[Hidden-tech] advice about graphic design/web instruction

[Bronwen Hodgkinson - cdeVision]

Adam -
I completely agree that it is tough to find worth-while classes in web
design in this area, but there are a few (you mentioned you've taught one :)

For "learning the ropes" of graphic design, the certificate program at HCC,
run by Bev Wodicka, is excellent. I'd highly recommend it. But like
anything, you get out of it what you put into it.

In graphic design, and *especially* web design, you must be highly motivated
to keep up with current practices yourself & be up to the challenge of the
constant changes in this industry. If you don't, your skills get old &
outdated pretty quickly.

The online sources you cited are excellent, and must-reads for web
designers. I'd add: www.zeldman.com (I initially taught myself html via
"view source" of zeldman), www.mezzoblue.com, www.simplebits.com  &
www.meyerweb.com to the list. There are so many fantastic resources & great
people to learn from online. 

Bronwen Hodgkinson
www.cdeVision.com

p.s. I did a csszengarden design myself a while back:
http://www.csszengarden.com/?cssfile=/176/176.css

-----Original Message-----
From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Adam
Connor
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 7:17 PM
To: Daniel Guidera
Cc: Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] advice about graphic design/web instruction

   ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
   ** You too can help the group
   ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
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Hi Daniel,
Unfortunately, I can't point you toward any worth-while classes.  All 
the ones I've checked out myself (though its been a while) focused on 
basic or outdated practices and neglected some of the more important things.

I can however say that almost all of my knowledge comes form being self 
taught and keeping in touch with many other developers and designers, 
and that there are many online resources you can use to learn at your 
own pace.  I'll list some of them at the end of this email.

Also, I'd be happy to share with you all I know about the world of web 
design.  My particular specialties lie in User Centered Design, 
usability, Information Architecture, standards based client-side 
development, and graphic design.  I've been freelancing for about 2 
years now, but have been a professional web designer for about six (I'm 
26), and I'm currently the lead designer and user-experience architect 
for MassMutual's producer portal.

So if you'd like any help, feel free to email me.  I'll answer whatever 
questions I can, and if you'd like to get together in front of a 
computer and go over anything, I'm sure we can find some time.

Lastly, onto the online resources:

A List Apart - www.alistapart.com - A List Apart is published by Happy 
Cog, its essentially an e-zine on the topics of web design, development, 
and content.
456 Berea Street - www.456bereastreet - Roger Johansson specializes in 
standards, accessibility, and usability, three areas of web design that 
sadly, still seem to get overlooked by a lot of professionals
Particletree - www.particletree.com - Particletree tends to focus more 
on development than design, but good stuff none-the-less
UX Magazine - www.uxmag.com - This is a great resource on everything 
that can effect the user experience online, really great writing by 
really great contributors
Mark Boulton - www.markboulton.co.uk - Mark has written some excellent 
articles in his blog on subjects like web typography and designing 
online with a grid.  Definitely check out his "Simple Steps" series
CSS Zen Garden - www.csszengarden.com - I've taught a handful of web 
design classes myself (due to the lack I mentioned before) and I've 
always used this to show the students.  Its more inspirational than a 
learning tool, as it demonstrates the strength of CSS and helps many 
people realize why coding layouts in tables belongs in museums next to 
the tyrannosaurus exhibit.
W3 Schools - www.w3schools.com - a great way to get a handle on HTML 
basics and familiarize yourself with the HTML 4.01 spec, the XHTML spec, 
and the DOMs
SitePoint - www.sitepoint.com - a great resource that runs the gamut, 
web design, server-side, client-side, content, etc.  The books they 
publish tend to be pretty good too.

I'm going to stop there for now.  There are literally hundreds more, but 
it would take me to long to list them all.  Like I wrote earlier, let me 
know if I can help you in any way.  There should be no secrets in the 
world of web design - at least thats how I feel anyway.

Adam Connor
Little Green Toaster
www.littlegreentoaster.com


Daniel Guidera wrote:
>    ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
>    ** You too can help the group
>    ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>   
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Hi,
>
> I might be in a situation where I'll have to make a mid-life career 
> "redefinition," and I'm wondering if I could solicit some direction, 
> information and advice.
>
> I've been in illustration and informational graphic design for many 
> years, concentration almost exclusively in Adobe Illustrator and 
> Photoshop. I've taught myself rudimentary "head-above-water" 
> competence in InDesign and Dreamweaver, and dabbled a little in Flash.
>
> When I look at what employers are requiring for graphic arts 
> positions, I realize that my skill set is woefully fallow for today's 
> market. Hence, were/when my current position goes away, I'm thinking 
> that schooling/retraining will be necessary.
>
> I'd like to get out in front of the process and begin exploring 
> options now. I'd be greatly appreciative for any information about 
> graphic arts (web/print) educational resources in the Northampton 
> area. I'd be particularly interested in semester-length classes, as 
> opposed to one-shot seminars.
>
> Thanks so much for your feedback. I'm so impressed by the knowledge 
> and thoughtfulness that characterizes the conversation on this board.
>
> best,
>
> Daniel Guidera
> www.danielguidera.com
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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