RyanBickett.com | » Improve Your Web Design and Development Skills

Improve Your Web Design and Development Skills

by Ryan on February 20, 2009 at 10:29 AM

As with most pursuits in life, to become successful at web design and development takes time and dedication. It takes time to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, and other web technologies. It takes time to learn the principles of design and how to use software programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create beautiful, creative, and engaging designs. It takes even more time to perfect the skills you have learned and gain the valuable experience that will give you an edge in the marketplace. Luckily, the Internet is full of resources to help you in this pursuit.

A Great Web Design & Development Resource

One great resource is the recently re-branded and re-launched Tutsplus network. Tutsplus is a network of blogs geared towards web design and development professionals and enthusiasts alike. Each site includes a plethora of free tutorials and resources pertaining to its specific niche. In addition to the nice tutorial articles, the discussions and comments that are posted are also a very valuable resource. Here’s a quick breakdown of each of the sites currently in the network.

PSDTUTS

“PSDTUTS is a blog/Photoshop site made to house and showcase some of the best Photoshop tutorials around. We publish tutorials that not only produce great graphics and effects, but explain in a friendly, approachable manner.”

NETTUTS

“NETTUTS is a site aimed at web developers and designers offering tutorials and articles on technologies, skills and techniques to improve how you design and build websites. We cover HTML, CSS, Javascript, CMS’s, PHP and Ruby on Rails.”

VECTORTUTS

“VECTORTUTS is a blog of tutorials, articles, freebies and more on all things vector! We publish tutorials on techniques and effects to make awesome vector graphics in programs like Adobe Illustrator, by authors and writers from all over the industry.”

AUDIOTUTS

“AUDIOTUTS is a blog for musicians, producers and audio junkies! We feature tutorials on the tools and techniques to record, produce, mix and master tracks. We also feature weekly articles for the music obsessive.”

AETUTS

“AETUTS is a site made to house and showcase some of the best After Effects tutorials around. We publish tutorials that not only produce great effects, but explain them in a friendly, approachable manner. We also stock up links to tutorials, articles, presets and plugins from around the web to help you get the most out of After Effects.”

If you are a creative type like me who loves to learn and push your skills further, then I highly recommend you check out the Tutsplus network and its resource sites.