Khoi Vinh & Mark Boulton: Grids are Good

Are you grappling with how to design websites using a grid-based layout? Check out Khoi Vinh and Mark Boulton’s excellent design tutorial, Grids are Good.

The presentation starts with a brief history of grids, then walks you through a step-by-step example of redesigning a large portal-type site using a grid.

The portal example is especially interesting because […]

Tip: Don’t design site navigation like ads

Designing navigation may be one of the most critical parts of a web layout. Yet it always surprises me how many websites seem to put little effort into their navigation. Even websites that put every element together just right except for the navigation will have a hard time creating a positive experience for the user.

Jakob […]

10 portfolios that get right to the point

I’m not a fan of online portfolios. Why? Because most sites bury the actual work under layers of splash pages, flash animations, clunky page navigation, and jargony copywriting.

These gimmicks show technical prowess and cleverness but reek of overcompensation. When designing your next online portfolio, don’t get too fancy. Just get to the point, and show […]

Everything a web developer might need on one page

On my way to becoming a web designer, I am constantly searching for techniques, tutorials, and other resources. The Web Developer’s handbook is a hefty database of links on a range of subjects pertinent to web development and design—-all on one page.

The list is a bit intimidating at first, but you are sure to find […]

Designster: social networking and portfolio hosting for designers

The design world is getter closer together with Designster, a social networking site for designers to network for jobs, show off work, or just make new friends. It was created by my former teacher, David Karam, and his San Francisco design studio, Post Tool. Although still in development, Designster looks quite promising. I like the […]

Ah hah! Build easier, more efficient web pages with Server Side Includes

After posting Design like a pro: 20 web design tips last week, I began to put some of those tips into practice myself. Today, I discovered Server Side Includes (SSI)—-a technique so simple, I’m offended no one told me about it.

SSI allows you to reuse a piece of code without having to hand code it […]