These concepts and practices aim primarily to encourage independent, critical thinking on the part of designers. This book does not specify prescriptions for what to do in every design situation. Rather, this text grounds current and future designers in the concepts critical to Web design: the parameters, principles, guidelines and standards researched or adopted by some of the most influential professional organizations and designers. The standard of excellence modeled by this text: * Teaches the Web design process and standards for effective Web sites. * Presents concepts and best practices through text discussion, Web links, screen captures and engaged learning and critical thinking activities. * Covers and builds towards practices that are in compliance with accessibility and usability guidelines. * Builds skills in analyzing, designing and evaluating Web sites using a 3-Phase Site Design Process: Prepare & Plan; Design & Produce; and Launch, Test, Maintain, & Improve. Special features of this book include: * CyberVisits: Chapter-opening features that showcase the work and thinking of professional Web Designers. * Web Terms: Highlights and defines important chapter terms. * Web Links: Stimulating links that illustrate and otherwise bring to life the concepts of design. * Input/Refresh: Essays that expand on a critical topic to deepen and consolidate the learner's perspective. * Do you Know?: A boxed feature in Q & A format that discusses a point that learners may find surprising or interesting. * Web Activities: Opportunities for students actively to practice knowledge and concepts as they master them, engaging in activities that become increasingly challenging over the course of the book. * Topics Roundtable: Stimulating thought and discussion questions for use in online and f2f discussions of critical concepts and their applications. * Window to the Web: Two-phase Tutorials leading to the creation of a produced and published "Web Designer Resorces" website. Phase one is a "Technical Walk-Through" of an essential HTML skill, step-by-step, with explanations of "Why." Phase two is a Design Project that students create on their own to gain independence in their use of that skill.

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