I’ve never felt the need to write a book recommendation before, either because existing reviews already convey my opinion in a better way than I ever could, or that I don’t feel confident enough in my knowledge of the subject matter to express an informed opinion.

The Principles of Beautiful Web Design by Jason Beaird, however is an exception to the rule. The reason I feel confident enough to write about it is that it was written for me. Yes, despite Sitepoint’s prominent and (understandably) gleeful proclamation of “10,000 copies sold (in the first month!)” on the book’s page this book was written for me. It’s a design book, for people who code and know nothing about design, i.e. me.

So far I’m about half way through the book, having just read the chapter on colour (which in my opinion justifies the cost of the book in itself) and I can’t put it down. I suspect I’ll read the second half in a single sitting, it’s that good.

The only bad thing I can say about the book is that it makes me want to redesign this site - again. Even though I recently spent a considerable amount of time jerry-rigging the excellent templated design it’s currently using (go ahead, look in the footer - full disclosure!) into my website system.

If like me you’re a coder who wields less artistic talent in your whole body than most people have in their thumbnail, then this is the book for you. Go and buy it, now. Oh, and visit the author’s website too. And grab his RSS feed while you’re there