What web design tools and frameworks do you need to learn?

Coming from a graphic design background, you might be overwhelmed by the terminologies and properties, but once you get the basic understanding of HTML CSS and JavaScript, the dots will started to connect and you might get familiarized with the coding languages, frameworks and libraries.

Understanding the basics for web development helps immensely when designing and shipping UIs. You don't need to know how to perfectly code, but knowing how to read it makes it easier to understand how proper web platforms are built, thus improving your perception of what can be done and consequently of your products. It is also really useful to understand the logic processes making the code run: HTML helps understanding how to structure your designs, CSS everything about style and how to format, and JavaScript is crucial to understand the difference between static pages and interactive ones.

In addition to mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, explore JavaScript libraries like React, Angular, or Vue.js for dynamic web development. Responsive design with CSS media queries ensures cross-device compatibility. Learn version control with Git for efficient collaboration. Stay updated with emerging tech like WebAssembly and PWAs. Sharpen debugging and problem-solving skills to create seamless web experiences.

The 1st 3lines says it all "**These are the core languages of web design, and you need to master them to create any kind of website.** " rest are like reading the documentation and applying it.

I've found it very useful to have a preset group of classes that I always reuse, so I keep this CSS file with things like: .flex-row .flex-row.space-between .flex-column.top .grid .grid.two-col And so on.. so now it has become intuitive, when I'm coding I just write the same classes in every project and copy the base styles into the style.css file.

It's important to note that these frameworks, while helpful, can bloat stylesheets with unused CSS. When utilising frameworks it's important to include only the utilities you use to keep your production ready code as slim as possible. You should also take the time to learn vanilla CSS so you understand what the utility classes are doing or risk being locked into a framework because of the lack of understanding.

When you started to learn and creating websites and pages you might find it's harder to write all the code from scratch, but there some awesome dudes who did all the heavy lifting for you, all you have to do is add a line of code start using the components in your pages or your websites, but make sure you are using the best practices to keep your code clean.

Bootstrap and Tailwind CSS are two popular front-end frameworks in the world of web development, each with its own approach to building responsive and attractive web interfaces. Imagine Bootstrap as a complete toolkit for web designers and developers. It's like having a well-organized workshop with all the tools you need to build something beautiful. - Bootstrap offers a treasure trove of pre-designed elements like navigation bars, buttons, forms, and cards. You can easily customize and combine these components to create a sleek and consistent design. Tailwind CSS is like a blank canvas where you have complete control over every stroke of your design - Tailwind CSS is known for its utility-first approach.

These are like toolkits that make web design easier. They provide ready-made parts like buttons, forms, and grids so you don't have to start from scratch. Bootstrap is like using pre-designed outfits for your webpage. You pick a style, and it takes care of the details. You can use it with any HTML editor. Tailwind is more like a DIY toolkit. You get basic parts and add your own style to them. You can use it with any HTML editor or play around with it online using tools like CodePen.

Bootstrap and Tailwind are popular front-end frameworks that expedite the development process. Bootstrap offers a pre-built CSS library with components and layouts, simplifying responsive design. Tailwind, on the other hand, provides utility classes that enable rapid styling without writing custom CSS. Learning these frameworks streamlines the creation of aesthetically pleasing, responsive websites.

While many will tell you that WordPress is old and "no one" uses it anymore, it is the most popular Content Management System by a full magnitude. It represents 43% of all websites and 63% of all known web site platforms. Within the WordPress ecosystem, Elementor is the biggest builder. But in my experience, it impacts performance significantly. Personally, I prefer Gutenberg, and if you look at the most recent releases of WordPress, they are working toward the promise of Full Site Editing to make WYSIWYG a reality, while still remaining performant. Likely this is to combat the emergence of Web Builder like Webflow, Squarespace, etc.

Absolutely! WordPress and Elementor make a dynamic duo for web development. While WordPress serves as a robust CMS, Elementor takes the design process to the next level with its intuitive visual editor. This combination not only caters to beginners but also provides flexibility for seasoned developers. The extensive library of themes and plugins amplifies the customization possibilities, ensuring a tailored website for diverse needs. It's worth noting that the SEO-friendly nature of WordPress and the responsive design capabilities of Elementor contribute significantly to creating websites that are not only visually appealing but also perform well across various devices and search engines.

wordPress is your content management sidekick, keeping all your web content organized and accessible. It's so user-friendly even your grandma could run a blog! i disagree with manual coding it's like trying to build a skyscraper with toothpicks. now, Elementor, that's where the magic happens! Drag-and-drop design is like playing with digital Lego it's creative fun without the sore feet. an example I've seen is people creating everything from sleek business sites to quirky cat blogs. It's so versatile; you'd think it's a shape-shifting superhero! And the customization options with themes and plugins? It's like having a toolbox full of web design wizardry. ??♂?

WordPress and Elementor are like a dynamic duo for creating websites without needing to be a coding expert. WordPress is a simple system that helps you manage and publish your web content easily. Then, there's Elementor, a cool plugin for WordPress. It lets you design and change your web pages visually, using drag-and-drop tools. Together, you can make all sorts of websites – blogs, portfolios, online stores, or business sites. You can also personalize your site with different looks and extra features using themes and plugins. It's a fantastic combo for making your online space just the way you want, without the coding hassle!

It's function of drag and drop makes it very easy to create beautiful WordPress websites in the easiest way. No coding needed

Figma and Adobe XD have become standards in the industry as more UI designers and developers collaborate over design assets as they build the website or app. We personally prefer Figma as the tool has better functions of prototypes and exporting assets. However we need to be proficient in both as different designers supply in their preferred tool. Unfortunately some web designs are still supplied in Photoshop or Illustrator which makes it much harder to work efficiently and ensure accuracy.

Figma boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface that welcomes both beginners and seasoned designers. Its minimalistic design enables users to focus on their creative process without getting lost in a cluttered interface

Ideas first, tools second. Use your penceil, draw the idea or wireframe on the paper, when u got a initial plan, use the tools finish it.

Being in web design for 20 years now, I have started from Adobe Photoshop to Illustrator to XD, and now I'm learning that XD will be discontinued -- Figma is now the latest standard for web design mockups and prototypes, and apparently does a better job in developer handoffs.

Personally I like XD, it just feels natural. Yet that could be due to me using Adobe Suite for over a decade. Sadly, it's no longer being updated by Adobe. ?? I'd describe XD as Photoshop and Illustrator having a baby. I really do like the tool. Figma is great too. Lightweight and full featured. It also works with Relume.io and Webflow very nicely. I've used it for book cover design, mobile, web, and just fiddling around. It's really easy to iterate with. So if you like lightweight apps, or AI generated sitemaps and wireframes, exported to Figma, designed up, then exported to Webflow. Then Figma is DEFINITELY the way to go.

Git and Github are the two most important tools for any software develope specially when you are working on a project with a team. I always keep my projects on Github , during my internship at MRS Technologies we worked on an IOT based project and we used git for version controlling. Whenever developer wanted to add new feature he created a new branch and then worked on that. After that a merge request was created.

I worked with my team of software developers working on a iOS mobile app. We used Git. During the development, everyone created a new branch to work on a specific feature or fix, made changes without affecting the main codebase. Then committed their changes with meaningful comments to maintain a clear history. Developers pushed their branches to GitHub where all the codes updated were merged to check so there is no issue with any developer's updated code. Other developers reviewed and suggested improvements if needed in the code through pull requests. GitHub is a central repository, that ensurees that all the developers had access to the latest code.

Git is a version control system essential for tracking changes in code and collaborating with teams. GitHub is a platform built around Git, facilitating code hosting, collaboration, and project management. Proficiency in Git and GitHub ensures organized development processes, version tracking, and seamless teamwork, crucial for professional web design projects.

Git is a version control system used for tracking changes in code. GitHub is a web-based platform that hosts Git repositories and provides collaboration features, making it easier to work on web design projects with a team.

Git is a distributed version control system used to track changes in code and collaborate on software development projects. GitHub is a web-based platform that hosts Git repositories and provides additional collaboration features such as issue tracking and pull requests. Learning Git and GitHub is essential for web designers and developers to manage codebase versions, coordinate with team members, and contribute to open-source projects. It promotes efficient workflow management and ensures the integrity and security of project files.

SEO and Analytics was, unfortunately, one of the last skills I learned as a WordPress developer. Having expert knowledge and staying up to date with all the emerging trends and changes is vital to a website's success. When I finally dove into the education of professional SEO analytic services for my projects, my clients were so much more happy! I am not talking basic stuff, guys! Advanced SEO strategies + research will create success for your clients. And if they are successful, so are you. I use a lot of tools. I want to add a new tool I started using a couple of years ago that I love, UbberSuggest. It is great for so many reasons. A website shouldn't just be cool looking or beautiful... it needs to be smart too. Foundation is everything.

Ahrefs is another fantastic SEO tool. It is an all-in-one tool with many features that can be used to monitor websites SEO progress with insights into many aspects of website optimisation.

Some tips: + Improve site speed by minifying code, optimizing images, and eliminating render-blocking resources. + Build high-quality backlinks from niche websites by creating relevant, useful content as a contributor. + Set up Google Analytics goals to track micro and macro conversions that matter to your business. + Analyze organic keyword reports in GA to optimize existing content and uncover new topic opportunities.

Understanding SEO (Search Engine Optimization) principles is vital for ensuring websites rank well in search engine results. Knowledge of SEO techniques such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building enhances a website's visibility and traffic. Additionally, familiarity with analytics tools like Google Analytics enables designers to track website performance, user behavior, and conversion rates, providing insights for optimization.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) involves optimizing websites to improve their visibility and ranking in search engine results. Analytics tools like Google Analytics help track website traffic, user behavior, and other metrics to inform design decisions.

All the tools mentioned here are indeed useful, but another important point to consider when building a website is empathy. You need to understand who your website is intended for—its users. You must be able to design a website that caters to the needs and preferences of your target audience. Empathy itself is not a traditional framework; it serves as a fundamental principle applicable in various fields. Incorporate empathy into your design process by employing personas, conducting user research, creating user stories, utilizing journey mapping and empathy mapping techniques, conducting usability testing, embracing iterative design, ensuring accessibility, establishing feedback loops, and fostering empathy within your design team.

Understanding the website goals, the business objectives and who the users are is an important strategic approach before you start design. A simple content framework you can use: 1) What problem are you solving 2) Why does it matter, and 3) What action do you want the visitor to take With this framework and applying visual hierarchy and page layout techniques, you can create a more engaging and impactful website.

I will go a bit against a few points in this article. You don't need to learn tools like figma, or tailwind, or even WordPress unless you or your employer will be using them. Having a solid understanding of the core languages being used, the project workflow, and some form of version control (like Git). Additionally, it is very beneficial to know how SEO and accessibility tools work. I think it is good to have recommendations for what people should learn, but I don't think it is great to tell people they need to know all of these way more situational things if they may not ever need them.

Learn what you can about page speed and performance optimization early by getting familiar with tools like Page Speed Insights and Lighthouse. This will allow you to evaluate new platforms more easily, as many companies are happy to shortcut optimization to build quickly and appeal to the web designer without consideration for the impact on the end user.

Something to consider when building websites is copywriting. Brush up on those skills creatively and technically! Great writing impresses clients and bosses alike. It can be the difference between a conversion or an abandoned visitor! Great writing is part of an SEO strategy. It can guide visitors subconsciously to where you want them to go, letting them feel completely in control. Plus, when you support the copywriting content, the site gets built and launched much faster. It is a win-win. Most people don't think they are great writers (who is for real these days?!), but it is about committing yourself to learning. It really helps the whole team. Even if you have a writing team, knowing their language will bring it all together like magic!