Where to get some solid web design knowledge??

They have: 3 posts

Joined: Sep 2004

Hi there,

I'm a BASIC web designer who has knocked up a few sites for family and friends using Dreamweaver. Believe me, nothing snazzy or the like. But where can I go to gain better skills when it comes to web design? I'm starting an Art & Design degree in September, but I'd really like to get some basic skills under my belt. Things like how can I get logo's to nestle up in the top corner without seeing the background around the edge of the image, how can I make sure my pages are always central and when should I use frames, CCS and other stuff like that.

In short, where can I get educated??

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Hang around here? Seriously, problems like this come up all the time. You'll learn a lot by reading the forums. If you have a specific question be sure to ask.

Looking at code is another good way to learn. If you see something you like, view source and try to find out how they did it.

It is true that there is a shortage of good web design sites now. Back when I started in the 90s there were tons of sites covering this sort of basic stuff but they have generally moved on to more advance stuff or died out altogether.

He has: 490 posts

Joined: May 2005

Its like Johnny Cashes Cadillac, you learn a piece at a time. Smiling

They have: 34 posts

Joined: May 2006

Buy & Read good book about webdesign for beginers. Knowledge - is a power!

He has: 1,380 posts

Joined: Feb 2002

I would recommend browing sitepoint.com and alistapart.com

That's where I honed my chops, in addition to here (and still do)

They have: 10 posts

Joined: May 2006

hi i'm new here but I thought I would throw my favorite site out there. I learned a lot from http://www.htmlgoodies.com when I was learning. Cool

He has: 377 posts

Joined: May 2005

playing around with dreamweaver or frontpage or whatever you're using to design the webpages will let you know of its new features, or use the help files.

Roo's picture

She has: 840 posts

Joined: Apr 1999

Yes, hang around here. You'll learn tons! You can ask questions and get answers and help!

Also use The W3C Schools!

When writing code get to know the HTML Validator, and The CSS Validator. You will have love-hate relationship with them, but they really are your best frineds.

Practice, practice, practice, pratcie!! Design and code sites for practice, make stuff up! Use Lorem Ipsum for 'duummy text' to save yourself from typing a lot of content since you are just practicing. Do this again, and again, and again!

Make up these sites and then post them in the Critqe forum here at TWF!

>Sorry for so many typos...my son was yapping in my ear<

Roo

Roo's picture

She has: 840 posts

Joined: Apr 1999

Oh, and when you run into an issue (and you will), use the Forum search. Sometimes it's something that's been covered, and may find an answer faster than waiting for a reply.

I once ran into a couple of IE browser bugs and it took me over a week to find the solution, so I posted them here so that others would not be pulling thier hair out like I did!

Roo

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