To Five Smashing Years… And A Free Anniversary eBook Treat!

When we started Smashing Magazine, we didn’t expect anything. We didn’t have a grand master plan for a successful online magazine for designers and developers. We created something that we found useful and that we thought others would find useful, too. We did not lose focus, we relied on instinct more than once, we stayed patient, and we pulled the occasional night shift. That was 2006.

And then you came along.

You have passed the word along, left comments, dropped us emails. You let us know that we matter. You let us know that we are doing something meaningful. And you let us know that our humble work deserved your attention. And we listened — carefully.

Five years have passed, and the magazine has changed. That small, obscure blog of list posts and round-ups has evolved into a professional publication with a publishing policy, editorial structures and a house style guide. The Smashing family no longer has only two members, but rather a dedicated team of experienced authors, research assistants, expert advisors, editors and proofreaders.

We all do our best to bring you the trusted advice, techniques, tutorials, resources and opinions that Smashing Magazine is known for nowadays and that the Web design community around the world has come to rely on.

Smashing Magazine is a quality-obsessed, passionate team, but it is also you: you and every single reader who has been reading Smashing Magazine for all these years. Thank you for being with us; thank you for your support, criticism and encouragement over all these years. We could not exist without you.

A Smashing Magazine Anniversary Treat

Today, Smashing Magazine turns five. It’s hard to believe that the years have passed so quickly. Many things have changed, but when we look back, we realize how wonderful and sometimes even intoxicating the journey has been so far. And you — who made us what we are today — deserve a special thank-you.

To honor the occasion, we have a humble gift for you: the free “Best of Smashing Magazine” Anniversary eBook.



Free download on iTunes
Free download on Smashing Magazine (.zip, 55 Mb)

The eBook is available in PDF, ePUB and Mobipocket formats. This eBook is our gift to you for your support, criticism and encouragement over all these years. We’d like it to be your very own memory box of your last five years with Smashing Magazine — something perhaps to bring back memories a couple of years from now. We’d like you to have a part of Smashing Magazine with you when you are on the go.

What’s in the eBook?

The eBook contains the best articles that have been published on Smashing Magazine in the last five years — and by “best,” we mean the most useful, most interesting or most inspiring. The articles have been carefully edited, proofread and updated for your convenience and reading pleasure on your eBook reader.

It discusses usability issues and the principles of effective Web design. It covers the guidelines for beautiful and effective typography, and it spotlights methods of responsive Web design. In addition, you’ll learn how to master professional Photoshop techniques, explore storytelling in your designs, and focus on three key areas to polish your content strategy. Never thought that harmony between designers and developers was possible? Dig in to see how the two camps can collaborate productively and learn from each other.

Further Smashing ePublications

You can also buy your Smashing eBooks on Apple and Amazon. Our product range in the Apple iBookstore is now available in 32 countries instead of the initial six. Costumers from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland can now shop Smashing eBooks as easily as our customers from the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France and Australia.

These Smashing Magazine eBooks are available in the Apple iBookstore and in the Amazon Kindle Store:

#01: Professional Web Design | Amazon
#02: Successful Freelancing | Amazon
#03: Mastering Photoshop | Amazon
#04: Mobile Design | Amazon | Apple
#05: E-Commerce | Amazon | Apple
#06: Typography | Amazon | Apple
#07: Professional Web Design 2 | Amazon | Apple
#08: Mastering Photoshop 2 | Amazon | Apple
#09: Mastering CSS | Amazon | Apple
#10: WordPress Essentials | Amazon | Apple
#11: Mastering WordPress | Amazon | Apple
#12: WordPress Tutorials | Amazon | Apple
#13: JavaScript Essentials | Amazon | Apple
#14: Mastering jQuery | Amazon | Apple
How to Create an eBook | Amazon | Apple
Professional Workflow | Amazon | Apple
The Smashing Book #1 | Amazon | Apple

We are very thankful for the trust and confidence you put in us and we appreciate your loyal support. We want to keep your access to Smashing Magazine as comfortable as possible.

Cheers, dear friends. And here is to the next five years!

(al) (vf) (il)

We love high-quality content and we care about little details. We believe that good content and design are crafts worth sharpening. Located in the lovely city of Freiburg, Germany. Mostly Vitaly (vf), Iris (il), Stephan (sp) and Sven (sl).

  1. 301

    Ibrahim Azhar Armar

    September 14th, 2011 10:15 pm

    The iTunes link doen’t work out of US Stores, i am not able to download via iTunes for my iPad :( , anyway Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine, We love you. keep smashing :)

    +3
  2. 302

    Fernando Agüero

    September 15th, 2011 1:19 am

    Happy Birthday guys!

    Kepp on rockin’ like this. You have created one of the best websites ever.
    Thanks and go for another 5.

    Cheers.

    +4
  3. 303

    Oana

    September 15th, 2011 5:38 am

    Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine! I wish you many more years. You really have a smashing network!
    And thanks for the ebook!

    +2
  4. 304

    Ashish Lohorung Rai

    September 15th, 2011 4:18 pm

    Congrats from my side for turning 5.. I wish all the best for your future. Have a great time… and thanks for the PDF… :-)

    0
  5. 305

    daniel

    September 16th, 2011 5:12 am

    Hi, thanks for the book and congratulations for the 5th year. I’ve been following SM from the begining. I have one question. The book is available on the iphone/itunes app store only for US. My iphone is configured for Romania and I can’t download it.

    0
  6. 306

    Jim S.

    September 17th, 2011 4:18 am

    Happy Birthday! Thanks fro the free download, I can’t wait to dig into it.

    +1
  7. 307

    abu-fahhad

    September 18th, 2011 11:44 am

    naice :)

    +1
  8. 308

    DamirK

    September 19th, 2011 1:44 am

    Thank you! and happy birth day!

    0
  9. 309

    Uldis

    September 19th, 2011 1:50 am

    Yeah, right! for US store only, tnx..

    +1
  10. 310

    Mark

    September 19th, 2011 1:55 am

    Thanks dudes!
    But its not available in the dutch itunes store and my iPad can’t handle zip’s :(

    0
  11. 311

    Shafie

    September 19th, 2011 2:14 am

    Happy Birthday and thanks for this great gift

    0
  12. 312

    Jorgos

    September 19th, 2011 2:38 am

    Happy Birthday! Vielen Dank für die tollen Artikel!

    0
  13. 313

    Richard Bultitude

    September 19th, 2011 5:47 am

    Many happy returns Smashing Mag. Keep up the good work :]

    0
  14. 314

    Shaji T.U

    September 20th, 2011 9:38 pm

    Happy Birthday!!! And Thank YOU Very Much for this gift… :)

    0
  15. 315

    nadim

    September 21st, 2011 8:12 am

    Happy birthday !

    0
  16. 316

    Heidi

    September 22nd, 2011 3:00 am

    Congratulations!

    And many thanks 4 the eBook :)

    0
  17. 317

    Imeily

    September 22nd, 2011 5:56 pm

    Happy anniversary, and thank you so much for the gift :)

    0
  18. 318

    Marlou

    September 23rd, 2011 1:45 am

    The link redirects my ipad to the itunes store, saying that it’s not available in the Netherlands. :(

    0
    • 319

      Jan

      November 4th, 2011 1:32 pm

      I can confirm, have the same problem here (i’m from Belgium), but link redirect to the Netherlands

      0
  19. 320

    manoj

    September 27th, 2011 2:51 am

    happy birthday

    :)

    0
  20. 321

    Melvin Thambi

    September 27th, 2011 12:55 pm

    Happy B-day!!!

    0
  21. 322

    Srinivas Vardha

    September 29th, 2011 3:07 am

    Happy Anniversary!
    Congratulations on turning 5 and you have been awesome till now and one of the best.
    Good to see more from you in future. Rock on Smashing…

    0
  22. 323

    Max Monastyrev

    September 29th, 2011 2:20 pm

    Brilliant!

    On a side note, this is an excellent way to engage your audience, but that’s totally acceptable, this is a gem!

    0
  23. 324

    Meediax

    October 3rd, 2011 3:01 am

    Happy birthday to you guys… wishing you another smashing 5 years ahead.

    0
  24. 325

    Danielle

    October 3rd, 2011 8:33 am

    I found this place a few months ago and honestly, it’s one of my favorite sites to go through. So much information!!! You guys have done an amazing job and I look forward to hanging around for the next 5+ years =] Thank you, for making this place a reality!!

    0
  25. 326

    JanDirk

    October 13th, 2011 5:14 am

    YOU GUYS ROCK! My most favorite website on the net!

    +1
  26. 327

    lourdes lilly

    October 17th, 2011 6:46 pm

    Happy Birthday!!! thanks so much for all the wonderful and informational articles, what would I do without you!? :) ;) :D

    0
  27. 328

    Nihat Çilingir

    October 19th, 2011 6:31 am

    Happy birthday. just got my copy. thanks

    0
  28. 329

    Marcel Havenith

    October 19th, 2011 7:33 am

    Happy birthday and thank you!

    0
  29. 330

    Ragan

    October 19th, 2011 7:47 pm

    Happy Birthday from Colombia !!! thank you for that awesome work in 5 years … and thanks for the book!

    0
  30. 331

    John Miller

    October 20th, 2011 1:19 am

    Happy Birthday Smashing Mag. There’s no telling where we would be without you. Wishing you a fabulous anniversary, and many smashing years. Keep smashing! – Kenya

    0
  31. 332

    Haifa

    October 20th, 2011 4:05 am

    Happy Birthday : )

    Just bought your printed books #1 & #2 and downloading the anniversary ebook!

    Thank you for the years of good advice and interesting discussions.

    xo from Australia

    0
  32. 333

    Petr

    October 21st, 2011 8:00 am

    HpB THX SM

    +1
  33. 334

    Tanveer

    October 21st, 2011 12:43 pm

    we, the designer community, we are in love with you :)

    +1
  34. 335

    Jayesh Goyani

    October 21st, 2011 9:28 pm

    be lated many many happy returns of the day

    0
  35. 336

    Beben Koben

    October 22nd, 2011 8:10 am

    Happy birthday…
    sorry late :D

    0
  36. 337

    THEQ

    October 23rd, 2011 9:41 am

    Guys, please, why only US App Store? This kind of sucks. You are great, but this. Please change it. Thanks*

    0
  37. 338

    reev

    October 25th, 2011 6:58 pm

    best site ever. :) happy anniversary SM!

    0
  38. 339

    santhosh

    October 26th, 2011 10:54 pm

    Happy Birthday Smaasheeeeeeeeeeeeee…..
    It was a great help for me during my career as a graphic designer, to develop my skills, abilitiy and ofcourse new secretes…from you. Am a Great loyal fan you sence then

    0
  39. 340

    Dang Thanh

    October 27th, 2011 6:06 am

    Happy birthday Smashing Magazine (Although It was pretty late). Thank you very much for eBook.

    0
  40. 341

    Mårten

    October 27th, 2011 10:33 pm

    Great gift, many thanks and hope to see you just as much in the years to come …

    0
  41. 342

    Manivannan

    November 1st, 2011 1:13 am

    My Default home page is smashing magazine. Contents are crisp and informative.

    Many more happy returns of the day

    0
  42. 343

    Mario

    November 2nd, 2011 4:11 pm

    You guys have won 2 internets. kudos.

    0
  43. 344

    kevin

    November 2nd, 2011 8:18 pm

    best site ever. :) happy anniversary SM!

    0
  44. 345

    randy r. karaan

    November 3rd, 2011 9:38 pm

    Congratulations guys!

    More blessings and opportunities!

    Randy

    0
  45. 346

    Marie

    November 4th, 2011 3:06 am

    I wish it also was available in the danish version of iTunes Store :-(

    0
  46. 347

    Javier

    November 4th, 2011 5:14 am

    Surely will be digging into it! It looks great!
    Thanks for sharing it with all of us, and cheers for another five awesome years!

    0
  47. 348

    ajl

    November 6th, 2011 12:14 am

    Happy bday SM! 10x for the gift :)

    0
  48. 349

    Fractal Zone

    November 6th, 2011 4:06 pm

    Thanks for the free 5th Anniv. Ebook. I haven’t read it yet, but after visiting just a couple of pages on your Web site and reading the reviews about it and the Ebook therein, I’m sure it will make my next long flight more tolerable, as my HTV EVO 4G has more than enough umph to render it properly (if in a somewhat tiny format).

    Regards,
    Fractal Zone

    -1
  49. 350

    prabhath

    November 7th, 2011 3:17 am

    Happy Birthday : )

    +1
  50. 351

    sudipta

    November 8th, 2011 4:59 am

    Happy Birthday

    -1
  51. 352

    4rm

    November 10th, 2011 3:58 am

    Happy birthday

    0
  52. 353

    Bharat sharma

    November 10th, 2011 10:29 pm

    HBD !!! Grew up.

    0
  53. 354

    Jozsef Hegedus

    November 11th, 2011 2:16 am

    Happy Birthday,
    and thanks for the gift :)

    0
  54. 355

    Roland

    November 14th, 2011 4:58 am

    Happy Birthday! Thanks for the wonderful Free gift! You mag rocks with the terrific articles continuously being published in them :)
    All the best ahead for many more fantastic publications!

    0
  55. 356

    Marjo

    November 14th, 2011 6:56 am

    Happy birthday and thanks for a gift. :D
    Your articles have been very useful.

    0
  56. 357

    Puneet Goyal

    November 14th, 2011 8:03 am

    Thanks a lot!

    0
  57. 358

    Danny M.

    November 15th, 2011 9:48 am

    So awesome, thanks Smashing Mag! Looking forward to the next 5 years of great articles.

    0
  58. 359

    raj

    November 16th, 2011 9:37 am

    Happy Birthday.

    In these years you have changed many lives. Know that you will keep doing these in coming years too.

    0
  59. 360

    Alexander Stepanets

    November 16th, 2011 6:24 pm

    Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine and thank you for awesome site and eBook!

    Keep it Alive! :)

    0
  60. 361

    Rob

    November 21st, 2011 2:24 pm

    Thanks SM, Sure its another good read!

    0
  61. 362

    mss.janey

    November 23rd, 2011 6:22 am

    hey guys!

    thank you so much for this gift-book – anything you do is just awesome, inspiring & super-helpful!

    happy birthday and many more successful years to come!

    0
  62. 363

    Leslie Williams

    November 24th, 2011 8:01 pm

    Smashing Magazine!!! You guys have contributed in no small measure to the person i am today!

    Thank you and here’s to the next five years and beyond

    Cheers and God Bless

    0
  63. 364

    Sovichet Tep

    November 24th, 2011 8:35 pm

    Happy Birthday!
    Thank for those book. Very useful :)

    0
  64. 365

    Karess

    November 24th, 2011 11:18 pm

    WIN! Thanks for sharing this, you guys!

    0
  65. 366

    Aditya

    November 28th, 2011 2:50 am

    Late but rocks!! Success for all!

    Thanks

    0
  66. 367

    vijayta

    November 30th, 2011 10:18 pm

    Happy Anniversary Smashing…

    0
  67. 368

    Sani Aliyu

    December 1st, 2011 6:25 am

    Great way to show appreciation! You guys have done a fantastic job of making the web more stylish!
    I am downloading your ebook right now. Pls keep up the good work.

    0
  68. 369

    Sankaranand

    December 4th, 2011 8:19 am

    Please make the ebook available in worldwide itunes stores please.. i cannot download it from india

    0
  69. 370

    Kate

    December 4th, 2011 1:08 pm

    I’m a little late to the party but HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and thanks soooo much for this very informative, interesting and brilliant ebook! Thank you.

    0
  70. 371

    hemz

    December 7th, 2011 9:25 am

    I am late here, but wish you a happy belated birthday! :) cheers

    0
  71. 372

    Robert

    December 8th, 2011 9:42 am

    Happy birthday Smashing M.!!!
    Smash us more. Thanks for the gift book. And many years to come.
    Robert
    greetings from Croatia (Hrvatska)

    0
  72. 373

    Sumeet Chawla

    December 10th, 2011 12:57 pm

    The iTunes version is “Not available in the Indian Market” :( Have to download it to my computer and then transfer it to the iPad :|

    0
  73. 374

    Carrie

    December 11th, 2011 1:53 am

    Happy Birthday Smashing Mag!

    I have always looked to your amazing collective for inspiration, information and guidance. I loved your first book; and am ordering your second one shortly (as soon as some clients pay me LOL). You guys are so talented and the choices you make in the information you share with the world shows that you totally ‘get it’… and for that I salute you. Thanks for sharing the ebook. It reminds us just how embedded you have been in our design and development lives over the years :-)

    Cheers :-D

    0
  74. 375

    catarinavclemente

    December 13th, 2011 7:19 am

    You are a true smashing team. All your issues have great pertinence and quality.
    Happy birthday!!!!!

    0
  75. 376

    Kyle

    December 19th, 2011 11:14 pm

    Though I’ve only known you a short while, you have given credence to my belief that a website should be treated as a story and that the interface design illustrates the story in a manner that gives the user a pleasant experience while visiting and brings them back for more. Nice book and let’s drink a toast (of your favorite beverage) to the next 5 years!

    0
  76. 377

    Tina Ahmad

    December 21st, 2011 12:26 am

    thanks for being my good friend and inspiration.
    so many articles which are very helpful and improve my design knowledge.
    greeting from Indonesia!!

    0
  77. 378

    Kanchan Rai

    December 24th, 2011 4:49 pm

    Happy Anniversary and Thanks a lot for the ebook!! I hope it sure will be very helpful and interesting indeed!!

    0
  78. 379

    eugeo

    December 28th, 2011 10:30 pm

    Too bad it isn’t available for Argentina :(

    0
  79. 380

    tleaha

    December 29th, 2011 9:33 am

    Thanks smashing team for your works. Happy aniversary :)

    0
  80. 381

    Arun Sengupta

    January 19th, 2012 6:20 pm

    Best Of Luck for many many years ahead and more success :)
    Thanx a lot for a beautiful site and content :D

    0
  81. 382

    Joe Twumasi

    January 30th, 2012 12:27 pm

    Wow thanks for the ebook treat and we love you guys, big ups and keep doing the best.

    0
  82. 383

    Mon Paningbatan

    February 8th, 2012 11:27 am

    Happy Anniversary guys! I appreciate the yummy treat.
    emag=cake Cheers! More power and keep on rockin’!

    +1

  1. 1

    Michael

    September 10th, 2011 9:53 pm

    Happy Birthday ;-)

    No idea where we would have been without you … but it would have been dark … and grim.

    Best wishes from Denmark.

    +11
  2. 2

    Duarte Sousa

    September 8th, 2011 2:26 am

    Happy birthday!!!

    Continue with the good work!!

    Congratulations!

    +4
  3. 3

    Fernando Agüero

    September 15th, 2011 1:19 am

    Happy Birthday guys!

    Kepp on rockin’ like this. You have created one of the best websites ever.
    Thanks and go for another 5.

    Cheers.

    +4
  4. 4

    Jens Grochtdreis

    September 8th, 2011 2:35 am

    Happy Birthday for your 5th anniversary. Smashing Magazine has always been a source of inspiration. Even the long published lists (“500 best of anything”) were inspiring and informative. In the last two years the quality has increased enormously and it is getting harder and harder to keep pace with your output. Keep up your very good work! Let’s see how the next five years will turn out.

    +3
  5. 5

    Ibrahim Azhar Armar

    September 14th, 2011 10:15 pm

    The iTunes link doen’t work out of US Stores, i am not able to download via iTunes for my iPad :( , anyway Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine, We love you. keep smashing :)

    +3
  6. 6

    Flo K

    September 8th, 2011 3:35 am

    Happy Birthday!
    Thanks for the last 5 years! You rock!

    +2
  7. 7

    Thomas Giannattasio

    September 8th, 2011 2:50 am

    Happy Anniversary guys! You’ve built a wonderful community and I’m happy to be part of the family.

    +2
  8. 8

    Rafael John

    September 8th, 2011 2:47 am

    hey its your birthday! but you give us gifts instead??!!!
    haha. Happy birthday!!

    +2
  9. 9

    Lisa

    September 8th, 2011 2:44 am

    Congratulations and keep up the great work! You’re my first choice, come-to resource of web knowledge :)

    +2
  10. 10

    Michel Bozgounov

    September 8th, 2011 7:42 am

    Congrats, Smashing Team!

    Happy birthday, and I hope to read you and participate in the Smashing fun not 5, but at least 25 more years! ;-)

    +2
  11. 11

    Marios

    September 8th, 2011 7:48 am

    Happy Birthday! Thank you for the ebook – Smashing Magazine ROCKS!!!!!!

    +2
  12. 12

    Animesh Shrestha

    September 11th, 2011 1:19 am

    Many many many happy returns of the day.

    You have given us a different look and feel towards the internet.

    Keep us smashed and may we get to wish you for eternity.

    :)

    +2
  13. 13

    India

    September 8th, 2011 1:34 pm

    Here’s to another 5 years. Smashing Magazine has been an inspiration and teacher to me since I discovered it back in 2008. Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

    +2
  14. 14

    Oana

    September 15th, 2011 5:38 am

    Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine! I wish you many more years. You really have a smashing network!
    And thanks for the ebook!

    +2
  15. 15

    Jurgens

    September 8th, 2011 4:06 am

    Happy 5th b-day! Hope you have another 50 smashing years to come! :)

    I have been visiting Smashing Magazine for a while now but this is my first comment here.

    I would like to thank you for all the great articles and inspiration you bring. And thanks so much for the awesome birthday gift :)

    Keep on doing what you do! :)

    +2
  16. 16

    Davor Tomic

    September 8th, 2011 4:24 am

    Best wishes for your birthday, SmashingMag Team! No need to get better, you’re already perfect :)

    +2
  17. 17

    samantha

    September 11th, 2011 9:48 am

    Happy birthday!! Thank you guys for everything – I’m an everyday reader :)

    +2
  18. 18

    Kumar Kolaganti

    September 8th, 2011 10:10 am

    Happy 5th birthday. This is an excellent compilation and thank you for this great gift!!!

    +1
  19. 19

    Tanveer

    October 21st, 2011 12:43 pm

    we, the designer community, we are in love with you :)

    +1
  20. 20

    Petr

    October 21st, 2011 8:00 am

    HpB THX SM

    +1
  21. 21

    abu-fahhad

    September 18th, 2011 11:44 am

    naice :)

    +1
  22. 22

    JanDirk

    October 13th, 2011 5:14 am

    YOU GUYS ROCK! My most favorite website on the net!

    +1
  23. 23

    Gaurav

    September 8th, 2011 3:40 am

    Many many happy birthday :)

    Fantastic website.

    +1
  24. 24

    Awesh Shrivasava

    September 8th, 2011 3:38 am

    Happy Birthday

    +1
  25. 25

    agencehorizon

    September 8th, 2011 3:33 am

    Whoa, thanks for such a nice gift, and happy B-day!

    +1
  26. 26

    el.gambo

    September 8th, 2011 3:30 am

    Happy Birthday and thanks for the book :)

    +1
  27. 27

    m4c

    September 8th, 2011 3:25 am

    Five Anniversary! :) We wait for 10th!

    +1
  28. 28

    Julia

    September 8th, 2011 2:39 am

    Happy anniversary my dear friends! Keep smashing us with valuable articles and creative projects =)

    +1
  29. 29

    ray

    September 8th, 2011 2:38 am

    Happy Birthday! And thanks for everything!

    +1
  30. 30

    Tony Jesus

    September 8th, 2011 2:56 am

    Have a smashing birthday!

    Keep up the good work

    +1

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