Above the Fold: Understanding the Principles of Successful Web Site Design

Above the Fold is a book about the fundamentals of effective graphic communication set in the context of Web design. Unlike other books that focus on the intersection of design and technology, Above the Fold explores the relationship between the stakeholders of a Web project-- the designer, the user and the client -- and how this continuous cycle affects the decisions made by successful Web designers. Above the Fold is not technical manual or a how-to book, nor is it about timely trends; it's about the timeless fundamentals of layout, usability and measurement that lead to a successful digital product.

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Best Books Available On The Web Design Process

By Steffan Antonas - April 28, 2011

Brian clearly put a lot of thought and careful consideration into the structure, content and flow of the book. It's well done. I've been building websites for 4 or 5 years now and this is the first book I've found that does a good job of walking the reader through the entire thought process of planning and creating a structured strategy for designing websites. If you're sold on the idea that smart thinking and great design thrive on a methodical approach, this book will delight you. That said, it's not a how-to book on building code or using tools like Photoshop, so if you're just getting into web design and you're itching to learn specific skills for building stuff, you'll probably want to hold off on buying this for now and come back to it later when you're ready to start doing professional projects. Just do so knowing that, when you do eventually come back and read it, you'll probably kick yourself for not having read this one upfront ;-).

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Web Design Demystified

By Ted A. Dobbs - March 28, 2011

"Above the Fold" provides everything that you need to build a strong foundation for a successful web site. The book is broken into 3 sections that talk specifically about design, planning and marketing issues associated with web site design. From reviewing the basic principles of design from a web perspective to prototyping and search engine optimization, author Brian Miller does an excellent job of explaining the specifics of the medium without getting bogged down in markup languages. As a predominantly print-based graphic designer, "Above the Fold" gave me the knowledge and tools to design just as successfully and comfortably for the web.

Excellent, relevant and current. Definitely a keeper!

By N. Wu - June 16, 2011

The best introductory book for print designers currently making the leap to web from a type design standpoint. It clearly explains every facet you need to know without complex jargon & assumptions, but with current examples that are relevant. Recommended and a keeper.