Introduction

Welcome to Web Design All-in-One For Dummies. This reference book is ideal for both the entrepreneur looking to design his own site and the new web designer who plans to make a career of this exciting profession. For simplicity, this book uses many Adobe products to demonstrate common web design techniques. Specifically, all the graphic examples are done exclusively in Photoshop, and all the web page–building examples are done in Dreamweaver. That said, many other software programs are mentioned and recommended throughout the book, and the examples are easily adaptable to your preferred software tools.

Web design is a unique occupation because it combines the best parts of visual creativity with modern technology. A web designer, in essence, is a graphic designer, a creative organizer, a visual communicator, a markup language technologist, and a cutting-edge trendsetter. What sets web design apart from other careers is that, as the designer, you play a key role in helping businesses connect with their customers in positive and meaningful ways. A good design can help attract the right target audience, sell more products and services, communicate new ideas, and change people’s lives.

As a web designer, you have the opportunity to put your visual and organizational spin on the world, taking the complex puzzle of each web project and turning it into a visually pleasing, easy-to-navigate web solution for your client. What’s more, you’re inextricably part of the worldwide ...

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