I’ve been working on an ebook about web design for a while. To be honest, for a really long while. If you have ever tried to write an ebook, you probably know what I mean.
I started about 2 years ago and I had my ups and downs on my way to completing this task. I took a couple of 2-3 month breaks, I rewrote some parts over and over again, and I almost gave up finishing it.
However, there were many things that kept me motivated and I’m really glad I didn’t give up.
Let me first explain why am I writing an ebook…
Why am I writing an ebook?
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This ebook represents something that I wish was available to me when I was first starting out.
I’m a self-taught designer and I never graduated from a fancy design school. So, if I learned designing, I believe that everyone can.
My biggest problem in the beginning was that I didn’t even know where to start. There were many online Photoshop tutorials and design books about techniques and theories.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find one ebook or course that would take me from the beginning and walk me through the entire process step by step. I also couldn’t find how to use all those design theories in practice while working on real life projects.
That’s how the idea for writing an ebook was born and it’s been with me all that time.
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To share my best practices and what I already know.
I really enjoy sharing my knowledge and teaching other people how to design.
I’ve learned so much from other designers because every designer has different experiences and their own best practices. I believe that I’ve been doing something right for the past couple of years and maybe other designers can learn from me too.
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To learn more about design.
Writing an ebook requires an extensive amount of research and a really deep understanding of the subject. It’s amazing how much I learned by writing this ebook and it’s been an incredible experience.
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To learn more about marketing.
An ebook is a product and I want to learn more about marketing and selling it. It’ll be a very interesting experiment and I’ll of course share with you what I’ve learned.
What can you expect?
The main idea of the ebook is to show both design theory and how to use it in practice on a real life project. It’s the entire web design process from the idea to the final Photoshop project files.
It’ll be like sitting right next to me and watching over my shoulder while I’m working on a complete web design project and commenting on my every move.
Here is what else you’ll learn and get:
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You’ll learn many web design techniques and how to use them in a real life projects, no matter what design software you use. All the screenshots in this ebook will be based on Photoshop because it’s still the most popular option among designers…but the design techniques I show you are universal and basically timeless.
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You’ll learn a good and effective web design process that I’ve been using and improving for years. My process includes: brainstorming, sketching, wireframing, designing layout, typography, colors, and finally putting it all together into a complete design project.
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You’ll learn the best practices, habits and tips on designing websites. I’ll share some shortcuts with you that took me years to discover.
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You’ll get all the design materials that I use in my process like: sketching templates, wireframing templates, typography guide templates, color scheme templates and blank project starter PSDs.
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You’ll get complete PSD files of the project that is used in the ebook. It’s a project made specifically for this ebook and you’ll be able to modify it and use it in your own projects.
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You’ll learn how to make beautiful and effective website designs that can be sold for thousands of dollars. I’ve been selling my design service effectively for many years using these same techniques.
Take a look at this quick preview of some random pages:
Stay tuned…
So, are you interested in learning some real design?
I’m very excited and it’s coming really soon. If you want to stay informed, sign up for my email newsletter below. I’ll be sending updates on the progress and some free stuff … and trust me, you don’t want to miss it!
Philip Gledhill says
Make your clients look good and they’ll never forget you.
Good design gives an instant WOW factor that’s hard to put a price on. And making your clients look good gives them the status, and feel good factor, they crave. No wonder people pay a premium for great design.
Good luck with the book Rafal
Rafal Tomal says
100% agreed.
Thanks, Philip!
Tom says
This is fantastic, Rafal. I appreciate your contributions to the design community, as well as the WordPress community, and am looking quite forward to insight into your process.
Helena says
This is exciting – can’t wait to get a copy 🙂
Thauna says
I’m so excited for you and I can’t wait to read it!! You are one of my design heros and I can’t wait to learn some of your tricks.
Corinne says
Congrats on the book, can’t wait!!
Ruty says
Well you have me really excited for the book to come out. As a non-designer I still find myself doing “front end” stuff quite a bit, I’ve observed things a long the way, but this ebook will be a huge help for me to work from good fundamental principals.
By the way, regarding the marketing aspect.. Great job pre-selling the book with out selling. I can’t wait to buy!
Cheers!
Colin says
How exciting for you Rafal. The book looks great. I’m looking forward to seeing the end result:)
Richard Buff says
I’ll buy it!
Michelle says
Yeah! Really looking forward to it (and nice e-book layout to boot 😉
Rafal Tomal says
Thanks! Designing ebooks is fun 🙂
Rohan Kagalkar says
Great to know that you are working on an E-book. It will be free or paid? looking forward to it
Rafal Tomal says
There will be some free design resources and first couple chapters for those who sign up to my email newsletter. If you like it, you can buy a full package.
miroslav says
Congrats on the book, can’t wait!! I’ll buy it! 🙂
Ceci says
Hey Rafal,
I worked in a lot of International Marketing companies and Ad Agencies, I really love the work that you put in your website and admire you for the eBook and for sure, every LARGE project is like that.
Want to HELP YOU MARKET YOUR EBOOK –do not worry i am in the same entrepreneurship boat so don’t think I’ll try to sell you something.
Let us discuss and we’ll start soon!
Ceci – TrblMkr
Mirko says
Hi Rafal,
I’ve found your website through Typespiration, while I was browsing for typography inspiration on the web.
The book looks quite nice and packed with content, hopefully there will be something to learn for non PS users in it.
I tend to do my designs in the browser, previously I used FW, but totally switched to the browser lately :))
Taposy Rabeya says
You’re a brave and wise young soul…keep on keeping on. And please keep writing these. I love your blog so much.