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Announcing Handcrafted CSS

So this Dan fellow went and wrote another book. It’s called Handcrafted CSS: More Bulletproof Web Design. After having read it, I can safely say that it’s going to be really great stuff. Much of Dan’s writing and speaking over the past year has been about this notion of “web craftsmanship,” of producing compelling design through a careful attention to detail.

As you can imagine, a book like that isn’t geared to high-level overviews. And frankly, it’s better for it: Dan jumps right into how advanced CSS and CSS3 can invigorate the design techniques we’ve come to rely upon over the years. By anchoring the book’s chapters to a website for the fictional “Tugboat Coffee Company”, Dan grounds each of his examples in practical, real world examples. Wondering how you can start using rgba() color declarations today, or how best to rock your border-radius? The book has you covered, and it’s a fun, edifying read.

Why am I telling you all of this, you ask? Well, I actually contributed to Dan’s book, and I’m stupidly excited. I wrote an in-depth chapter on fluid grids, and how to apply them to a real-world site layout. Think of it as a more practical extension of my article for ALA, and the companion essay on fluid images: rather than covering abstract examples, the “Fluid Grids” chapter in Handcrafted CSS shows how to convert a fixed-width site into a flexible, bulletproof layout.

But even if I hadn’t contributed, this is a book to be excited about. Frankly, it’s really great to see that Dan’s got a new book out: he’s one of the more thoughtful, detail-oriented designers I know, and his writing has always reflected that. Handcrafted CSS a fun, informative read, and packed with great insight on how to practice true web craftsmanship.

So check out the site, read Dan's announcement, follow the book on Twitter, and stay tuned: more announcements are forthcoming.

This is a blog entry posted on day 11712 in the Journal.

10 comments posted.

10 Comments

  1. Beth says:

    Congrats!!! Dan’s first book is so approachable but thorough I found it works great for my students, and is the only book I absolutely require for my classes. (I have a long list of “nice to haves” for them, but I know his they will come back to again and again for help.) I’ll definitely be adding this to the list for the more intermediate students!

  2. Josh Read says:

    Congrats guys, will definitely be buying this system as training for my employees.

  3. Dale Cruse says:

    You guys make stuff I wish I had thought of. Can’t wait to buy the book!

  4. Paul Kelley says:

    Congrats! I look forward to reading it in all it’s fluid, bulletproof glory.

  5. Matthew James Taylor says:

    Sounds great. I’ll definitely be getting a copy.

  6. Marko says:

    Congratz, looking forward to it!

  7. Andy Strachan says:

    Superb! Can’t wait for this one, pre-ordered my copy already.

  8. Chris Traganos says:

    This is awesome, I look forward to sharing this training with my team. Congratulations guys, also when is the next Markup & Style?

  9. The Robot says:

    Thanks so much, guys. We’re both really excited about the book, and the response has been awesome.

    Chris, the next event we’ve got planned is on 14 September. You might consider checking it out, as it will be pure, white-hot rock.

  10. Todd says:

    I am drooling over obtaining this book. Can’t wait to get my hands on it.

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