Websites are architectural masterpieces crafted to showcase the beauty of man’s imaginative prowess.
For those who desire to be among the few who enjoy crafting these unique designs, website design is the path they should take.
However, many are deterred by the reality of the monetary commitments involved in this prospect and, as such, allow their desires and passions to die before they see the light of day.
Today’s internet has been gracious enough to host many free resources to aid anyone trying out any new path, from a novice to a master.
How to Learn Website Design for Free
Building Foundational Principles on Software
One of the basics of website design is the software it operates with.
Websites need software to give them the intuitive touch and user-friendly interface that help users interact cognitively and hitch-free throughout their internet surfing time.
Canva Design School is a website that gives excellent opportunities through free courses on several design fundamentals, ranging from colour coding to typography to design composition.
These ideas become principles that act as the building blocks of your website design.
Familiarisation with most of the effective website design tools is the next call point. There are many options available to choose from, as they all have a set operating standard.
- GIMP:
GIMP is free, powerful, and an alternative to Photoshop. It offers a wide variety of tools used in image editing and manipulation.
- Inkscape:
Inkscape operates as a giant when it comes to vector graphics. It is free software that gives users the platform to create logos, icons and several other designs that befit a website.
- Figma:
Figma offers a good and free collaborative platform and workspace. It is mostly used to create and form prototypes and website wireframes.
- CodePen:
This is an online code editor that allows you to experiment with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in real-time.
It is one of the best coding platforms that allows you to practice your immediate coding skills in real time and see the visual outputs instantly.
Free Learning Resources to Pick From
Every corner of the internet has a free learning path engrafted into it.
These free learning modules are all encapsulated with the right knowledge to help anyone excel in their website design endeavour. The following are platforms to start with:
- YouTube:
YouTube is riddled with free website design channels and videos. Some channels include, “The Futur,” “Brad Traversy,” and “FreeCodeCamp.”.
YouTube has a well-defined training outline for beginners and users with a little level of knowledge on everything that borders on design.
- Khan Academy:
Khan Academy has a “Computer Programming” course that breaks down the knowledge of HTML and CSS. Beginners in website design can learn the basics of website design from Khan Academy.
- Get FreeCodeCamp:
FreeCodeCamp is another choice for people who are just starting with website building. This gives you a full web development course on how to create websites.
People who are just starting can choose how fast they want to learn. Aside from that, they can work on real projects and get qualified.
- MDN, or Mozilla Developer Network.
This is a complete resource that Mozilla has made available. It has detailed documentation and classes on web technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
It has everything you need to know about technology in one place.
- W3Schools
W3Schools is another great place to learn about coding for the web.
W3Schools is a free resource that gives interactive tutorials, including references, and code examples that help beginners learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Building your portfolio after learning.
One of the best ways to land your first job or hit big clients is to compile and show to the public your best jobs and projects.
As you grow, put together your best website designs into a portfolio that will be accessible to potential clients.
This will help them see your design strengths and how you apply your technical skills to ideas.
It also shows your problem-solving method. Here are some tips for making a stellar portfolio:
- Prioritize quality:
Choose only the best designs that show your dutiful application of design principles and your strengths.
- Tell a Story:
Every project has a narrative. In your portfolio, explain how you came up with the design based on the challenge you had at hand and how you were able to solve it with your design.
- Keep your designs highly interactive:
Always make sure that your designs are easily relatable. Keep your designs top-notch yet easy to understand, comprehend and navigate.
Conclusion
Website design needs consistent practice to become a master.
It requires dedication to learning and determination to put what has been learned into practice consistently over some time.
With dedication and an avalanche of free resources, one can grow from a beginner in website design to a master in their field.