Introduction to Save the Pixel Options

[Ben]

Hi. This is a quick intro to "Save the Pixel - the Art of Simple Web Design".

It's an ebook that Scratchmedia published in December 2007, available on its own site for £15 (approx $30).

The book sums up the approach to web design I've developed over the past 13 years of designing sites, which is to make things as simple as they can be, and only as complex as they need to be. When I say "things", I mean everything: graphics, text, navigation, flow etc. etc.

The book is both a manifesto, explaining why we should all be doing simple web design, and also a handbook, showing you exactly how to go about it. So it's 100 pages of new content not published before on our other web site (http://webdesignfromscratch.com).

"Save the Pixel" is also illustrated with 22 worked examples, where we take an existing web site's home page and redesign it to be more effective - clear, useful, easy to use, and appealing. Each case study focuses on the chapter topic, and explains how the principle has been applied in a real-world project.

Please give your feedback
We're looking at publishing "Save the Pixel" in print this year (2008), and are already talking to a couple of publishers.

I'd love to hear people's thoughts on the book.

• How useful do you find it?
• Is it easy enough to understand and put into practice?
• Is there anything missing? What else would you like to see in a print version?

I'd like to use this forum to discuss any questions or thoughts that the book raises for you, no matter what your prior experience or skill level is in designing web pages. Please post any questions or thoughts here, and I'll try to respond as best I can.

Best wishes,

Ben Hunt
scratchmedia

[Dave]

Hi Ben

I really enjoyed the book, and it was easy to understand with very practical examples. I'd definitely consider buying a print version, but I think it would have to contain a bit extra, maybe a few more real-life case-studies.

[Ben]

Thanks Dave. I think that a print version would definitely contain a few new chapters. I'll keep you posted on any developments.

[jeffonfire]

Loving the trial but I don't have money for the for the full version.

This is the best deigned forum in the world good job!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ben]

Great news on "Save the Pixel" today is that we've had an offer to publish the book in print from a fantastic publisher!! I can't say who it is yet, as nothing's been signed, but you couldn't wish for a better company to launch this kind of book. I'm stoked! I'll need to produce a bit more content, then we'll hopefully see a nice shiny "Save the Pixel" on the bookshelves in real life a few months down the line.

[jeffonfire]

If its avalible in the US i will try to get it!!!

[netrover]

If its avalible in the US i will try to get it!!!

One topic I would love to see covered in the printed book would be comping up the design.

I've read so many different procedures. Being from a printing background I do like doing things vector so that scaling is never an issue.

From what I gather online I should use photoshop as it can do more effects and slice straight into css and xhtml.

I love my pixel ebook and would consider the methods you could write as a good recommendation.

[MAJ3STIC]

The principles in this book really outstanding and really works. I utilized some of the techniques with the "gettables section" and some various techniques, and it helped me close 2 projects worth over $4000 each. Thank you Ben for writing this book, and I hope that you'll make the new chapters downloadable for the mass of people that have already purchased your e-book version at a low cost or free if they've already purchased the ebook.

[Ben]

Thanks for your kind words MAJ3STIC, and that's a good suggestion. I'll put that to the publisher.

[why not?]

Ben,

I just read "Save the Pixel" and loved it! I've read about a half a dozen books on web design, and your "Save the Pixel" says 3X as much in half the space.

I will soon be programming a web analysis site for a part-time business I am creating in August. Your book's clear focus on delivering what the customer wants combined with your 'pipe-line' description helped me to realize that I can accomplish a very user centered website in less than four pages! Wow (I had originally planned for 20)!

Because my site will only offer two main services, I can quickly pipeline visitors into submitting their contact information at the natural conclusion of a very short, yet strong and positive 'scent'.

[wiz]

I just read "Save the Pixel" and loved it! I've read about a half a dozen books on web design, and your "Save the Pixel" says 3X as much in half the space.

That's what I'd call a strong example of "preaching in practice".

I'll be sure to get the book as soon as it hits the shelves, because I find ebooks less practical.


Besides, I'm not dead -- just very busy, but I'll be back soon.

[Ben]

Great feedback, thanks whynot! Can I use that in the quotes on the site??

[Pyal]

Hello
Thanks to share this book,It's really a good book,it is easy to understand with example.

[AR_UK]

Hi. This is a quick intro to "Save the Pixel - the Art of Simple Web Design".

<snip>

Ben Hunt
scratchmedia

Hi Ben,

I've recently started the process of re-training myself into the field of web design, after many years of software programming, and I've just bought your e-book. Before that, I downloaded the free chapter (having a free chapter is a really good idea) and the first thing I saw - the statement 'It's hard to find information on how to be a designer' - immediately gave me the impression that this book was what I needed to make progress.

There are hundreds of books on individual technologies, like (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP etc, but very little in the way of information about designing the structure of a site, or deciding what should go into it. As a software programmer, I think of the word 'design' as encompassing requirements analysis, as well as designing the structure of what you're producing, before writing a single line of code. In the arena of web site creation, 'design' seems to mean something different, and in some ways more superficial: it seems to stem from 'graphic design' rather than software design. So I've wasted a lot of time looking at books with 'design' in their title that aren't about 'design' at all (as far as I'm concerned): very frustrating.

On top of that, I've been rather intimidated by some of the specialised books on information architecture and user interface design. I only have so much bandwidth for learning new things, and this is quickly taken up with all the details of things I feel I ought to know about - not just IA, but web technologies and languages as well.

I haven't read the rest of your book yet, but the immediate appeal of the book, from the free introduction, is that it doesn't drown me with details, it's more about putting across principles. I think this is just what I need to get started in web development.

It would be nice to be able to get a printed copy of the book some time.

Hopefully I'll give you some more feedback when I've made progress reading the full PDF version.

In the mean time, thanks for writing the book and sharing your experience for the benefit of everybody else.

Regards,

Alan

[Ben]

Hi Alan. Thanks for your great feedback! It's always rewarding to hear where my work really helps folk.

There is a print version planned. I'm working on it in my evenings at the moment, reviewing & adding content, and re-typesetting. Should be out by the end of November. I'll keep you informed!

Best wishes,
Ben