More on CSS and Web Design
Smashing Magazine has put together an article called 70 Expert Ideas for Better CSS Coding full of great CSS Tips. The typography tips are especially helpful.
Having said that…as I work with CSS, I’m finding that it’s easy to get lost in the technology and lose focus on the aesthetics. I was reminded of this while reading Jason Beaird’s The Principles of Beautiful Web Design. I highly recommend this book. It covers basic design principles like composition and color very well, and Beaird makes great suggestions for creating a reliable design process. I particularly like the idea of initially laying out a site on paper (yes, paper) and then working in Photoshop to create a comp, so you don’t get caught up in the technical aspects until you have a solid visual to work with. You can download a free chapter from Sitepoint (use the link above).
I’ve been a designer for 20 years. I started in the days of waxers and transfer letters, transitioned to the computer in the late eighties, and tackled web design in the early nineties. I’ve tried to keep up with all of the software and technologies of the trade, from HTML to CSS and JS, Pagemaker to InDesign. I’ve worked in both worlds–freelance and corporate, finding that they both have their upsides and drawbacks. It’s a challenge to stay current, but it’s my passion and the perfect profession for someone who never wants to be bored! I hope that I have something valuable to offer other designers.