Calling All Web Designers

The miracle of the century is taking place this weekend as bit by bit I have completed Christmas card after Christmas card! I’ve got only 7 left, and by gum they’ll be done by the end of the day. The funny thing about it is that there’s a bit of glitter on them, so Jack has been prancing about like a sparkly fairy after being dusted by glitter fall-out. Sometimes I worry for him. It’s probably a good thing he doesn’t go to school, because the other kids would absolutely make fun of him.

Anyway, speaking of the internet, (hee) I’m putting out a request for all web designers who may stumble this way. I’d really like to learn more about this whole internet thing, since it doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon. (And they said it was only a fad… pshaw) I’d really like to learn how to do more with my page than just change the colors and layout—if I’m going to run a webpage, I feel as though I should probably learn something a little more than the layman’s definitions of CSS, RSS, HTML, etc. I’ve been looking into online courses, but it seems as though they cost a pretty penny, not to mention quite a few of them don’t necessarily focus on web design which is all I’m interested at this point. So, I thought to myself, is it really that hard to just get a book and teach myself? I’m not completely computer illiterate, so is that something you’d recommend? How did you learn web design? School? Classes? Self taught? A friend? If you taught yourself, how did you go about that? Some kind of Computers for Dummies book? Will I need to invest in some kind of program for my computer?

See how pathetic this is? I know nothing! I beg of you, HELP! And for now, it’s back to Christmas cards, and perhaps I’ll try a new brand of mascara on Jack and a lovely soft blusher. Won’t he look fine!

Comments

[shani]

Ask Daniel. I'd tell you to let Trey help you, but he tends to make things much more complicated than they need to be!

[Jass]

Putting mascara on Jack?! ROFL talk about cruelty to animals. ;-)

When it comes to web design, I took few classes back in school, they were really cool. So how about advanced HTML/XML and throw in some Flash/Fireworks/Photoshop and voila. ;-)

Dreamweaver helps a whole lot if you want to be lazy but have really cool HTML. =P

[Adrian Johnson]

On the web design issue. I'm a self taught guy. Everything you ever wanted to know about html and css is at w3c.org. For graphics I use Ulead Photo impact it 1/4 the price of photoshop. Sometimes you can get a previous version on ebay for about $20.00. Just make sure it's not a demo. It works Just Fine. If you want to be self taught your best friend should be "View page source" See something cool. See what the code looks like. You can email me with questions or stop by ewealth.com say Adrian sent you. Sorry for the plug but I'm logged in there more then I check my email:-).

[Steph.]

I'm no web designer, but I love your new holiday festive look. And, I admire you for taking on the holidallies. I was considering it, but just can't commit to blogging every day especially during the hectic holidays!

[harmony]

Hi -- saw your site through Holidailies. I actually have a certificate in web technology, but when I blank out and can't remember how to code anymore (happens more and more the older I get, right?) I go to W3Schools.com. They have tutorials for HTML, CSS, and RSS, as well as tons of other web scripting languages and lots of resources. I recommend it. Not only can you search for specific tags, but you can do tutorials and quizzes to test your knowledge.

[Not the Boyfriend]

I wouldn't waste your time on it, i'm still banking on the internet being a fad that will fade away in a year or so... right?

[RisibleGirl]

I'm all self taught. When I see a web site (or even parts) that I like, I look at the source and find the css file.

I experiment (and swear a lot) until I get the look I was going for.

I have a 'playground' where I do all of my experimenting. I don't actually update my site until the playground version is perfect.

I do a LOT of cheating. I can't write code from scratch, but I can read it and know what *most* things do. So I copy code I like and tweak it. All of it learned by trial and error.

I only started learning how to do this a year ago. I look at some of my earlier designs and cringe!

[Tara]

I learned most of what I know from http://www.lissaexplains.com/
and it was all free. And now I write code from scratch. Try it.

[M]

You can also go to htmldog.com and webmonkey for help with coding... also free!