If you’re looking for resources to learn about web design and development, you can’t go wrong with Envato Elements and Coursera. Depending on your interests, you can also look for books such as Designing with Typography, a book I’ve reviewed here. I also recommend MDN and Coursera. But first, what’s the best way to learn about web design and development?
Envato Elements
Envato Elements is a curated library of over 5,000 high-quality design elements. You can download any one of these design assets for free or subscribe to get unlimited downloads. If you plan on creating your own website, Envato Elements is a great place to start. The free plan is just enough to get started, but if you want to be able to download as many design assets as possible, the paid plan is a great choice.
It is also worth noting that Envato Elements is not just for designers. It offers a creative subscription for developers as well. A freelance web designer has to consider many aspects of creating a website, and they need to put in the time to learn the coding. However, this can lead to a less than stellar design. Using Envato Elements as a resource will allow you to take advantage of all of these benefits in a very short period of time.
Coursera
If you’re looking for a full-stack web development course, consider signing up for Coursera. This course covers everything from the fundamentals of HTML to Javascript. It includes full access and a Certificate of completion. While this course is not for beginners, it can help you gain the knowledge you need to create professional-quality websites. Here are some course highlights to consider:
Start your online course with a foundational course in web development from the University of California, Davis. This course takes 22 hours to complete, but it doesn’t specialize. It teaches you how to build a website from scratch, with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It also has a 4.7 rating, which is a good indicator of quality. It may not be the most advanced course, but it will get you started.
Once you have completed the foundational course, you can start working on your project. You can create an interactive website by integrating Javascript. This free course is taught by some of the nation’s best boot camps and includes a hands-on project. It is approximately 50 hours long, so you can expect to learn the basics of web design and development at a reasonable pace. You can expect to finish it in six months. However, be prepared to study a good amount. CS 101 has numerous concepts to learn, including the use of tools, SQL databases, and security. The course also covers server-side development and deployment.
MDN
You will find a wealth of information on MDN Web Design & Development. There are links to both web and product documentation. About 95% of traffic goes to the web docs. However, the search results can sometimes be confusing, as CSS Grid versus XUL Grid is not always clear. To help you navigate the information, MDN will split the navigation between web and product documentation. In the future, this will be more organized and easier to use.
The MDN learning area is specifically designed for complete beginners to the world of web development. It will take you from “beginner” to “comfortable” in just a few short weeks. Once you’ve completed the MDN learning area, you can move on to other intermediate resources, which assume some prior knowledge. This is one way to ensure you’re on the right track to achieving your goals in web design and development.
Book Review – Designing with Typography
If you’re interested in learning about web typography, then I recommend reading Designing with Typography by Jason Ross. Published in 1993, it’s a concise guide to the fundamentals of web typography. It also includes a resource list. The author emphasizes the importance of balance and context when selecting typography, a fundamental part of web design. Designing with typography is also about composition, and utilizing the right type and color combinations to create harmony.
If you’re new to web design, this book is perfect for you. It’s full-color, easy-to-understand, and will teach you everything you need to know to get started. It’s also perfect for beginners and professionals of all levels, from experienced developers to newbies. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced professional, this book is the perfect guide to a rewarding career in web design.
