Until a few years ago it was common place for Web Designers to code their layouts using standard HTML Tables only, or alternatively using Tables that were styled with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). If you’re like me, you’ve probably used either one of these techniques or continue too today.
Although, these days when developing a Web Design, it considered the industry standard to create a layout only using CSS Style-sheets in-conjunction with DIV elements. Recently I made the ‘switch’ to this standard and being an experienced Web Designer, it felt odd to in some ways to ‘start again’ in terms of learning how to develop websites.
If you’re looking to learn CSS, or like myself, evolve your method of coding to include this standard, then I have compiled a list of CSS Resources that I used regularly throughout my learning and have aided me in continuing to develop my CSS expertise.
When I first attempted to learn CSS, I was fumbling around using absolute CSS positioning only for a colleague of mine to point how easy and useful it is to code your CSS Layouts using ‘Floats’. Floatutorial will teach you not only the basics on this technique, but everything you would every want to know about the wonderful world of ‘Floating’.
If you’re looking to brush up on your HTML, XHTML or CSS Knowledge, or literally learn a little more about any element of CSS you are curious about, including styling links and the SEO-paradise unordered/ul lists, then W3 Schools is a perfect resource. Make those steps towards getting on the path to web standards enlightenment, of course, I’m talking about gaining the web designers badge of honor, getting your website W3C Validated.
CSS Zen Garden is a website that demonstrates the sheer beauty of what is achievable through CSS. How it works is Zen Garden provides its visitors with its own HTML & CSS code and then invites Web Designers to come up with there own layout for the website using their personal CSS and Graphics expertise. CSS Zen Garden hosts these designs and allows you to flick through and admire them. Check it out!
Last but certainly not least, CSS Tricks is a handy blog that updates on all of the cool little, as you guessed it, tricks and special effects that can be achieved within CSS. One for the wannabe CSS experts, this blog will teach you how to improve upon your current skills while at the same time showing you interesting examples of what others have achieved within their own websites.
If you haven’t already seen it, our very own James and Nick recently made a video discussing all of the features in the upcoming W3C CSS3 specification, including how to achieve Rounded corners using CSS. Also, if you’re interested in improving upon your own personal web development standards, check out their newest video on Web Usability Tips.
That’s all for now!
