals & Theory

• "Don't Make Me Think, Revisited" by Steve Krug: A classic for user experience (UX) design, focusing on usability and making websites intuitive for users.

• "The Elements of User Experience" by Jesse James Garrett: A comprehensive guide to UX design principles, covering information architecture, interaction design, and visual design.

• "Designing for the Digital Age" by Kim Goodwin: Explores the human-centered design process and how to create meaningful digital experiences.

• "Universal Principles of Design" by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler: A visual encyclopedia of design principles applicable to all forms of design, including web design.

Visual Design & Aesthetics

• "Smashing Book" series: A collection of books showcasing inspiring web design trends, techniques, and best practices.

• "Color Theory: An Essential Guide to Understanding and Using Color" by Johannes Itten: A foundational book on color theory, crucial for creating visually appealing and harmonious designs.

• "Typography for the Web" by Richard Rutter: Explores the art and science of typography on the web, covering font selection, readability, and effective use of text.

• "The Non-Designer's Design Book" by Robin Williams: A practical guide to design principles, even if you don't consider yourself a "designer."

Front-End Development

• "Eloquent JavaScript" by Marijn Haverbeke: A comprehensive guide to JavaScript, covering core concepts, modern features, and best practices.

• "You Don't Know JS" series by Kyle Simpson: A deep dive into JavaScript internals, covering topics like scope, closures, and this.

• "CSS Secrets" by Lea Verou: Uncovers hidden techniques and lesser-known CSS features to unlock advanced styling possibilities.

• "HTML5 and CSS3: The Complete Reference" by Jon Duckett: A visually engaging and comprehensive guide to HTML5 and CSS3.

User Experience (UX) & Interaction Design

• "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" by Nir Eyal: Explores the psychology behind habit-forming products and how to design experiences that keep users engaged.

• "Interviewing Users" by Steve Portigal: A practical guide to conducting user research, from planning interviews to analyzing data.

• "Designing Interactions" by Dan Saffer: A visual guide to interaction design principles, covering gestures, feedback, and other key elements.

Beyond the Basics

• "Responsive Web Design" by Ethan Marcotte: The seminal book on responsive design, explaining the principles and techniques for creating websites that adapt to different screen sizes.

• "Designing for Emotion" by Aarron Walter: Explores the emotional aspects of user experience and how to design for joy, surprise, and trust.

• "Web Accessibility" by Laura Kalbag: A guide to creating inclusive websites that are accessible to people with disabilities.

Remember to:

• Read widely: Explore books on related fields like psychology, marketing, and technology to broaden your perspective.

• Stay updated: The web design field is constantly evolving, so keep learning about new technologies, trends, and best practices.

• Practice consistently: The best way to improve your skills is to put your knowledge into practice by building real-world projects.

This list provides a solid foundation for your web design journey.

Label the books by which would make good working guides or resources. Which books provide great advice.

Excellent Working Guides & Resources:

• "Don't Make Me Think, Revisited" by Steve Krug: A highly practical guide for improving website usability. It's packed with actionable advice and real-world examples.

• "Smashing Book" series: These books are filled with inspiring case studies, design trends, and practical techniques. They're great for staying updated and finding creative inspiration.

• "CSS Secrets" by Lea Verou: A treasure trove of advanced CSS techniques and lesser-known features. This book will help you push the boundaries of your CSS skills.

• "Eloquent JavaScript" by Marijn Haverbeke: A comprehensive and well-written guide to JavaScript, covering core concepts and modern features.

Books with Great Advice:

• "The Elements of User Experience" by Jesse James Garrett: Provides a solid foundation in UX design principles, offering valuable insights into the design process.

• "Designing for the Digital Age" by Kim Goodwin: Emphasizes human-centered design and how to create meaningful digital experiences.

• "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" by Nir Eyal: Explores the psychology behind habit-forming products, offering valuable insights for designing engaging user experiences.

• "Designing Interactions" by Dan Saffer: A visual guide to interaction design principles, covering essential concepts like gestures, feedback, and affordances.

Note:

• The "Smashing Book" series can be considered both a working guide and a source of inspiration.

• The lines between "working guides" and "books with great advice" can sometimes blur. Many of the books listed offer both practical guidance and valuable insights.

Select 2 books for me to start with, consider price. 1 should provide mostly advice the other should be a resource.

Here are two books that I recommend to start with:

• "Don't Make Me Think, Revisited" by Steve Krug: This book is a great choice for advice on web usability. It's packed with practical tips and real-world examples that can help you create user-friendly websites. It's also relatively affordable, typically ranging from $15 to $20.

• "Smashing Book #6: Front-End Development Workflow 2020": This book is a great resource for web designers and developers. It covers a wide range of topics, including CSS, JavaScript, and front-end development tools. It's a bit more expensive than "Don't Make Me Think," but it's a comprehensive and up-to-date resource that you can refer to for years to come.