Laura Lemay’s Guide to Sizzling Web Site Design

Citation

Gorman, L. (1998), "Laura Lemay’s Guide to Sizzling Web Site Design", Asian Libraries, Vol. 7 No. 10, pp. 301-302. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1998.7.10.301.3

This book is written for Web fans, for those interested in Web design or looking for specific information on the Web, and for Web designers themselves (p. xiv). For the last group it is a handy reference covering theoretical concepts, practical techniques and information on 100 Web sites. A CD‐ROM accompanies the book and includes both Windows and Macintosh software such as various HTML tools and graphics, video and sound applications.

The introductory chapter includes comments on philosophical and theoretical issues facing Web designers because of the nature of interactive and non‐linear media. The author argues that good Web design requires a bridging of art and technology; and she sets out the criteria for a “sizzling” site ‐ a site whose design is original with strong graphic presence and unique style, is generally accessible (particularly for text) and attractive in different browsers.

The main part of the book contains ten chapters, each focusing on a specific theme and covering ten sites. Two of the sites are featured as especially well balanced in design and content, and eight others are discussed as offering a particular contribution to the Web. The themes include movies, music, entertainment; newspapers and magazines; arts, culture, humanities; beauty, fashion, health, lifestyle; education and games for children. The 20 featured sites exemplify good presentation, strong HTML, good graphic design, quality writing and balanced use of multimedia and interactive components. Points about each are discussed, and many full‐colour figures reproduce home and other pages, particular graphics and features on which the author comments in the text or in the figure captions.

Some knowledge of HTML is assumed, although the author discusses its finer points, use of particular tags, constraints and so on. At the end of the book are other useful tools: a list of sites covering HTML, Web technology and programming, graphics technology, Web design concepts and philosophical and practical points on Web design; a list of “top 20 design tips”, a colour table, a list of books, online resources, conferences; and information on the CD‐ROM. There are also references to technical support for the book (telephone, e‐mail and Internet addresses).

Users may find design faults such as overuse of complex backgrounds which obscure the written text. Nonetheless, for Web designers in libraries and elsewhere Holzschlag provides a wealth of ideas, examples, useful tips and other resource material (including all the software on the CD‐ROM). Given the time it takes to “cybersurf”, one must acknowledge the enormous achievement of the author and researchers in identifying appropriate sites and obtaining permission to reproduce material ‐ not to mention writing the book!