[kriskross]

hi,

i am interested in learning web designing. can you please tell me the names of books and please tell me what i have to exactly learn to create high end websites. what is the approximate time period needed to excel. i am beginner

[thehuskybear]

Well, there are a number of books and resources on the web to help you learn web design. I suggest you start with a good long book that focuses specifically on HTML as well as books or manuals on any software you will be using (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Fireworks, Flash, Etc) . Get to know the basics.. learn about design concepts and how people interact with websites. Learn about being web compliant and how to use XHTML. Also, I recommend a lot of study into CSS and how to use it PROPERLY.

Then, start studying a browser-side programming language such as javascript. Get familiar with Javascript.... you will probably use it alot.

After you are more than confident with HTML, XHTML, CSS and Javascript, move on a to a server side programming language such as PHP or ASP.... PHP was by far one of the easiest programming languages I learned... definitly do some research on OOP (Object Oriented Programming). You may decide to go another route and learn how to design flash... but I would recommend learning a good server side programming language first.

There are many many good books out there. I would say look at your local library first.. they usually have a decent selection. Then if they dont have any or if the ones they have arnt helping, hit up a book store. Look for books that are specific... (ie look for books that cover one subject: CSS or Javascript). I would stray away from books that say they can "teach you everything about web design". They will be to general.. however that might be a good first book...I think now a days though, there are more than enough resources online to help you learn.

For example:

htmlforums.com
w3schools.com
webmonkey.com

I would say, depending on your learning style, you could be creating decent web sites in several months. Dont expect to become a professional in a few days or even a few months. I have been at it for 6 years and I consider myself an amature. there is way to much learn... hell there was a lot to learn when I started, but now there is so much out there, no one can know or be good at it all... so just take small steps and take the time to become good at what you do... dont get carried away with all the new fads... they will be gone before you understand them!

NOTE: If you are like me, you may learn by doing rather than reading.. it that is the case, read a little bit and then play around with what youve read... some books will even do a tutorial type setup so you can follow along...

Good luck

Sam

[coleygirl1041]

It would be impossible to say how quick you will learn. It all depends on how fast you are at learning, how much knowledge you already have and how hard you try.

If you are serious about it, you should start out learning the basics of HTML. If you decide to use a program to make your pages (i.e. Dreamweaver), read a book about that program.

Once you have mastered basic HTML and basic web pages, you can move onto different languages such as PHP, JAVA, C# or whatever else floats your boat.

It all starts with research. Read, read, read. Books can take you anywhere.

[kriskross]

thanks a lot guys, will start with you suggested

[exgeek]

Another thing to do is just spend a lot of time looking at websites so you can really develop a sense of good design. There are some great resources out there like templatemonster which is just a site full of web design templates. You can use things like this to get a feel for how site navigation can be rendered and how to balance graphic and text elements. It's like any other creative medium, it requires a lot of practice to get the hang of it. When you look at sites, really pay attention to what makes them attractive or usable. When you see ugly sites think about what it is that makes them unattractive. Being able to approach web design with this analytical approach will really help you when you being doing your own design work.

[warrensway]

lynda.com is great for this type of stuff you can learn a good about of material for a little monthly fee is really is extraordinary