DESIGN :: great inspiration
MINI-REVIEW: Visual Design of the User Interface
Visual Design of the User Interface was prepared for the IBM Design Program during Edward Tufte’s years there as a consultant. The book is a mere 12 pages in length, but in that small “package” Tufte ably encapsulates his thinking about the design of information for maximum understanding. In five short sections, Tufte lays out the basics of how to present information and what to think about when presented with the task of transmitting data or information through screen to an end-user.
learn more about the Visual Design of the User Interface
Brass Rubbing for Design Inspiration
Memorials to the deceased in England and in continental Europe began to be made in brass during the 13th century. The practice blossomed into a real art form over several hundred years, before gradually fading from use sometime in the 18th century.
Having spent many weekends travelling around the countryside of south Yorkshire and Derbyshire visiting churches and rubbing brasses during my stay in England a while back, I am quite fond of this art form. Brass rubbing is beautiful in its own right, but brasses and other church memorials also open a window into understanding a bit more of the past and can provide inspiration for design today.
find out more about Brass Rubbing for Design Inspiration
MINI-REVIEW: XHTML 1.0 Language and Design Sourcebook
Weighing in at 692 pages, XHTML 1.0 Language and Design Sourcebook by Ian S. Graham is a comprehensive reference on the basics of how to set up web pages. Though this book is a bit dated in its descriptions of earlier browsers (Netscape 3!) and the general Internet world at the time of its publication in 2000, the basic information on coding with XHTML (or HTML) is still quite up-to-date and useful. I especially appreciate the book’s emphasis on formatting text using only Cascading Stylesheets or CSS, resulting in many benefits including easier site maintainability and greater site accessibility, to name just a few.
learn more about the XHTML 1.0 Language and Design Sourcebook
MINI-REVIEW: Streets for People (a primer for Americans)
The title of this book says it all. Dedicated “to the unknown pedestrian” this unusual work, written by an unusual author, is a fascinating tour de force about the history and design of spaces designed for the walking person. No cars, no buses, no trains, trams or subways.
Streets for People is a marvellous romp through various locations around the globe, with an emphasis on how the physical spaces and architectures in the represented cultures have been designed for the meeting and interaction of the people who live in those places.
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Have a comment? Here’s a nice old typewriter for you to WRITE TO ME.
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EDWARD TUFTE STOREIf you’d like to obtain one of Edward Tufte’s excellent books, please visit my EDWARD TUFTE STORE.
BRASS RUBBING STOREFor design inspiration, you can find a nice brass rubbing book at my BRASS RUBBING STORE.
WEB DESIGN STOREFor design online, you can find many web design resources at my WEB DESIGN STORE.
FEATURED LINK
If you ever receive the flyer below in your mail, don’t throw it out!
Edward Tufte, the man known as “the Leonardo da Vinci of data” (New York Times), presents a one-day seminar that is, in my estimation, the best value for your money you will find in continuing your education in design.
It’s been 10 years, nearly to the day, since I attended Tufte’s amazing seminar, and I have returned to Tufte’s work time and again — if you get a chance to see Tufte in person, don’t let it pass you by!
learn more about Edward Tufte’s
“Presenting Data and Information” Seminar
