Where to Train? 3

[stephmaya]

Hi there,

I live in Toronto, Canada. Am seeking advice on course study for Web Design. I want to learn how to build and design web pages. I have a three year Graphic Design diploma and would like to expand my creatively in to the web. I have researched various options and the outcome is that the one night a week courses at the local college does not seem very detailed. I have also researched CDI, for example who offers a 7 month course, however it is full time and very expensive. (I work during the day). I am now considering taking online courses ? Any advise would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Stephanie

 

[mwolf00]

You don't need a 7 month course for web design unless you are trying to learn a whole lot more than HTML and CSS (like javascript and server-side coding like ColdFusion/ASP/PHP). What do you want to be able to do?

Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build better and bigger idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning. - Rick Cook (No, I'm not Rick)

 

[stephmaya]

Thanks for getting back to me, what I want is to be able to build web sites that look somewhat professional. I want to be able to help in maintaining sites and having creative ideas to put toward it.(as currently I work for a government agency that is re-designing their website) I want to be able to build a site that has a search engines/drop downs/flash etc as I eventually want to start my own doggie daycare and want to be able to create my own site. My problem is I had a very bad experience with web design, went to a really horrible school, was taught nothing and wasted a lot of money. It put me off web design actually but I want to give it another chance and learn in an environment that I can really learn and feel comfortable without struggling for answers. Whe

http://www I

think that's it!
Thank you!
Steph

 

[mwolf00]

The school I went to read a book to us and added little. Most of what I've learned, I've learned from doing and trying and TekTips is a huge part of that. Even when you don't have a question read others' questions and see if you can develop a solution.

Many training facilities are downright crooked and give you very little. The community college should be better.

Good luck.

Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build better and bigger idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning. - Rick Cook (No, I'm not Rick)

 

[stephmaya]

Thanks for your advice. I agree on the "crooks" bit, They took 5 Grand outta my pocket and left me with empty knowledge.

 

[petey]

My experience also is that web design courses tend to be worthless. I'd have better spend the week I wasted using the $1,700 to buy a new laptop or some software like Photoshop and learning things on my own. (which I ended up doing anyway) The problem is there's a two to four year lag between course curriculum and what's actually regarded as best practice in the field now.

Also, in professional circles the term "Web Designer" is often eschewed in favor of the term "Information Architect" or something similar. A good site to visit regarding this topic is

http://boxesandarrows.com/.

Maybe if you ask around for schools offering training in Information Architecture rather than Web Design you might find some higher quality options. Hope this helps.

http://www.drpeterjones.com/

News and views of some obscure guy

 

[petey]

Here's a link from a popular web design blog about a digital media program at a Canadian college that seems to have it's stuff together, albeit on the other end of Canada:

http://www.mezzoblue.com/archives/2004/03/26/standardsbas/

http://www.drpeterjones.com/

News and views of some obscure guy

 

[glenmac]

I'm a graduate of the ITAS Course mentioned in Peteys' post. I can't say enough about the course. Jim Rutherford and team are excelent instructors. The ITAS Course has a very high rating in the IT world. It is one of the few that SAIT (Southern Albeta Institute of Technology) recognizes as a prerequesit for enrolling in their IT BA program.

Glen

http://lantzvillecomputers.ca