Contributions by some of the most experienced and talented Flash designers are brought together in this book. It is conceived as a big mosaic, with each piece corresponding to one Flash expert, and covering one specific aspect of design. Broadly speaking, however, four main areas of the book can be identified: interaction, animation, generative design, and learning.

The book is easy to read, and very appealing visually; there are many colors, chaotic page layouts, bits and pieces from design and programming in Flash, and each “master’s” own story or view of the future in design. The book is really about the masters, and not simply about the use of Flash. In every module, the masters use the aspect of design that is presented as an excuse to say something about themselves, to convey their approaches to programming and to design, and to seduce their readers. It is interesting to perceive the person behind the screen, to get to know his or her ideas, and to understand that there is much more to programming than just writing some lines of code.

Some programming techniques are presented, but they are not predominant. The book is not so much a book on how to learn to use Flash, as on what can be done with Flash, when programming in Flash. Examples are abundant, and illustrations and pictures are never refused. Sometimes, specific projects are also presented, as a showcase for the idea or principle being analyzed. The book clearly shows the boundaries between code (the Flash code) and language (in this sense, the outcome, at the level of design), their possible contact point and potential communication, and their impact on the viewer.

This is definitely an unconventional and innovative book on programming and design, but also on art: this is what Flash is used for.