Above the Fold : Understanding the Principles of Successful Web Site Design by Brian G. Miller

This is a different kind of web design book. “Above the Fold” is not about timely design or technology trends; instead, this book is about the timeless fundamentals of effective communication within the context of web design. It is intended to help you, the reader, understand the considerations that web designers make when developing successful websites.

“Above the Fold” is divided into three sections: Design & Typography, Planning & Usability, and Business Value. Each section represents a phase in the continuous cycle of web design. It’s the balance among design, usability, and return on investment that makes a website truly great.

Topics covered in “Above the Fold” include: What makes web design uniqueThe history of web designAnatomy of a web pageWhite space and grid use in web designThe elements of web design: color, texture, imagery, scale, depth, animation, and variabilityWeb typography, including web-safe type, images of type, and font replacement and embeddingWeb project planningInformation architecture, including site maps, wireframes, and user flow diagramsThe elements of usability: navigation, breadcrumbs, links, search, submission forms, and error messagingSearch engine optimizationOnline marketing, including banner ads, viral and social marketing, on-site marketing, and email marketingWeb statistics and analysis