Jeffrey Zeldman
Full Name and Common Aliases
Jeffrey Zeldman
Zeldman, Jeffrey A.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: November 11, 1959
Active in the web industry since the early 1990s; still active today
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Web Designer, Author, and Activist
Early Life and Background
Jeffrey Zeldman grew up in New York City, developing an interest in design at a young age. He studied English literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz. During his college years, he began experimenting with computer graphics and typography.
After graduating from UCSC, Zeldman worked as a printer's apprentice in San Francisco before moving to New York City to pursue a career in graphic design. In 1987, he founded his own design firm, which would eventually become one of the most respected web design companies of its time.
Major Accomplishments
Jeffrey Zeldman is widely recognized for his work in advocating for more accessible and user-centered web design practices. He has been instrumental in popularizing standards-based web development and promoting the use of CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) as a styling language.
In 1995, Zeldman founded A List Apart, an influential online magazine focused on web design and development issues. Through this platform, he has championed best practices for web design, including the importance of accessibility, usability, and semantic HTML.
Notable Works or Actions
Zeldman has authored several books on web design, including Designing with Web Standards (2003), which has become a foundational text in the field. He also co-authored Bulletproof Web Design (2008) with Dan Cederholm.
In addition to his work at A List Apart, Zeldman has been involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting web standards and accessibility. These include organizing conferences, such as An Event Apart, which brings together industry experts to discuss best practices for web design and development.
Impact and Legacy
Jeffrey Zeldman's impact on the web design community cannot be overstated. His advocacy for more accessible and user-centered design has influenced generations of designers and developers. The standards-based approach he championed has led to a more cohesive and maintainable web.
Through his work at A List Apart, Zeldman has created a platform where industry professionals can share knowledge, ideas, and best practices. This commitment to community building has helped establish the web design community as a collaborative and forward-thinking force.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jeffrey Zeldman is widely quoted for his insightful commentary on web design trends and emerging technologies. He continues to be an influential voice in the industry, offering guidance on how designers can create more effective, inclusive web experiences.
Zeldman's dedication to promoting accessibility and usability has made him a respected leader within the web community. His commitment to sharing knowledge through A List Apart and other initiatives has inspired countless professionals to adopt best practices that prioritize user needs.
Overall, Jeffrey Zeldman's contributions to the field of web design have been profound, transforming how designers approach their craft and shaping the industry into what it is today.
Quotes by Jeffrey Zeldman
Jeffrey Zeldman's insights on:
That’s the rational premise behind my spending hours of billable time adjusting my Facebook preferences. The real reason, of course, for all this stuff, is that it provides a way to blow off work you should be doing, while creating the illusion that you are achieving something.
The best way to engage honestly with the marketplace via Twitter is to never use the words “engage,” “honestly,” or “marketplace.”
Content precedes design. Design in the absence of content is not design, it’s decoration.
Don’t worry about people stealing your design work. Worry about the day they stop.
The less concerned with aesthetics and usability these friends and family members are, the more easily they navigate sites and applications I can't make head nor hair of. Like the ex-girlfriend who mastered Ebay.
The code core of the 2001 browser upgrade campaign was the first instance of capability detection in place of browser detection.
A good designer has technical knowledge - don't treat her like someone who's there to decide whether something should be pink or orange.
I could open a thousand Excel documents and still never think to scroll past a wall of empty rows to see if, hidden beneath them, there is a tab I need to click. Just doesn't occur to me. Because, design.