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)

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. 201

    Congratulations and Happy birthday!!!

    0
  2. 202

    Happy Big B’ day..
    Thanks for the E-book :)

    0
  3. 203

    Happy Birthday SM, Thanks for your great work all these 5 years… Keep up the good work…

    0
  4. 204

    Congratulations, 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.

    0
  5. 205

    iTunes says the book isn’t available in iTunes New Zealand. Is there a workaround?

    0
  6. 206

    Happy Birthday! Thank, you for the ebook. I really enjoyed reading the Smashing Book 2. Keep on that good work!

    0
  7. 207

    Thanks Smashing, and Happy Birthday!!! You are one of the best resources for budding developers on the web. You should be proud guys!

    0
  8. 208

    Happy Birthday!!!

    Thanks for all the knowledge you give us, the readers and keep up the good work!

    0
  9. 209

    Happy Happy!! your sharing of brilliant articles has made me a better designer. The quality of the articles is always top notch! Thanks again!

    0
  10. 210

    WOW! Thank’s for everything! You’re the best!

    0
  11. 211

    Happy Birthday from Peru!

    0
  12. 212

    The 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.

    0
  13. 213

    Happy Birthday from Germany! :)

    0
  14. 214

    Happy birthday!

    +1
  15. 215

    Thanks for five years of inspiration, looking forward for the next five years!

    0
  16. 216

    Maybe a logo redesign would be good now after 5 years, eh?

    +1
  17. 217

    Happy B-day :) all the best!

    0
  18. 218

    Happy 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. :-)

    0
  19. 219

    Happy Birthday!

    0
  20. 220

    João Paulo Rebelo

    September 9th, 2011 12:45 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

    YOU ARE THE BEST.

    BEST WISHES

    0
  21. 221

    Happy birthday Smashing Magazine.
    Because of you I can know everything about Web.

    Hope always be the best

    0
  22. 222

    congrats guys! you made the web a better place! :D

    0
  23. 223

    happy birthday smashers!

    0
  24. 224

    happy birthday!! thanks for this e-book and keep up the good work.. :)

    0
  25. 225

    thank you! well done! and love long :)

    0
  26. 226

    Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
    Weiter so und Danke.

    0
  27. 227

    Happy Birthday and my best wishes for you all :)

    0
  28. 228

    yeppii…….keep rocking

    0
  29. 229

    Happy B-DAY SM
    and thanks for everything ;)………….keep doin da gr8 work.

    0
  30. 230

    Happy B-DAY SM
    thanks for everything ;)………….keep doin da gr8 work.

    0
  31. 231

    Congratulations for 5 highly successful years!

    0
  32. 232

    Happy anniversary my dear SM. You are the wonderful resource for Web dev. Keep rocking. Wishes to all editorial members.

    0
  33. 233

    La multi ani smashingmagazine !

    0
  34. 234

    Great going SM ! My hearty best wishes to the team behind this inspiring magazine.

    0
  35. 235

    Felicitandolos desde Guatemala, q tengan muchos logros mas y adelante por este desarrollo continuo que hacen, muchas felicidades, Congratulations.

    0
  36. 236

    Congrats SM !!! Wishing you many more prosperous years ahead.

    0
  37. 237

    Thanks for everything!

    0
  38. 238

    SmashMag 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.

    0
  39. 239

    Congrats SM for completing 5 years. You have been truly smashing in these years.

    0
  40. 240

    That´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.

    0
  41. 241

    Happy 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!

    0
  42. 242

    Happy birthday, Smashing Magazine, the best web magazine in the world!!!

    0
  43. 243

    h’ppy birthday Smashing Magazine…. thanks for the best ebook

    0
  44. 244

    Happy Birthday. Thanks for all your hard work.

    0
  45. 245

    Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine.
    And thanks for such gift on ocassion of your fifth birthday

    0
  46. 246

    Happy birthday to Smashing Magazine!
    Thanks for all your hard work.

    0
  47. 247

    Happy Birthday!
    Live Long Smashing Magazine …. :)

    0
  48. 248

    Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine!
    From all over the cool and snow clad peaks of paradise on earth i.e Kashmir ASIA..

    0
  49. 249

    WOW 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!

    0
  50. 250

    Thank you very much.
    And happy birthday!

    0
  51. 251

    Happy Birthday ;-)

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

    Best wishes from Denmark.

    +11
  52. 252

    Happy bday Smashing magazine! Downloading the ebook right now :D thanks :)

    0
  53. 253

    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
  54. 254

    Happy 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!)

    0
  55. 255

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

    +2
  56. 256

    Happy 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/

    0
  57. 257

    Happy B-day, Smashing Magazine! Keep on smashing us!

    0
  58. 258

    Thanks guys! And more power to you!

    0
  59. 259

    Happy Birthday ! Best Wishes from Sri Lanka :). Keep your good work forward !

    0
  60. 260

    HBD Smashing Magazine! Keep smashing!

    0
  61. 261

    Congrats on turning five and keep up the good work in the years to come!

    0
  62. 262

    Keep smashing us with your valuable posts… can’t imagine my daily stuff without you !

    0
  63. 263

    Happy Birthday to you.
    I’m really impressed with your work.

    0
  64. 264
  65. 265

    Happy 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!

    +1
  66. 266

    Happy birthday!

    0
  67. 267

    Happy Birthday

    0
  68. 268

    Happy Birthday! Looking forward to many more birthdays!!! Thanks for all of your hard work!

    0
  69. 269

    Happy Birthday! Looking forward to many more to come…thanks for all the hard and good work.

    0
  70. 270

    /////// H A P P Y ///////
    B I R T H D H A Y
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  71. 271

    What 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

    +1
  72. 272

    Happy 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 :)

    0
  73. 273

    Happy Brithday – You Inspire me everyday.

    Thanks,
    Abdul

    0
  74. 274

    happy birthday! I love you ,smashing magazine!

    0
  75. 275

    Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine!

    Thanks for the awesome gift. :)

    0
  76. 276

    Happy birthday!I love you ,smashing magazine!

    0
  77. 277

    Congrats :-) Keep Growing

    0
  78. 278

    amazing, thanks a lot, and happy b.day :)

    0
  79. 279

    Happy 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.

    0
  80. 280

    Happy 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.

    0
  81. 281

    Happy Birthday Smashing magazine, You given me alot…

    0
  82. 282

    Happy Birthday!! :)

    You should publish such ebooks more often. Great work.. way to go!!!

    0
  83. 283

    Happy Birthday!

    Hope to see more GORGEOUSLY-SMASHING pubs from you guys!
    Keep it up! ^o^/

    0
  84. 284

    Happy Birthday Smashing Mag!! My nr1 source of inspiration and info.
    Thanks for the awesome e-book.

    Keep up the good work!

    0
  85. 285

    Happy 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 :-)

    0
  86. 286

    Dear 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 :)

    0
  87. 287

    Wish you a very Happy birthday Smashing Magazine ………………. love all your articles on web designing……………. Keep it up………. :)

    0
  88. 288

    Please +1 for greek itunes store !

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  89. 289

    Happy 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!

    0
  90. 290

    Happy birthday!

    i hope its oki if i reblog this

    0
  91. 291

    Happy Birthday, Smashing Magazine & the Smashers! ;-)

    +1
  92. 292

    Happy Birthday, Smashing Magazine!
    Keep inspiring!
    Love all your content!

    0
  93. 294

    Best wishes! Your service is awesome and a tons of thanks for the tremendous work!

    0
  94. 295

    Thank you, Smashing Magazine!

    0
  95. 296

    Happy smashing birthday !

    0
  96. 297

    Happy B’day to Smashing Magazine ! Thanks for the e-book.

    0
  97. 298

    Felicidades!!!, you rock, many thanks for this present, you are the best :)

    0
  98. 299

    i dont know whats wrong with that itunes link – is that working?

    0
  99. 300

    Happy Birthday Smashing Magazine!

    0
  100. 301

    Happy 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!

    0

  1. 1

    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

    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 :)

    +7
  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.

    +5
  4. 4

    Happy birthday!!!

    Continue with the good work!!

    Congratulations!

    +4
  5. 5

    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
  6. 6

    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

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

    +2
  9. 9

    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

    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

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

    +2
  14. 14

    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
  15. 15

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

    +2
  16. 16

    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
  17. 17

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

    +2
  18. 18

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

    +2
  19. 19

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

    +1
  20. 20

    best site ever. :) happy anniversary SM!

    +1
  21. 21

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

    +1
  22. 22

    HpB THX SM

    +1
  23. 23

    naice :)

    +1
  24. 24

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

    +1
  25. 25

    Many many happy birthday :)

    Fantastic website.

    +1
  26. 26

    Awesh Shrivasava

    September 8th, 2011 3:38 am

    Happy Birthday

    +1
  27. 27

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

    +1
  28. 28

    Happy Birthday and thanks for the book :)

    +1
  29. 29

    Five Anniversary! :) We wait for 10th!

    +1
  30. 30

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

    +1

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