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Looking for Web Design Courses (Flash, PHP, MySQL)

davecuse

davecuse

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 20, 2004
419
0
NYC
So here's my situation, I'm ready to quit my job and take some classes focused on what I really want to be doing. I've got a pretty good understanding of CSS, xhtml, accessibility standards and that whole bit. Now I want to learn how to do more, better.

I have a broad understanding of Flash, but I'd like to take some classes and learn how to do this a little better. I really want to be able to construct an entire interactive site, from the backend (again I know a little about PHP and MySQL), to the full interactive front end. Being a bit of a perfectionist I think it's important to be able to control every aspect. I've done a pretty good job learning on my own thus far, but I want someone to teach me, and hopefully make some connections.

Ideally these classes would be in the city, new york that is. Does anyone have any recommendations on any good/great schools?
 
davecuse said:
So here's my situation, I'm ready to quit my job and take some classes focused on what I really want to be doing. I've got a pretty good understanding of CSS, xhtml, accessibility standards and that whole bit. Now I want to learn how to do more, better.

I have a broad understanding of Flash, but I'd like to take some classes and learn how to do this a little better. I really want to be able to construct an entire interactive site, from the backend (again I know a little about PHP and MySQL), to the full interactive front end. Being a bit of a perfectionist I think it's important to be able to control every aspect. I've done a pretty good job learning on my own thus far, but I want someone to teach me, and hopefully make some connections.

Ideally these classes would be in the city, new york that is. Does anyone have any recommendations on any good/great schools?
Click to expand...


Just as a note, very few web designers construct both front end and back end themselves.
 
JLS said:
Just as a note, very few web designers construct both front end and back end themselves.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Most places that require one dev to work out both are very small companies that want to run very large websites.

Not that it isn't good to be a perfectionist (God knows I am..) but many times the person that can write an excellent backend isn't (meaning either "doesn't have" or "doesn't want to tackle") the creative talent neccessary to do the real graphic design - and vice versa.

Many places will also have a backend already in place (any SQL will do, according to some admins) that the aren't willing to change, though. In this case, having that knowledge will certainly help you create more flexible interfaces.

In any case, I haven't really answered the question either. Sorry. But good on ya for your ambition, I hope you find the school you're looking for.
 
I understand that it may be overkill, but these are all things that I would like to learn for myself. Regardless if it's needed.
 
Sometimes a course isn't all that necessary. Any good book on the subject should provide you with enough to gain more knowledge that will help you.

Friends Of ED has always proven to me to work well.

After going through the books, a little more work on your own making a site to show your expertise for a portfolio is all you need.

But if you're looking for certification, that won't help.

D
 
Thanks for all the resources, I guess I just have an idea in my head that some classroom time would be really beneficial as a supplement to learning this on my own. If anyone knows of a school that would offer this in the NYC area I'm all ears.
 
Google is your friend....

I came across this page that lists a bunch of schools in New York.

I tend to agree with the other posters that you can learn most of the "useful" stuff on your own, but to get your resume read, you might need the certificate.

It's up to you.

M
 
I got certified a couple of years ago and it is a good thing. You get to learn the new trends of the industry as well as productive tips and advanced problem solving with HTML and JavaScript coding that you can't get from a book or video. It's nice to have an instructor that can explain and rectify a problem on the spot rather than spending five hours on Yahoo trying to find an answer.

Having said all of that, I did find out that I learned a lot more in my private study time with the video (online) courses above. For $30.00 (I think) per month it's worth it.
 
winwintoo said:
I came across this page that lists a bunch of schools in New York.

I tend to agree with the other posters that you can learn most of the "useful" stuff on your own, but to get your resume read, you might need the certificate.

It's up to you.

M
Click to expand...

I did search on Google as well, and found some links. I was hoping for some first hand perpective on the matter, which is why I turned to helpful folks here.
 
It might be good, but they never even declared a DOC TYPE in their code so that may say something about their teaching methods.

Before you make a decision and drop three thousand dollars, I would contact a couple of New Media companys by e-mail and ask them what a trendy web design school is in the area. They shouldn't have any problem giving you some advice.
 
Their code look messy to me. I wouldn't want them instructing me if that is the way the present themselves. Just my opinion.
 
I personally say books will help you out with the PHP and SQL. I would say the All in One book "Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL, and Apache" is a great way to start learning it all, comes with a CD with everything on it, and how to do it on Linux or Windows. I personally do it all for my own site. You learn all of it, so you have a good understanding of what goes on. So if you are just a person who does the front end, you know the limitations on the backend.

What I believe you should learn and even setup your desktop with Apache and MySQL. Then you can work on your CSS, PHP, Java Scripts, and a little ASP (because some companies use it instead of something like PHP) all from on your desktop.
 
I had not looked at the source of the page before, and agreed it is pretty sloppy, inexcuseably so as a "source of information" for this matter in particular... The more I think about this the more I want to focus on working in Flash, which is what I'm having the most trouble finding a solution for. I've got some time to kill, and I was really hoping that someone here had done the same, and could just tell me "This one is great!" I'd sign up in a second.
 
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