The Best Way to Learn Web Design
Last Modifed: 10-Oct-2009 04:29 PM
With so much information on the web, how does an aspiring designer determine the best way to learn web design? In my opinion it is by project based web design training. 
Simply stated, web design can be broken down into three useful, but distinctly different approaches:
- web design tutorials
- traditional academic instruction
- and project based web design training.
Web design tutorials are essential for learning specific outcomes, while teaching process and techniques for web design. For example, if you are a web designer wanting to learn how to create a hover link or how to create a particular graphic, these individual tutorials can be quite useful. The missing element is that you only work on individual pieces of the puzzle rather than piecing it all together.
Another consideration is the more academic approach to instruction. This is similar to the instruction you might find in a college course, where you are guided through a specific web design application like Dreamweaver or Photoshop. This end result of this type of learning is a thorough understanding of a particular piece of software and how it relates to web design.
In my opinion, the best way to learn web design is project based training. It is really a comprehensive training approach to learning web design because it tends to include web design tutorials along with application specific training. More importantly, you get to learn by doing, in other words you actually build a website and are faced with challenges and decisions – you know, its where the rubber meets the road. In the end, you’ve got to remember that web design is both an art and science so there are many different ways to succeed as a web designer. With project based web design training, you go step by step through the process of design, with your final product being a fully functional website. The concepts and techniques are all linked together to complete the final project.
I guess that’s why I feel like our philosophy at the Web Design Classroom is so valuable. I teach the art, science and nuances of web design. Another thing to mention is that our training is delivered by video, its like having your own instructor led course right in front of you. Its great to stop, rewind, replay over and over until you’ve got things figured out. Remember repetition is the mother of learning, and this is a training method I use throughout. Our field is always evolving and so are the skills that we are learning and teaching. Equally important are the concepts, techniques, trends and usability factors.
I invite you to check out the Web Design Classroom and give it a go. Heck I’m even offering a Free Web Design Essentials Mini Course, sign up via email and receive 10 lessons that will knock your socks off. Have fun and happy designing!