Sensei Zachariah Says...

Just 8 short months ago, I was hired at United Bank Card for web design. There was just one problem, I had no idea how to design things on the web outside of dropping a damn flash movie into dreamweaver and uploading it. And for a big corporation like this, that just wasn't going to cut it. So I had to learn the ins and outs of web design and I had to do it fast. There's no better way to learn about something than to dive in ass first. I looked all over the web, with some help from friends and co-workers, and found a few sites that were a huge-tastic help, and I'm going to share these sites with you now in a pastel rainbow type effect.


1. www.w3schools.com

- This site was the most helpful as far as learning the basics. Any type of coding that's used on the web (html, xhtml, css, javascript, etc.) can be found there. And each section has tutorials you can play with right there on the site. It couldn't get any better than if it took me out on a date and whispered sweet sweet nothings in my ear. I also keep this site handy whenever I run into something I don't know. It truly is one of the best sites for learning the trade there is, and it's free. Need I say more?


2. www.lynda.com

- When I first started at UBC there was another web designer here, Emily (who's since moved on to bigger and better things) and she showed me this site. You have to pay a subscription fee for this site but she had a company subscription through UBC. This site is full of video tutorials which really helps a lot if you're one of those people who needs to be actually shown how to do something before it sticks. But, it's sort of lacking in the fact you have to up your subscription to be able to download the files for the tutorials so you can actually follow along with the videos. I was stuck just spectating. So this site, though helpful, didn't help me as much as others. Though, it may be a different story for you.


3. www.webdesignerwall.com

- This tasty morsel is one of my favorites. This would be more for after you've gotten the hang of actually making sites. It's full of little tutorials, trends, inspiration and gives you a look at what other designers are doing. It's a very interesting site and is really focused on content for people who just love design. Two thumbs up and a wink. (Also, there is www.bestwebgallery.com, which is maintained by the same guy, Nick La)

That's pretty much it on the sites that I visit regularly. These sites usually provide me with whatever I need. And if you can't find what you need at one of these sites, then there's always Google. Either way, I hope these help you because they sure as hell helped me. These sites fill all the fuzzy warm places in my heart. Enjoy!