(Part 2) Top products from r/webdesign

Designing Interfaces is great, and I find myself coming back to it when I'm stuck on something. I should note, however, that the examples focus primarily on desktop applications. It's not a stretch to apply most of the concepts to web apps, but some of the patterns aren't really applicable. However, I primarily do web work and I still think it's worth getting.

A classic Web usability book that's really easy to get through is Don't Make Me Think. Much of what makes for good web design is common sense, but it's nice to have it reinforced/verified.

If you're interested in site architecture (you should be) or some theory behind decisions behind visual design (particularly regarding heavy information), I'd also recommend The Information Design Workbook. Half of it is theory and the other half is examples and case studies. It also has some really nice guidelines for working with clients, such as "What is a design brief? Why do I need it? What should be included in it?"

Designing for Interaction is alright... The interviews in it are interesting, but the subject matter is pretty basic. That being said, it is a good primer. I'd definitely pick Designing Interfaces over this, though, if you're choosing between them.

I've heard good things about Designing Web Interfaces, but I haven't read it myself, so... I can't personally recommend it. (O'Reilly generally has pretty high standards, though, so it's probably a safe bet.)

I'd second useit.com and smashing, but sometimes, nothing beats books.

(If you're interested in getting more into the psychology of it, or are interested in a specific topic regarding UI/UX, let me know, as I have more recommendations... I just don't know what you're interested in.)

Trade half of your brain for half of mine? I'm on the other side of the creek from you. Trying to get into development but already established into design. I feel like the main things that would come in handy are

• Color Theory
  
• Typographic Hierarchy / Typography knowledge
  
• Maybe user interface but I know development plays a role in that as well.
  
  Some great sites to check out:
  
  
• Styleboost Great site that shows uniquely designed websites, helpful for inspiration.
  
  
• PSDTUT articles regarding typography/design
  
  
• Smashing Magazine has a lot of great articles regarding design and user interface. I generally read it everyday.
  
  And if you're really getting into graphic design and enjoying it, I suggest some of these books to dive deeper.
  
  
• Graphic Design Referenced
  
  
• An Eye For Color
  
  
• The Elements of Typographic Style
  
  
• For a quick reference regarding different styles or inspirations - Stylepedia
  
  There's a ton more so feel free to ask any questions or if you want any critiques I'd be glad to help. Good Luck!

I have been learning UI/UX all summer.

• To get your mind chugging in the right direction and to get an idea of the purpose of UI/UX The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
  
  
  
• Good Design Patterns for Interface Design, alot of case studies good to have in as a ref Designing Interfaces
  
  
• Good place to start learning Interaction Design Elts of UX
  
  
• Good to read after you have a better idea of UX Jon Kolko

http://www.amazon.com/Learning-MySQL-JavaScript-Step-Step/dp/0596157134/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_1_0

I recommend the above. What you want sounds pretty easy, and this book could get you there in just a few days.

O'Reilly's Effective UI book is modern, well-written and organized and has a fantastic overview of the UI/UX field and design patterns associated with it.

I was in the same boat as you last year. Over the Winter I read a few books that finally made CSS and the DOM click in my head; the two best were

CSS: The Missing Manual

jQuery Animation Techniques


If you have a Safari Books subscription, they're both available there!

Found this book really helpful: http://www.amazon.com/Non-Designers-Design-Book-Robin-Williams/dp/0321534042/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

You should read Bulletproof Web Design by Dan Cederholm. The expandle rows chapter comes to mind, among others.

Read "The Design of Everyday Things", it's old, but still relevant.

http://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Donald-Norman/dp/0465067107/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346334935&sr=1-1&keywords=design+of+everyday+things

*App Pillows
*Moleskine Notebooks
*Creative Whack Pack Cards
*Visual Brainstorms
*Rubik's Cube notepad
*Computer window memo pad/mouse pad
*Phone stand