It’s that time of year again. It’s time to start thinking about what gifts to pick up for your family and friends (and maybe even yourself) for the holidays. And if you happen to be buying for a web designer this year, we happen to have 10 awesome holiday gift ideas that web designers will cherish.

1. Adobe Photoshop CS5

Adobe Photoshop CS5

You all knew this was coming first, right? What’s a top 10 list without Adobe Photoshop? With the release of Creative Suite 5, Adobe has boosted Photoshop’s features and delivered more flexibility and design options. And web designers know that a powerful graphic and image editor is essential to be effective at work. With holiday season discounts from Adobe, you can snag a copy of Photoshop CS5 starting around just $600.

2. Apple iPad

Apple iPad

Not only are Apple iPad’s the hottest item since sliced bread, but they’re less than half the cost of a quality laptop. They’re essential to have around if you’re designing for mobile devices, applications and varied device resolutions, and not to mention (we drool over how cool they are). If you really want to make a web designer happy this season, surprise them with an iPad (starting at just $499).

3. SanDisk Ultra® Backup 16GB USB Flash Drive

SanDisk Ultra Backup 16GB USB Flash Drive

SanDisk has introduced the SanDisk Ultra® Backup USB Flash Drive which is the first USB flash drive with a backup button. With three models available: 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, web designers can store lots of files, images, drafts, proposals and more. Buy online from Staples.com starting at $89.99!

4. CSS3 For Web Designers

CSS3 For Web Designers

A Book Apart continues its web design book series ‘…for people who make websites’ with Dan Cederholm’s masterfully written “CSS3 For Web Designers”. With the emergence of new methodologies like HTML5 and CSS3, it’s always important for us designers to study up on the semantics so we can stay ahead of the game. Purchase “CSS3 For Web Designers” as paperback, ebook or a bundle of both.

5. Basecamp

Basecamp | 37Signals.com

Basecamp is a robust project management software solution for managing almost any type of web project. Millions of people already use Basecamp, and it’s the preferred project management tool of several multi-million dollar brands. Don’t have a large organization? That’s okay too. Basecamp starts with a “Small Group” plan that costs only $49/month.

6. Apple Magic Mouse

Apple Magic Mouse

The Apple Magic Mouse is a must-have for Mac-lovers. It’s a wireless, bluetooth-dependent multi-touch mouse that allows for seamless operation. Make sure you have the required hardware and software before buying the Magic Mouse. Details can be found on the Apple website or by clicking the link above.

7. Typekit Portfolio Plan

Typekit Portfolio Plan

Typekit is a really cool web service that allows web designers to use a large library of stylish fonts that were previously unavailable for use on websites. For web designers who have started using CSS3 on a regular basis know that in order to use a large variety of fonts on their projects, they must adhere to license agreements for font usage on the web. Typekit makes the “licensing agreements” a non-issue, allowing designers to stick to what they do best — using great typography. Purchase a “Portfolio” plan for a friend and spend only $49.99/year.

8. The Smashing Book

The Smashing Book

The Smashing Book is a byproduct of Smashing Magazine which is an awesome read for designers. It’s a printed book that covers best practices in modern web design. And as a treat, The Smashing Book also shares some exclusive information about the background of Smashing Magazine. This is a must-have gift for web designers!

9. Custom Laptop Skins

Laptop Skins

Surprise someone with a custom or pre-made laptop skin from Schtickers.com. Schtickers gives you total flexibility; allowing you to add custom graphics, text and backgrounds to their removable and reusable laptop skins. Create a custom laptop skin to fit the dimensions of your specific laptop! Very affordable, thoughtful gift for a web designer.

10. Quality Headphones

Headphones

Last but not least of the great gifts for web designers are a set of quality headphones. Lots of web designers enjoy listening to music while working. However, a set of half-broken headphones that barely work anymore aren’t going to get the job done. Do someone a favor and get them a quality pair of headphones that will last the test of time. The Amazon.com Headphone Department has a great selection. Get shopping!

There are plenty more great gifts for web designers that could have been included in this entry, but I decided to narrow the list down to the top 10. Any web designer would be lucky to receive any of the above. I know I would be. Happy holidays and happy shopping!

The most difficult task any budding web designer will experience is finding that first break-through job with a web design company or agency. But, how would you describe who you are and what you can do in a professional manner? On the flip-side to that, how would a web design agency describe what they are looking for any new designer?
This is a questions that was recently asked on Answers, and we would like to open it up to our readers for some advice and tips.

You can leave your thoughts and tips in the comment section below, or you can leave your answer on the original question on Answers here: What should a basic job description look like for a Web Designer?

This question was originally asked by Ben G.

Here is the best answer, as voted by our users, so far:

Here is the second best answer, as voted by our users, from Devone:

So, what are your thoughts or tips for a web designers basic job description?

Thanks to everyone who asked a question, but most importantly thanks to everyone that took the time and effort to offer helpful and useful answers.

It is always surprising how many fresh, innovative and always useful tools and resources appear from week-to-week from within the web design community. In this weeks design news round-up we take a look at four more cool and free new apps that may help you with your next web project.

The Square Grid

The Square Grid is a simple CSS framework for designers and developers, based on 35 equal-width columns. The grid is equiped with a 28px baseline-grid for a smooth vertical rhythm. Each block (DIV) is defined with a margin of 1 square (28px) from the next block. It aims to cut down on development time and help you create beautiful-structured websites.
The Square Grid ?

Jo – HTML5 Mobile App Framework

Jo is a new and lightweight JavaScript framework designed for HTML5 apps.
Jo – HTML5 Mobile App Framework ?

Frame Box – Lightweight Tool for Creating Mockups

Frame Box – Lightweight Tool for Creating Mockups ?

Ultimate CSS Gradient Generator

HTML5 introduced many exciting features for Web developers. One of the features is the ability to specify gradients using pure CSS3, without having to create any images and use them as repeating backgrounds for gradient effects. This easy to use copy-and-paste tool gives you complete control when creating your CSS3 gradient.
Ultimate CSS Gradient Generator ?

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

A massive question was posted recently on Answers, asking what exactly DESIGN is. We know it is such a broad question with no clear and defined answer, but it would be interesting to hear from our readers and find out from them what they think design is?

Here is Wikipedias definition of DESIGN:

No generally-accepted definition of “design” exists, and the term has different connotations in different fields. Informally, “a design” refers to a plan for the construction of an object and “to design” refers to making this plan. However, one can also design by directly constructing an object.

You can leave your answer in the comment section below, or you can leave your answer on the original question on Answers here: Fill in the Blank: Design is _____?

This question was originally asked by David Baker.

Here are some of the Answers we have received so far:

So, what is DESIGN to you?

Thanks to everyone who asked a question, but most importantly thanks to everyone that took the time and effort to offer helpful and useful answers.

Slideshows and image galleries are all the rage at the moment, there are loads of new techniques, plugins and tutorials cropping up everywhere. In this design news round-up we have chosen our favorites from recent weeks.

SIDEWAYS – jQuery fullscreen image gallery

Sideways is a simple, yet elegant fullscreen image gallery created with the jQuery and some simple CSS.
SIDEWAYS – jQuery fullscreen image gallery

Full Page Image Gallery with jQuery

In this tutorial you can learn how to create a stunning full page gallery with scrollable thumbnails and a scrollable full screen preview. The idea is to have a thumbnails bar at the bottom of the page that scrolls automatically when the user moves the mouse. When a thumbnail is clicked, it moves to the center of the page and the full screen image is loaded in the background.
Full Page Image Gallery with jQuery

Orbit: A Slick jQuery Image Slider Plugin

Orbit is a killer jQuery plugin that lets you create a simple, effective and beautiful slider for images of any size, and even includes some parameters for making awesome captions and a sweet timer.
Orbit: A Slick jQuery Image Slider Plugin

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

It doesn’t matter whether you are a seasoned Photoshop pro or a novice, there are two things both levels have in common – a passion for learning new techniques and a huge desire to improve their skills. And as far as Photoshop tutorials go, text effects are one of the most popular techniques designers choose to follow, and in this round-up we have chosen five in which we are sure you will love.

Create a Retro Sci-Fi Movie Poster in Photoshop

If you are a fan of of sci-fi movie art, then you will love this intermediate Photoshop tutorial.
Create a Retro Sci-Fi Movie Poster in Photoshop

Urban Type Art – Photoshop & Illustrator Tutorial

London is hip again, and in this tutorial Holland-based designer Bram Vanhaeren shows you how he created a new piece that draws on all that’s great about the city – taking inspiration from the Olympics, underground club scenes and the city vista from up high.
Urban Type Art – Photoshop & Illustrator Tutorial

Create a Cosmic Scene with Photoshop and Cinema 4D

In this Photoshop and Cineme 4D tutorial, you will be shown how to create a space composition, exploring techniques for creating 3D text in Cinema 4D, a glass effect in Photoshop and a slew of different light effects.
Create a Cosmic Scene with Photoshop and Cinema 4D

Create an Awesome 3D Text Effect with Abstract Brush Decoration in Photoshop

In the tutorial, you will shown the processes used to Create an Awesome 3D Text Effect with Abstract Brush Decoration in Photoshop. This is an intermediate tutorial so some steps can be tricky.
Create an Awesome 3D Text Effect with Abstract Brush Decoration in Photoshop

Make a 3D Colorful Abstract Text Effect

Make a 3D Colorful Abstract Text Effect

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

One of the most difficult tasks web designers have to tackle is ensuring that all web pages work consistently across all web browsers. As the most of you will already know, this is no easy task. And recently, on Design Reviver Answers, this topic was brought up in discussion, and we would like to share with you some of the tips that were offered from our readers, and we would love to hear about any more you may have.

You can leave your tips and thoughts in the comment section below, or you can leave your answer on the original question on Answers here: What’s the Most Effective Way to Make Sure That My HTML/CSS Works On All Browsers?

This question was originally asked by Themans.

Our favorite answer comes from Handrus Nogueira:

The answer came from Trevor:

This answers came from Scunliffe:

Thanks to everyone who asked a question, but most importantly thanks to everyone that took the time and effort to offer helpful and useful answers.

The arrival of HTML5 and CSS3 has given web designers a major sense of excitement by offering a broader range of options, creative opportunities and shortcuts for designing a web page. We could talk about all of these new features endlessly, instead, to keep things simple, we have highlighted four web tutorials that make use of HTML5 and CSS3 perfectly and that demonstrate effectively the potential power of these fantastic technologies.

Creating a Minimal Blog Design Using HTML5, CSS3 and jQuery

Creating a Minimal Blog Design Using HTML5, CSS3 and jQuery

Coding a Stylish Blog Design Layout in HTML & CSS

This tutorial starts with the Photoshop stage of the blog design process, and shows how the design and layout are created to form an initial concept from which the fully coded blog will be based on.
Coding a Stylish Blog Design Layout in HTML & CSS

Touch The Future: Create An Elegant Website With HTML 5 And CSS3

The aim of this tutorial is to create an elegant blog/portfolio for an efficient professional (graphic and web designer or photographer), coded through two new great technologies, HTML 5 and CSS3.
Touch The Future: Create An Elegant Website With HTML 5 And CSS3

Build a HTML5/CSS3 Website Layout Without Images

Build a HTML5/CSS3 Website Layout Without Images

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

For today’s design news we have highlighted some fresh tools and resources for all you web and app designers out there. There are a couple of tools to help with any CSS3 and HTML5 development issues you may have, there is a marvelous new technique for styling buttons, and finally, and perhaps the coolest of all,some time saving iPad actions for Photoshop.

BonBon Buttons – Sweet CSS3 buttons

These sexy looking flexible CSS3 buttons have been styled with the most minimalistic markup as possible.
BonBon Buttons – Sweet CSS3 buttons

iPad Actions for Photoshop

These Photoshop Actions will allow any UX/UI designer or App developer to quickly create a gorgeous rendering of their app as it would appear on an Apple iPad. All that is required on your end is your final designs (and a copy of Photoshop, obviously).
iPad Actions for Photoshop

Selectivizr – CSS3 pseudo-class and attribute selectors for IE 6-8

selectivizr is a JavaScript utility that emulates CSS3 pseudo-classes and attribute selectors in Internet Explorer 6-8. Simply include the script in your pages and selectivizr will do the rest.
Selectivizr – CSS3 pseudo-class and attribute selectors for IE 6-8

HTML5/CSS3 Cheatsheet

Here are some simple cut-and-paste examples of HTML5/CSS3 features that are currently (mid-2010) usable across a number of web browsers, chief among them Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Opera.
HTML5/CSS3 Cheatsheet

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

Reading about the UI design process of any web site, web application or even a mobile app can be very informative and inspirational for any designer. But nothing would beat experiencing the initial design process, as the original designer did, and getting the chance to view the fruition of a UI concept. The only way you could experience this is by having a look at the designers initial wireframe sketches, and that is exactly what we have for you today in this news round-up – A Selection of Mobile UI Wireframe Sketches.

iPhone Sketches: Paper, Pencils, Wooden Forms, Ink and Brush

iPhone Sketches: Paper, Pencils, Wooden Forms, Ink and Brush

Harvest iPhone App Sketches

Harvest iPhone App Sketches

Early Ember Sketches in Color

Early Ember Sketches in Color

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).