| TASHEN'S
1000 Favorite Websites 
Publisher: TASCHEN
Editor: Julius Wiedemann
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If
you want to get inspired about web design, or
need a great source book of sites that will
stimulate and challenge. If you love visual
form, layout, and cutting edge Flash, you'd
be hard pushed to find a better book than this... |
Detailed
Description
From the Publisher
TASCHEN's 1000 Favorite Websites
Edited by: Wiedemann, Julius
Flexicover + DVD, 196 x 249 mm, 608 pages
1000 Favorite Websites brings together—you
guessed it—1000 of today’s very best
websites. Each website is presented via screenshots
annotated with icons indicating the features of
the site (e.g. animation, sound, downloadable material,
etc.) Serving as a vital reference for web enthusiasts,
this book is also a place marker in the history
of the internet and a vibrant catalog of cutting-edge
global web design.
Included in the book is a DVD (region 0, PC/Mac
compatible) containing six mini-documentaries, each
focusing on interviews with a creative web professional.
The subjects covered include how to: use the net
to maximize production; find technical support;
help clients; provide better service; exchange ideas;
stay updated on the latest news; and put creativity
to work. Examples of content are included in a step-by-step
video with audio commentary, giving you “live”
instant access to a selection of the best websites
without the need for a computer or internet connection.
The Editor
Julius Wiedemann was born and raised in Brazil.
After studying graphic design and marketing, he
left the country to live in Japan for almost 4 years,
where he worked in Tokyo as art editor for digital
and design magazines. He subsequently joined TASCHEN
as the editor in charge of digital titles and is
currently based at the company’s headquarters
in Cologne. In 2001 he edited the book Digital Beauties
and since then has been building up TASCHEN’s
newest digital collection.
TASCHEN
Review
Introduction
There are a host of books out there that purport
to offer a showcase of great websites within the
confines of their covers, but the vast majority
disappoint as they struggle to maintain momentum
and focus. Julius Wiedemann, the Editor of 'TASCHEN's
1000 Favorite Websites', has succeeded where so
many others have failed, and has created a book
that is at every turn an inspiration.
Overview
'TASCHEN's 1000 Favorite Websites' begins with a
single page introduction from the Editor that is
translated into ten languages. One of the most attractive
features of many Tashen books is the publisher's
effort in making a single volume accessible to a
wide readership. This creates a feeling that you're
part of a broader community rather than a lone individual
sitting under an upright lamp thumbing through in
splendid isolation.
The Introduction sees the Editor setting the context
and attitude of the book with a broad brush that
touches on the technologies and direction of the
Internet's development. The conclusion that he reaches
is that the Internet is no longer definable, but
rather a context that touches on our daily lives,
and in which anyone 'can, and should do something'.
That last comment seems indicative of an attitude
that views the Internet as an opportunity, a challenge,
a place where creativity and exploration is encouraged.
The content, consisting of over 580 pages of high
quality screenshots of sites, is divided into nine
categories:
• Advertising
• Architecture
• Art
• Design
• Digital
• Fashion and
Beauty
• Movies and
Animation
• Photography
• Cool and More
The book is published with an accompanying DVD which
features six interviews with web professionals on
a variety of Internet related subjects delivered
in their native language. Although the
DVD presentation does not match the exceptional
quality of the book, it remains a valuable resource
that delivers many thought provoking issues and
some well chosen example clips of websites featured
in the book that can be viewed straight off the
disk and without an Internet connection.
Quality Content
The casual browser of 'TASCHEN's 1000 Favorite Websites'
may not notice the category headings close to the
top of the spine of every page. This may be intentional
as the book works equally well as a pleasurable
browse through the myriad of site styles, layouts,
and designs, as it does as a visual source book
for creatives. The fact that many of the websites
feature Flash animation does not diminish the scope
or relevance of the book that, despite the limitation
of static two dimensional pages, continues to communicate
the vibrancy of Internet web design at every turn.
The nine sections of the book are separated by single
giant pixel-like iconographic pages that signify
the different categories, and the great choice and
placement of screenshots is a testament to the curatorial
skills of the Editor. The sites featured reflect
the diversity of the Internet's creative community,
and although there is an inevitable emphasis on
design, simplicity, and visual impact over content
or message, the sheer volume and impact of the images
is a constant source of stimulus and enjoyment.
Readers will also find a complete alphabetical listing
of all the websites featured in the book in the
index. I assume the project budget was clipped to
producing a DVD resource whose purpose was limited
to show movement and personality rather than to
provide a more ambitious and full-featured complimentary
digital publication. Perhaps in future editions
of 'TASCHEN's 1000 Favorite Websites' this area
might receive additional development so that the
DVD better exploits the potential of the combined
book/digital publication.
Conclusion
I've gushed a great deal about this book but it's
not often I'm that I'm so impressed or driven to
return to a work like this. If you want to get inspired
about web design, or need a great source book of
sites that will stimulate and challenge. If you
love visual form, layout, and cutting edge Flash,
you'd be hard pushed to find a better book than
'TASCHEN's 1000 Favorite Websites'. I've found the
book a pleasure from beginning to end...
Mike de Sousa, Director, AbleStable
Go to the TASCHEN website to find more from this
publisher: www.taschen.com
(the link above opens a
new browser window)
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