Future Learning - School is never out. . .

Once you've finished the quarter, you don't get to stop learning. The web work field, whether design, production, programming, or project management-oriented, demands ongoing learning. Here are a few fun things to keep in mind:

Moving Forward

Keep Learning!

• Web Careers & Classes
• Continue SCCC trainings: Web Authoring II, Typography for the Web, Intro to Javascript, Theory of Web Design, Usability, Adobe CS4 programs (Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash/Actionscript, etc.), and later, working with a web team, capstone, web career strategies, programming, databases, etc.)
• If you are on your own, check out Lynda Online Training - $25/month for unlimited tutorials
• For Adobe program free trainings, check out CS4 Video Tutorials
• Free Web Design Tutorials: Entheos, W3C School, SmartWebby
• Work on problem solving.

Get some experience!

• Do probono work for nonprofits: VolunteerSolutions, VolunteerMatch, Idealist.org, Serve.gov
• Help your local community center, senior center, or other neighborhood small businesses and social groups who need web assistance
• Check out CampusPoint for internships and student/recent grad jobs
• Check out bit work at Odesk, Guru

Meet your peers!

• Meetup.com: graphic design, web design
• Adobe user groups: Photoshop, Flash,
• Networking: Refresh Seattle, Seattle Lunch 2.0, Ignite
• SPGA Seattle

Fresh Ideas!

• 27 Best Photoshop Web Layout Tutes
• Entheos Resources
• Web Design Library
• WebsiteTips.com
• Web Designer Wall
• A List Apart
• Perishable Press
• Layers Magazine
• Smashing Magazine
• The WebWorkerDaily
• Cool Home Pages
• Design Directory

Think Ahead!

• Tying it all together
• Freelancers Union
• Creative Salaries - AIGA
• Creative Agreements
• Self Promotion: Google Profile, LinkedIn
• Be smart about your online presence - safe, professional, reputation-oriented.

Good Articles!

• The Employable Web Designer
• Layoffs are increasing demand for tech freelancers
• A New Take on Job Hunt 101
• 13 Reasons You Will Never Get a Job (unless you change your methods!)
• LinkedIn Bible: Everything You Need to Know About the Social Network for Professionals
• Give Something Back: Online Volunteer Opportunities
• Work-For-Hire
• The Disposable Worker
• Negotiating the Freelance Market

Must Have Books!

• Ace the IT Job Interview! by Paula Moreira, Publisher: McGraw-Hill, Edition: Jan. 2008, Format: Paperback, ISBN-10: 0071495789, ISBN-13: 9780071495783. Overall, slanted for IT/tech/programming
• Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, Graphic Artists Guild, Edition: Sept. 2007, Format: Paperback, ISBN-10: 0932102131, ISBN-13: 978-0932102133. Overall, slanted for design, creative, combo
• The Design of Sites, by Douglas K. van Duyne, James A. Landay, and Jason I. Hong, Format: Paperback - Dec 24, 2006, # ISBN-10: 0131345559 # ISBN-13: 978-0131345553.

What about HTML 5.0, XHTML 2.0, and CSS 3.0?

As of April 2010, these are still in development mode; the W3C html validator only does experimental validation for HTML 5, and the W3C CSS validator is still focused on CSS 2.1. Internet Explorer 9 should provide some support for HTML 5 and CSS3 when it launches - possibly in late 2010. Other current version browsers (IE, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Chrome, etc.) only partly and/or experimentally support them.

These are also not being taught in existing SCCCC curriculum. They are not likely to be recognized/used by most local employers for a minimum of 2-3 years. They are mainly in the experimentation and leading-edge stage, where freelance designers and small studios are pushing the envelope and sharing tutorials.

Find out more!

• HTML5 and XHTML2
• HTML5 versus XHTML2 options- they aren't exactly the same and no standard has been firmly set yet
• HTML5 Resources
• Coding Now
• CSS 3.0

L.J. Bothell Class Resources

• Designer Tool Kit
• HowTos - Videos
• Project Workflow
• Steps to Build a Web Page
• Troubleshooting
• Inline Style Rules
• SEO Basics
• Copyright and Usage
• Tips, Tricks, & Hacks
• Useful Skills Links

BACK TO TOP