Posts Tagged web

Review: Web Style Guide

By Matt

September 11th, 2009

I recently read the Web Style Guide (3rd ed.) by Patrick J. Lynch and Sarah Horton. This book struck me as a mature, down-to-earth, and useful guide to designing for the web. The authors intelligently address the web development process, information design, page structure, layout and typography. They avoid gimmicky trends and focus on approach as opposed to rushing into new technologies; it’s not a how-to guide or a book about any particular web system or language. Instead, the authors elaborate on emerging standards and conventions the web community has developed over the past two decades.

I was particularly impressed by Lynch and Horton’s commitment to universal usability, that is, designing to support all users, including those not typically supported such as the visually-impaired. As a result, they rightly emphasize the semantic nature of HTML. For example, instead of creating your headings with a styled <div> tag, use the appropriate <h*> tag and style as necessary. (This prompted me to re-familiarize myself with some of the underused features of HTML, including <abbr> for abbreviations, <cite> for in-document citations, <address> for addresses, and <dl>, <dt>, <dd> for lists of terms and definitions.) By using these tags instead of styled <p> or <div> tags, you can provide hints to screen readers and search engines about how to render or interpret your web content.

The Web Style Guide is generally helpful, easy to read, and well-written. (I recommend it if you plan to re-design your own website.) If you don’t feel like purchasing the text or simply want to sample some of the content, you can access the full text online.

m

ps: unfortunately, reading this book made me realize that I have a lot of work to do to improve this site. Don’t judge me by the authors’ standards just yet!

Tags: , , ,
Posted under books, tech • No Comments