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.
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)







Monika
September 8th, 2011 9:48 pmCongratulations and Happy birthday!!!
Rajeev Shakya
September 8th, 2011 9:55 pmHappy Big B’ day..
Thanks for the E-book :)
Design
September 8th, 2011 9:58 pmHappy Birthday SM, Thanks for your great work all these 5 years… Keep up the good work…
Mustafa Yolcu
September 8th, 2011 10:20 pmCongratulations, you have worked successfully for 5 years too…
I learned a lot thanks to.
I would like to thank all those who labor to the site.
loves.
Bill Bennett
September 8th, 2011 10:28 pmiTunes says the book isn’t available in iTunes New Zealand. Is there a workaround?
LarsT
September 8th, 2011 10:51 pmHappy Birthday! Thank, you for the ebook. I really enjoyed reading the Smashing Book 2. Keep on that good work!
Alex Bous
September 8th, 2011 10:56 pmThanks Smashing, and Happy Birthday!!! You are one of the best resources for budding developers on the web. You should be proud guys!
Yordan Kirilov
September 8th, 2011 10:57 pmHappy Birthday!!!
Thanks for all the knowledge you give us, the readers and keep up the good work!
Paul
September 8th, 2011 11:00 pmHappy Happy!! your sharing of brilliant articles has made me a better designer. The quality of the articles is always top notch! Thanks again!
Sergey
September 8th, 2011 11:16 pmWOW! Thank’s for everything! You’re the best!
Josue Ochoa
September 8th, 2011 11:18 pmHappy Birthday from Peru!
Richard
September 8th, 2011 11:53 pmThe best is yet to come from the SM team especially when we all start designing for futuristic interactive wall screens! lol
Happy Birthday and keep up the great work, you are my number one resource.
Thorsten
September 9th, 2011 12:02 amHappy Birthday from Germany! :)
Paro
September 9th, 2011 12:05 amHappy birthday!
Marcel
September 9th, 2011 12:05 amThanks for five years of inspiration, looking forward for the next five years!
Luciano
September 9th, 2011 12:11 amMaybe a logo redesign would be good now after 5 years, eh?
Costin
September 9th, 2011 12:12 amHappy B-day :) all the best!
Daniel Winnard
September 9th, 2011 12:21 amHappy birthday.
Only discovered you 18 months ago, but since then I would like to think I have become a better designer and a hell of alot more knowledgeable. Keep up the great work. Your making people like me look good. :-)
Muhammad Nasir
September 9th, 2011 12:39 amHappy Birthday!
João Paulo Rebelo
September 9th, 2011 12:45 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY.
YOU ARE THE BEST.
BEST WISHES
bli dodi
September 9th, 2011 1:27 amHappy birthday Smashing Magazine.
Because of you I can know everything about Web.
Hope always be the best
Lukas
September 9th, 2011 1:41 amcongrats guys! you made the web a better place! :D
Jose
September 9th, 2011 1:43 amhappy birthday smashers!
baswedan
September 9th, 2011 2:04 amhappy birthday!! thanks for this e-book and keep up the good work.. :)
Palash
September 9th, 2011 2:17 amthank you! well done! and love long :)
Dörthe
September 9th, 2011 2:30 amHerzlichen Glückwunsch!
Weiter so und Danke.
Dina Barbosa
September 9th, 2011 2:56 amHappy Birthday and my best wishes for you all :)
Selvam
September 9th, 2011 3:01 amyeppii…….keep rocking
ATTA
September 9th, 2011 4:12 amHappy B-DAY SM
and thanks for everything ;)………….keep doin da gr8 work.
ATTA
September 9th, 2011 4:13 amHappy B-DAY SM
thanks for everything ;)………….keep doin da gr8 work.
deedee
September 9th, 2011 4:44 amCongratulations for 5 highly successful years!
dpi
September 9th, 2011 5:03 amHappy anniversary my dear SM. You are the wonderful resource for Web dev. Keep rocking. Wishes to all editorial members.
blackiemann
September 9th, 2011 5:19 amLa multi ani smashingmagazine !
Kishore
September 9th, 2011 6:08 amGreat going SM ! My hearty best wishes to the team behind this inspiring magazine.
Luis
September 9th, 2011 6:13 amFelicitandolos desde Guatemala, q tengan muchos logros mas y adelante por este desarrollo continuo que hacen, muchas felicidades, Congratulations.
GeekTech
September 9th, 2011 6:48 amCongrats SM !!! Wishing you many more prosperous years ahead.
Andrew Roberts
September 9th, 2011 6:56 amThanks for everything!
egiova
September 9th, 2011 9:32 amSmashMag filled a gap among net proposal five years ago. And continue to doing it with an educational vocation.
It’s obvious that if you follow you own built path, you’ll gonna exist, at least as long as people will have the will of learning.
So, Feliz Cumpleaños, Joyeux Anniversaire, Happy Birthday, and all this sort of things.
Ejaz Siddiqui
September 9th, 2011 9:41 amCongrats SM for completing 5 years. You have been truly smashing in these years.
Diana Hernandez
September 9th, 2011 11:00 amThat´s great! but why the download is taking so much to finish? I mean the zip file, 55mb usually does not take too much time.
Walter
September 9th, 2011 11:21 amHappy Birthday SM! I love you guys! & gals! You have helped me so much. Every time i have a problem i search SM 1st. Thank you so much! Can your next inspiration piece please be on bakeries? I find most look the same and am looking for unique and stunning bakery websites. I couldn’t find any on SM.
Thanks!
Xelainfocus
September 9th, 2011 2:29 pmHappy birthday, Smashing Magazine, the best web magazine in the world!!!
Koming
September 9th, 2011 5:51 pmh’ppy birthday Smashing Magazine…. thanks for the best ebook
Juan
September 9th, 2011 6:21 pmHappy Birthday. Thanks for all your hard work.
Mukund
September 9th, 2011 7:34 pmHappy Birthday Smashing Magazine.
And thanks for such gift on ocassion of your fifth birthday
kevin_cao
September 9th, 2011 7:39 pmHappy birthday to Smashing Magazine!
Thanks for all your hard work.
Mukarram
September 10th, 2011 4:22 amHappy Birthday!
Live Long Smashing Magazine …. :)
Shabir Gilkar
September 10th, 2011 8:33 amHappy Birthday Smashing Magazine!
From all over the cool and snow clad peaks of paradise on earth i.e Kashmir ASIA..
SarDira
September 10th, 2011 10:55 amWOW that means I’m a loyal reader for 3 years now!
You are right it those 3 years have passed so quickly!
Happy Birthday SM!
Sean
September 10th, 2011 1:29 pmThank you very much.
And happy birthday!
Michael
September 10th, 2011 9:53 pmHappy Birthday ;-)
No idea where we would have been without you … but it would have been dark … and grim.
Best wishes from Denmark.
Amit
September 10th, 2011 10:37 pmHappy bday Smashing magazine! Downloading the ebook right now :D thanks :)
Animesh Shrestha
September 11th, 2011 1:19 amMany 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.
:)
Bobby Kane
September 11th, 2011 7:55 amHappy Birthday to SmashingMagazine.com!
Just imagine where it’ll be in another 5 years!! I know I’ll be around to see it. (and more!)
samantha
September 11th, 2011 9:48 amHappy birthday!! Thank you guys for everything – I’m an everyday reader :)
Jesús
September 11th, 2011 11:52 amHappy Birthday, and many thanks for ths wonderful resource. I wrote a short review in spanish about the anniversay book, http://tramullas.com/2011/09/09/5-anos-de-smashing-magazine/
Crusnik
September 11th, 2011 12:18 pmHappy B-day, Smashing Magazine! Keep on smashing us!
Chris
September 11th, 2011 7:23 pmThanks guys! And more power to you!
Nirosh
September 11th, 2011 7:54 pmHappy Birthday ! Best Wishes from Sri Lanka :). Keep your good work forward !
sydesigner
September 11th, 2011 9:25 pmHBD Smashing Magazine! Keep smashing!
ranjit
September 11th, 2011 10:23 pmCongrats on turning five and keep up the good work in the years to come!
Lokesh
September 11th, 2011 10:29 pmKeep smashing us with your valuable posts… can’t imagine my daily stuff without you !
marvin
September 11th, 2011 10:45 pmHappy Birthday to you.
I’m really impressed with your work.
deepak
September 11th, 2011 11:33 pmgood one
VM
September 12th, 2011 12:30 amHappy birthday! i remember when i was just a college student learning HTML, Smashing Magazine was my “secret recipe” (give me huge, high-q graphics, not to mention long loading from a 56kbps dial up modem) and is still too when I’m already working as web developer.
Really enjoyed reading your first book and oh recently I got a free Smashing Book #2 from a generous gentleman too.
Keep smashing!
Bala
September 12th, 2011 12:54 amHappy birthday!
Himadri
September 12th, 2011 3:27 amHappy Birthday
Michelle
September 12th, 2011 4:19 amHappy Birthday! Looking forward to many more birthdays!!! Thanks for all of your hard work!
Kim
September 12th, 2011 5:28 amHappy Birthday! Looking forward to many more to come…thanks for all the hard and good work.
Pulcix
September 12th, 2011 8:46 am/////// H A P P Y ///////
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Su Hall
September 12th, 2011 10:16 amWhat a clever idea! When it comes to all thing digital, web and/or design, Smashing has been in my list of must reads since I began this online journey of mine. Thank you for everything! Wishing you every success in the future, too!
Su
Suety
September 12th, 2011 11:08 amHappy Birthday Smashing Magazine!
Although designing is currently not my career, you’ve provided a lot of top-notch info that is good to read! I still send people that article on the types my clients/friends and it helps them sympathise with me.
Thank you for the gift, will download it once I get home.
I’m sure your future will continue to be bright :)
Abdul
September 12th, 2011 3:39 pmHappy Brithday – You Inspire me everyday.
Thanks,
Abdul
Sandra
September 12th, 2011 5:22 pmhappy birthday! I love you ,smashing magazine!
Benny Jien
September 12th, 2011 5:26 pmHappy Birthday Smashing Magazine!
Thanks for the awesome gift. :)
Sandra
September 12th, 2011 5:27 pmHappy birthday!I love you ,smashing magazine!
webcook
September 12th, 2011 10:17 pmCongrats :-) Keep Growing
Andrei
September 12th, 2011 10:57 pmamazing, thanks a lot, and happy b.day :)
vita
September 13th, 2011 12:04 amHappy birthday!
Thanks for the download. Also have your books, always a nice read..
Now I have to buy an e-reader.. :)
Thanks for all the inspiration and informative articles over the years.
Serge
September 13th, 2011 12:49 amHappy Anniversary, Smashing Magazine!
You’re a pleasure to read, both for the information you provide and the attitude towards your readers.
Thanks a million and keep growing further.
Hussain
September 13th, 2011 12:51 amHappy Birthday Smashing magazine, You given me alot…
Leena
September 13th, 2011 4:43 amHappy Birthday!! :)
You should publish such ebooks more often. Great work.. way to go!!!
Dave
September 13th, 2011 5:47 amHappy Birthday!
Hope to see more GORGEOUSLY-SMASHING pubs from you guys!
Keep it up! ^o^/
Willem
September 13th, 2011 6:17 amHappy Birthday Smashing Mag!! My nr1 source of inspiration and info.
Thanks for the awesome e-book.
Keep up the good work!
bhavna
September 13th, 2011 8:27 amHappy birthday !!
You have helped many achieve great milestones in these five years….words are not enough to comment on the praiseworthy efforts the entire team puts in…
This website is a cake for designers and today you have provided the chocolate icing to that cake through this free magazine
Thanks a lot!!
Keep it up….long live SMASHING MAGAZINE :-)
Stephanie Wong
September 13th, 2011 9:23 amDear Smashing Magazine Team,
Fabulous job and Happy Birthday. Thank you for the free books, I am sure we can expect nothing but the best from you!
All the best and hope to see you succeed more in the coming years :)
Manisha Lal
September 13th, 2011 9:23 amWish you a very Happy birthday Smashing Magazine ………………. love all your articles on web designing……………. Keep it up………. :)
Lambros
September 13th, 2011 9:56 amPlease +1 for greek itunes store !
Catherine
September 13th, 2011 10:37 amHappy Birthday!
Thank you for the tremendous work you are doing. Thank you for your professionalism and thank you for allowing us to learn from you. I receive and analyze the vast amount of information each day and to be honest: your materials are amongst the most useful and informative.
Thanks again and happy birthday!
Fenix
September 13th, 2011 4:44 pmHappy birthday!
i hope its oki if i reblog this
Nate
September 13th, 2011 7:12 pmHappy Birthday, Smashing Magazine & the Smashers! ;-)
mahda
September 13th, 2011 7:27 pmHappy Birthday, Smashing Magazine!
Keep inspiring!
Love all your content!
gijoe
November 7th, 2011 3:40 pmGive thanks.
Utopian
September 13th, 2011 8:39 pmBest wishes! Your service is awesome and a tons of thanks for the tremendous work!
Alexson
September 13th, 2011 9:02 pmThank you, Smashing Magazine!
Alexandru
September 14th, 2011 2:10 amHappy smashing birthday !
manivannan
September 14th, 2011 3:49 amHappy B’day to Smashing Magazine ! Thanks for the e-book.
Iciar
September 14th, 2011 2:08 pmFelicidades!!!, you rock, many thanks for this present, you are the best :)
avn
September 14th, 2011 5:57 pmi dont know whats wrong with that itunes link – is that working?
Hakan YILMAZ
September 14th, 2011 9:00 pmHappy Birthday Smashing Magazine!
Jamal
September 14th, 2011 9:54 pmHappy awesome 5th birthday and wishes for many more to come, learnt and learning a lot from smashing network. Keep up the good spirit.
Thanks for being smashing!