- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: New Riders; 1 edition (11 April 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 073571178X
- ISBN-13: 978-0735711785
- Product Dimensions: 25.3 x 20.5 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,866,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Skip Intro: Macromedia Flash Usability and Interface Design is a book for Flash designer/programmers who want to make interfaces that people can actually use, rather than just stare at open-mouthed. It's a retort to usabilty gurus--most notably Jakob Nielsen--who have said that Flash is a bad thing for the Web because it gets in the way of clear presentation of information--or usability.
Skip Intro isn't a philosophical monologue, but neither is it an ActionScript manual, instead it shows you how to build sites and applications founded on useability principles using case studies and programming examples. The first chapter takes a look at what's wrong with so much Flash design and how to avoid making the same mistakes, followed by a "Basic Training" chapter which mostly offers some useful advice on debugging.
There are three sections dealing with the particular usability issues encountered in designing a digital art gallery site, an e-commerce site and a software development company site. The case study identifies the client's aims and a typical user profile is provided, these are used as the basis for a set of specific design goals which are implemented in the ensuing chapters.
The specific goals for the gallery site, for example are "Loading awareness", "Controlling the situation", "Keeping things in context", and "A smarter cursor". A chapter is devoted to developing specific interface elements--a preloader, gesture-driven scrolling list, movable contextual menu and custom cursor component--to achieve those goals.
Skip Intro is one of those rare books that tell you not just how, but why you should adopt a particular approach to Flash design and programming. --Ken McMahon
Product Description
Are you a Flash user constantly fighting the usability war?
Skip Intro is designed to help educate the Flash community specifically and designers/programmers at large that usability isn't a dirty word. It doesn't mean making boring pedestrian web sites, and it doesn't mean abandoning Flash. Quite the contrary, Flash offers advanced usability elements that traditional HTML websites could never hope to achieve. This book will show designers how to start thinking about their users and, more importantly, how to translate that understanding when they start designing or coding.
Skip Intro moves beyond traditional usability books by shying away from listing examples of "why this is wrong" or "why this is right." Instead, it guides designers through understanding the site requirements and their intended users and then starts them down the road of developing for those users, by taking them step-by-step through design scenerios, rather than providing strict rules of usability.
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Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Skip Intro": User Centred Design using Flash,
By
This review is from: Skip Intro: Flash Interface Design and Usability (Voices (New Riders)) (Paperback)
As a Usability Specialist I found the usability advice well balanced with practical tips that those of us on 'the front lines' have picked up through experience. This is a good basic guide to User Centred Design using Flash. It discusses the fundamental issues that need to be considered when designing usable systems: know what your users truly require from the system, design the system with these users' requirements in mind, then test with the system with target users to ensure that it is easy to learn, easy to use, easy to remember, effective, efficient, fit for purpose and consistent.This book is geared towards Flash Programmers/ Designers and gently introduces the concept of Usability; what it is, why it's necessary and how to begin coding Flash components that are 'user-friendly' and reusable. Consolidating them in an easily digestible conclusion reinforces the key points from each chapter and provides a firm foundation to build on. "Skip Intro" discusses the usability benefits of employing certain flash components such as gesture-driven scrolling, dynamic cursors, tabbed windows and hierarchical menus. Using design techniques such as scenarios and personas it then provides usability guidelines on when these components should be used and why. The actual code is also provided in a step-by-step manner, with guidance provided all along the way. I would recommend this book as a good starting point for Flash Programmers/Designers who are keen to quickly start building a library of usable components. However, dropping these components into a flash site will not provide a panacea for a poorly conceived site. A sound information architecture and good, appropriate content and features are essential building blocks of a usable website, no matter what technology is used to implement it.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews) 12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good flash application book for the "real-world"!,
By patricia waterman - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Skip Intro: Flash Interface Design and Usability (Voices (New Riders)) (Paperback)
Instead of just showing how to do super cool tricks, the authors teach functional techniques that lead to ease of use for the end-user.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read!,
By Gary Birch - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Skip Intro: Flash Interface Design and Usability (Voices (New Riders)) (Paperback)
Skip Intro is a must read for the serious web designer, whether a seasoned and experienced veteran, or an excited, inexperienced novice. Interface design is the most important element in creating a website that is easy to navigate, enjoyable, entertaining,, and keeps users coming back making it "Sticky". Poor interface design can bounce the user straight off your site and into your competition's. Correctly used, Macromedia Flash is the most powerful authoring tool for efficient and effective web design. Skip Into comprehensively covers the philosophy of effective design (the why) and the specific graphic and scripting required to implement (the how). Expect a well-worn copy of Skip Intro at the desk of leading web designers, and take note fellow educators--this is a must read and know for our graphic design majors. A great plus - developers will create reusable tools that will simplify your life and improve your users' navigation experience. 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sense and sensibility,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Skip Intro: Flash Interface Design and Usability (Voices (New Riders)) (Paperback)
What a relief to finally find a book on technology that is well-laid out, simple, clear and easy to understand and, dare I say it, even fun. Isn't this what interactive design should be about; focussing on the users' experience rather than demonstrating how clever the flash designer is. I think this book does a great job in terms of its content and its actual design and layout. It represents the maturing and professionalism of the industry.As someone who employs interactive designers I found this book very useful in helping me select and work with designers and agencies who will produce workable and functioning sites that look great and provide the right experience for the user without alienating them. |
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