What are the best resources and starting points for learning web design, and interface design in general? To provide some context, I'm a 17-year-old who recently graduated from art school, and I'm interested in pursuing web design and design as my career.
Right off the bat, I encountered an issue: the rapid obsolescence of literature in this field. What may be considered cutting-edge today might be irrelevant tomorrow.
So, if you have any recommendations, particularly for up-to-date tutorials or relevant literature, I would greatly appreciate it. Feel free to share any helpful links or websites that come to mind.
As someone interested in pursuing web design and interface design, there are plenty of resources available to get you started. Here are a few recommendations:
Online tutorials and courses: Websites like Codecademy, Udemy, and Coursera offer a wide range of web design courses that cover both the basics and advanced topics. These platforms often have up-to-date content to keep pace with industry trends.
YouTube tutorials: YouTube is a treasure trove of web design tutorials. Channels like The Net Ninja, Traversy Media, and DesignCourse offer a wealth of free videos that cover various aspects of web design and interface design.
Online communities and forums: Joining online communities and forums dedicated to web design can be a great way to learn from experienced designers and stay updated on the latest trends. Websites like Stack Exchange and Reddit have active communities where you can ask questions, seek feedback, and engage in discussions.
Design blogs and websites: Subscribe to design blogs and websites like Smashing Magazine, A List Apart, and UX Collective. These platforms regularly publish articles, case studies, and tutorials that can help you enhance your design skills and stay current with industry best practices.
Books: While you mentioned the obsolescence of literature, there are still some timeless books that cover design principles and fundamentals which remain relevant. Some classics include "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug and "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman. Keep in mind that it's important to supplement book learning with practical experience and staying updated through other resources.
In addition to these resources, it's essential to practice and build your own portfolio. Experiment with different design tools and frameworks like Adobe XD, Figma, Sketch, and Bootstrap. Don't be afraid to take on personal projects or contribute to open-source projects to gain hands-on experience.
Here are a few more resources that can be helpful for learning web design and interface design:
Online design communities: Websites like Dribbble and Behance are great places to explore and find inspiration. These platforms showcase design work from professionals around the world and can help you understand current design trends.
Design podcasts: Listening to design podcasts can be both educational and entertaining. Some popular design podcasts include "Design Matters" with Debbie Millman, "The Futur" with Chris Do, and "UX Podcast" by Per Axbom and James Royal-Lawson. These podcasts often feature interviews with industry experts and cover a wide range of design topics.
Online design challenges: Participating in design challenges can be a fun way to practice your skills and get feedback from the design community. Websites like Daily UI and Designercize provide daily or weekly design prompts to help you sharpen your design thinking and execution.
Web design conferences: Attending web design conferences, either in-person or virtually, can provide valuable insights and networking opportunities. Events like An Event Apart, SmashingConf, and UX Fest feature talks and workshops led by industry leaders. Many conferences also offer recordings of their sessions, which can be accessed online.
Online design tools: Familiarize yourself with popular design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Figma, and InVision. These tools are widely used in the industry and acquiring proficiency with them will be beneficial for your career.
Online design courses: Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, and Treehouse offer a wide range of web design courses taught by industry professionals. These courses often include project-based learning to help you apply what you've learned.
CodePen: CodePen is an online community for front-end developers and designers. It's a great resource for exploring and sharing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code snippets. You can find inspiration, learn from others' code, and experiment with your own designs.
Design systems: Familiarize yourself with design systems, which are collections of reusable UI components and guidelines. Websites like Material Design by Google and Design System Repo offer dоcumentation and resources for creating and implementing design systems.
Usability testing tools: Learn about usability testing tools like UserTesting, Hotjar, and Maze. These tools allow you to gather user feedback and insights on your designs, helping you identify areas for improvement and make data-informed design decisions.
Web design podcasts: Apart from general design podcasts, there are also podcasts specifically focused on web design. Some notable ones include "Responsive Web Design Podcast" by Karen McGrane and Ethan Marcotte, and "ShopTalk Show" with Chris Coyier and Dave Rupert. These podcasts delve into the technical aspects of web design, hosting discussions and interviews with experts in the field.
Web design conferences and meetups: Attend local web design meetups or web design conferences to connect with like-minded individuals and industry professionals. These events often feature talks, workshops, and networking opportunities that can enhance your learning journey.
Web design challenges and competitions: Participating in web design challenges and competitions can provide a platform to showcase your skills and gain recognition. Websites like Awwwards and CSS Design Awards host design competitions that can be great for building your portfolio and getting exposure.
Remember to balance learning with hands-on practice. As you develop your skills, start building your own projects and creating a portfolio to showcase your work. Practice design thinking, user research, and usability testing to create effective and user-friendly designs.
Lastly, don't be afraid to reach out to professionals in the field for mentorship or guidance. Many designers are open to sharing their knowledge and experiences. Networking and connecting with others who share your passion can provide valuable opportunities for growth and learning.
To avoid repeating the same mistakes made by artists and printers transitioning to web design, as well as to gain a comprehensive understanding of both web and interface design, I highly recommend the following books, listed in the order I personally found them most valuable. I've gone through a substantial amount of literature, but these titles stand out:
1. "Web Design or Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug.
2. "Web Design" by Jacob Nielsen.
3. "The Design of Familiar Things" by Donald Norman.
4. "Interface" by Jeff Raskin.
5. "Mental Hospital in the Hands of Patients" by Alan Cooper.
I must say that I haven't come across a thorough tutorial that covers the entire process of creating a layout from A to Z. Occasionally, you may stumble upon articles on websites like Smashing Magazine or on Tech Designer platforms, but they don't provide a complete guide.
If you want to stay up-to-date with current trends, I would suggest analyzing and replicating the designs of renowned web designers (such as those from Revizen, for instance), but avoid including them in your portfolio. Additionally, make sure to explore everything you can find about modular grids and regularly visit platforms like Dribbble for inspiration.
To begin with, in the field of web design, your knowledge won't contribute much.
Additionally, web design involves less creativity compared to many other professions (especially when working for a company rather than oneself). In my opinion, the job of an electrician can be even more intriguing.
Furthermore, you must still learn at least HTML and CSS to have a grasp of what you're doing. Eventually, you'll also have to acquire skills in drawing illustrations, working with vectors, and creating 3D designs.
Moreover, you've chosen a highly unappreciated specialization in our country.
Last but not least, this line of work is absolutely ungrateful.
In your youth and naivety, it may appear to be an extremely fascinating job bursting with creativity, but that's only true when you do it for personal pleasure. However, once you enter a company where you'll be expected to meet tight deadlines and maintain high standards, you'll find yourself struggling to incorporate edits and turning your heartfelt efforts into utter rubbish. Furthermore, you'll be paid a mere $400 for all that, completely flipping your world upside down.
While there's still time, opt for a practical profession. You can become a dentist, surveyor, car mechanic, fraser, or choose any other occupation where you'll receive decent compensation. Perhaps my post will initially evoke negative feelings from you, but eventually, you'll realize that I shared my thoughts with good intentions. I'm currently going through the same hardships myself. Best of luck ;)
Dive into freeCodeCamp for hands-on tutorials, Smashing Magazine for cutting-edge articles, and MDN Web Docs for evergreen HTML/CSS/JS mastery. Avoid outdated books, focus on platforms like Figma for prototyping and breakpoints testing. Stay agile with A Book Apart's responsive tomes - they're timeless.
For career traction, build a portfolio on GitHub.