Hey all.

 

I have done one website and am working on a second. In terms of html I am happy. CSS I'm fine with although maybe need to practice some more advanced stuff.

 

I have to admit to liking really simple stuff, but when I look around I see SO much that looks so much better than mine and don't really know where to begin.

 

My first website is www.fishercarpentry.co.uk

I haven't figured out how to do a snapshot of my second....when I do I will post it.

I am not asking you to look to review...but so you can see what I can do and suggest how I can jazz up my skills.

 

I have the free trial of graphic converter atm and may consider buying. Money is an issue although am not sure I could technically cope with gimp.

 

Thanks guys!

My first comment is don't put links showing your code is valid, when it's not.

 

I think working on your typography will help you massively. IMO use real xhtml pages and css in a browser to play with text properties (don't use PS/Gimp or even a preview view of code). Line height, letter spacing all that stuff really makes a font stand out.

To be honest, I wouldn't worry about learning the programs just yet. They're just tools to create a design with, but the problem with that site is the design itself isn't up to much. I'd work on learning basics of design, principles and all that stuff first. A course would be good (but research first, there are a lot of design courses run by cowboys out there), or there are lots of articles on places like alistapart that can help.

Last time I validated my code, it was fine MESA when I last tested it . The only thing that changed was adding php includes. Will check them again tho lol.

 

I do use browsers for checking it rather than anything else.

 

Can you elaborate on what you mean by typography please? Sorry - not got into the jargon

 

BUMFLUFF (like the name lol) - thanks. I have been looking into courses but have found they all seem to be based on dreamweaver. To your knowledge is this the case all round?

 

Thanks guys I appreciate your input!

An amazing site for basic and advanced tutorials is at W3schools.

It is all code based, and does not refer to any programs. It has great quizzes along the way too, and areas where you can type in code to be vallidated.

 

Let me know if that helps!

 

Brendan

An amazing site for basic and advanced tutorials is at W3schools.

It is all code based, and does not refer to any programs. It has great quizzes along the way too, and areas where you can type in code to be vallidated.

 

Let me know if that helps!

 

Brendan

 

Cheers Brendan lol have done most of those and I agree they are good!

 

And I do the quizzes which makes me feel like I know stuff.....

 

I think it's my php includes which have affected the validity. Have corrected my css too.

 

Any ideas anyone how php affects validity? I have to change the ext. names just to validate, then I change them back.

I think if they're focussing on Dreamweaver, it's a web design course. I was thinking more of general design without focussing on one particular aspect because then you'd be learning the basic principles (type, colour, composition etc) rather than focussing on one particular medium (web). If there's no general design courses, maybe consider an introductory graphic design course, as long as they don't have too much focus on production of print work

Typography is the art and techniques of arranging type, type design, and modifying type - basically words, making them look good. Fonts in our case.