[graflicks]

Hello,

I am a graphic designer who is interested in learning (X)HTML + CSS to expand my knowledge in the web design development industry.
Has anyone else started to learn it, or is already at an advance level?

Would this be an advantage to do this?

It seems to me that could be a great opportunity to blend in the skills of (development and graphics) into 1.

Taking on board this is a good objective, would I be able to learn lots from using Lynda 1.HTML + 2. CSS tutorials.

I would like to hear some feedback from people who have learned coding, what litterature/tutorial sources did you use for your learning curve, how long did it take you (I know; how long is a piece of string. lol) to at least get a very good grasp of coding in general or simply how long did it take you to master it.

Any help, guidance would be really appreciated.

Thanks,

[dedwardp]

I think it will help you, though only so far - HTML is really very easy to pick up, just follow some online tutorials and you'll get the hang of it in no time, this site is probably your best place.

CSS is also pretty easy to get the hang of and once you've gone through the different stages it will come to you very quickly with practice, it isn't complicated. From there you'll be able to put together some very nice websites.

That said, in order to get to the good stuff you'll then need to start looking into PHP and databases etc which is where it can get a bit more tricky, but HTML and CSS is simple enough and a good foundation!

[Katedesign]

I bought myself a book HeadFirst HTML & CSS and worked through it. It's not very difficult to learn to do simple websites and then progress from there.

I didn't think I would like coding being artist/graphic designer but strangely I did. To watch a site look how you want it just because you add a colon or something in the coding/css is a great feeling! And it didn't take me very long to learn HTML or CSS. That said I haven't had much of a chance to use it much and I should really practise more. . .go for it!

[dot design]

Isn't (and I might be wrong here) tricky to be very good at both ie: coding and design?
Aren't you either one or the other?

[dedwardp]

Originally Posted by dot design

Isn't (and I might be wrong here) tricky to be very good at both ie: coding and design?
Aren't you either one or the other?

I don't think that is necessarily true - someone could be naturally creative and enjoy the design yet still be more than capable of learning how to code.

[dot design]

But doesn't the world of coding change quite rapidly as does design?
To keep a handle on both and produce high quality work in both areas is tricky no?

[graflicks]

Here is an interesting post that broaches the subject of "should a web designer know how to code"

Should Designers Know How to Code? Thoughts From a Developer :: Echo Enduring Blog

[Boss Hog]

Personally if I need a designer I hire a designer, if I need a coder I hire a coder, my experience so far in business has been that I have not found anybody that is good at both....unless it has been an agency with staff.

[bigdave]

I personally dont think a designer should be a coder, lets face it, you'll only end up designing websites that meet your HTML/CSS knowledge set rather than creating somethingcutting edge and letting a coder/developer find a way of making it work.

Having said that, Ive looked at the jobs market recently I can understand why you'd want to be able to read and write code. Almost every advert says "HTML & CSS advantageous".

The phrase Jack of all but master of none comes to mind.

[graflicks]

I agree that it would be quite challenging to master both design and coding at the same time, perhaps the best idea is to learn the basic and have a very good understanding of how coding works as opposed to want to master it. Learning and understanding basic coding in this day in age for a web/graphic designer seems to me like the way forward.