As a web professional, I was saddened to learn about the closure of A Book Apart, a publishing company that played a pivotal role in my career transition from Flash design to responsive web design. Their concise, practical books were instrumental in helping me navigate the rapidly changing landscape of web technologies in 2010.
A Book Apart: A Brief History
Founded in 2010, A Book Apart set out to create “brief books for people who want to make a better web.” Over their 14-year run, they published 60 unique titles, covering a wide range of topics from tactical guides to essential texts on industry citizenship. Their approach was unique: they tackled big topics in a crisp, approachable format that you could digest over a weekend or a short flight.
The Books That Changed My Career
Three A Book Apart titles, in particular, had a profound impact on my professional journey:
- HTML5 for Web Designers by Jeremy Keith & Rachel Andrew
- CSS3 for Web Designers by Dan Cederholm
- Responsive Web Design by Ethan Marcotte
These books arrived at a critical juncture in my career. As a Flash designer, I was facing an uncertain future with the decline of Flash technology. These titles provided me with the knowledge and confidence to transition into HTML and CSS-based web design.
From Flash to HTML5
“HTML5 for Web Designers” demystified the evolving HTML spec, making it accessible and practical. It helped me understand the new semantic elements and how to structure my content more effectively.
Mastering Modern CSS
Cederholm’s “CSS3 for Web Designers” introduced me to advanced selectors, animations, and other powerful CSS3 features. This book enabled me to create visually appealing designs without relying on Flash.
Embracing Responsive Design
Perhaps the most influential was Ethan Marcotte’s “Responsive Web Design.” This groundbreaking book introduced me to fluid grids, flexible images, and media queries – the cornerstones of responsive design. Armed with this knowledge, I built my first responsive website in late 2010, a significant milestone in my career.
The Legacy of A Book Apart
A Book Apart’s impact extends far beyond my personal experience. Their books have educated and inspired countless web professionals, pushing the industry towards better practices and more inclusive design.
As we bid farewell to this remarkable publisher, it’s worth reflecting on their commitment to quality, their eye for emerging trends, and their role in professionalizing web design and development.
While A Book Apart may be closing its doors, its legacy lives on in the websites we build, the practices we follow, and the inclusive, user-centered approach to web design that they championed.
To the team at A Book Apart, the authors, editors, and everyone involved in this remarkable journey: Thank you. Your work has had a bigger impact on my career – and on our industry – than anyone might have imagined when you launched that first book back in 2010.