Reddit meter
Defensive Design for the Web
256 pages, 2004
Defensive design for the Web is what defensive driving is for the road. Good site defense can make or break the customer experience, just as good or bad highway driving can.
This book shows you what to do (and not do) to ensure that your customers' needs are met and their questions answered; gives guidelines to prevent errors; and retrieves your customers if a breakdown occurs. It also shows you how to evaluate and improve your own site's defensive design.
Jason Fried emphasizes the importance of defensive design in web development. He suggests that a well-designed website should be able to handle errors and guide users through the process, rather than leaving them frustrated and confused.
Fried introduces the concept of contingency design. This means planning for what could go wrong and designing your website to handle these situations. It's like having a plan B ready to kick in when plan A fails.
The book explores the importance of user-friendly error messages. Instead of technical jargon that leaves users baffled, he suggests using clear, simple language that helps users understand what went wrong and how to fix it.
Preventing errors is just as important as handling them. Jason Fried encourages you to research and understand common user mistakes and design your website in a way that helps prevent these errors from happening in the first place.
Fried emphasizes the need for testing and iteration in web design. He suggests that you should constantly check your design, find issues, fix them, and then test again. This continuous cycle of improvement can lead to a more robust and user-friendly website.
Quotes 5
Defensive Design for the Web is a must-read for anyone who wants to create websites that are not only beautiful but also functional and easy to use. It's a game-changer in the field of web design.
Jeffrey Zeldman - Web design pioneerThis book is a powerful tool for anyone who wants to understand the principles of good design and how to apply them to the web. It's a must-read for all web designers and developers.
Don Norman - Cognitive science, designDefensive Design for the Web is a groundbreaking book that provides practical advice and insights on how to create user-friendly websites. It's a must-read for anyone involved in web design.
Jakob Nielsen - Usability consultantThis book is a treasure trove of practical advice on how to make websites more user-friendly and effective. It's a must-read for anyone involved in web design or development.
Steve Krug - Usability expertDefensive Design for the Web is a game-changer. It provides practical, actionable advice on how to make websites more user-friendly and effective. It's a must-read for anyone involved in web design or development.
Jared Spool - User interface expertRecommendations
1
Defensive Design for the Web found in libraries
1Best Books for Web Design
Improve your web design skills and progress with the choice of the Best Books For Web Design from our list.