Know Your Onions: Web Design: How to Become a Top-class Money Making Web Designer Without Learning Code

by Drew de Soto

Know Your Onions: Web Design will show you how to get your head around web design without getting your hands dirty in code. The book reads in a conversational style and is more like having a chat with a bloke that knows his stuff than any kind of "how-to" manual. This is the sequel to Know Your Onions: Graphic Design by the same author.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Website Design

212 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2013

Reviews

[Alexandra Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy, flip through book that gave a surface level insight to web design. I learned a few things but would be hesitant to recommend it to anyone since it's now outdated.

[Laura Eydmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first of these a while back and reviewed it on here. I really liked it and when I saw this I had to pick it up and give it a read.

From the outset de Soto explains that this is not going to be a detailed book covering the ins and outs of coding and the technicalities of web design. Instead, it goes through the process of web design, gives some good guidelines and some good basic design practice. And that's brilliant - exactly what I wanted.

As a designer who does most of her own coding, I found this interesting. There was a lot of good information on the principles of layout (including some good stuff on hotspots), navigation and web conventions, as well as setting out a good timeline from brief to signing off. the book works through from the brief (very important), basic design, including colour, typography, imagery, layout and navigation, working with a developer, making sure the client gets what they want, testing and the problems of using other browsers...
There is also a good glossary of colloquialisms, conventions, technology etc. at the back, making this a good reference book to dip into during a project as well as reading through from cover to cover. A definite recommendation for anyone involved in the web design business!

[Kit Sunde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the book is more suited towards aspiring account managers in a digital agency than an actual designer since it gives just enough insight into the whole process of discovery, pitching and development, but doesn't spend much time on the details of design. I did like how he applied "What if.." to briefs and came up with more interesting counter-proposals.

[Ilse De · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't fan of his writing style and might have expected something else from the book. I found the information meaningful but not in depth. Also, the book might be outdated at the moment and therefor less relevant.

[PD Storage · Rating 5 out of 5]

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شركة تصميم مواقع الكترونية
تصميم مواقع الكترونية
شركة تصميم مواقع ويب

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read. I could really get a sense that the author enjoyed writing this book.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Has some good things to think about. Easy and fun to read.

[Muhammed Mustafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really really good if you have already started taking web design projects and you wonder if you are doing things right or not, not just in terms of design but process as well. I read it in 2015 and felt it is going to be out-dated soon due to the nature of the technology, it keeps advancing every now and then.

But the principles are basic, for example: structuring your files, working wiht a developer will surely remain the same just the tools will differ.

I recommend this book for all beginners, specially thsoe who have at least worked on a project or two.

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's mainly a book focused on introducing a lot of different topics, which may or may not be relevant to you.