Resources

Useful Web Design and Development Links

To be a great web designer/developer, you need to be on top of accessibility issues, browser bugs and quirks, color theory, CSS, DHTML, image processing, information architecture, JavaScript, search engine optimization, typography, usability, W3C standards... and a whole lot more. But you can't be a master of everything -- sometimes, you just need a little help.

That's where these sites come in. We've compiled sites in a number of categories to make your job easier. If you have some more suggestions of helpful sites for web designers, just let us know.

Accessibility

Bobby
Bobby is a great web-based tool that analyzes web pages and tests them for their accessibility to people with disabilities (based on both the W3C's guidelines and Section 508).
Dive into Accessibility
Designed for weblog creators -- but applicable to almost any web designer -- this site illustrates 30 easy principles to make your site more accessible.
Section 508
Section 508 requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. Learn more about the government's guidelines here.
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
The W3C's guidelines for web accessibility.

Image Archives

Who knows how many hours every web designer spends searching for that perfect image for their project? Hopefully these sites will help reduce that time.

JavaScript

Peter Paul Koch's JavaScript Section
A great site where you can not only find scripts to cut and paste in your own site, but read great explanations so that you actually understand how those scripts work. Scary, huh?

Online "Magazines" and Portals

A List Apart
"From pixels to prose, from code to content." Indeed, you'll find articles on everything from building a PHP style sheet switcher to incorporating your web business.
Digital Web
Articles, columns, interviews, and reviews published weekly on monthly topics that in the past have included user-centered design, searching, accessiblity, CSS, and more.
Webmonkey
One of the longest-running sites for web developers. Don't miss their cornucopia of tutorials; great for learning HTML, CSS, DHTML, XML, SMIL, and a ton of other acronyms.
Web Page Design for Designers
Designers, Joe Gillespie speaks your language. His site is dedicated to graphic design and the creative aspects of web design.
Zeldman.com
Probably no better site on the web for the latest information and smart thinking in the world of web design. But don't tell him we said that.

Web Standards and Validation

Web Standards Project
Fighting for freedom, justice, and web standards.
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
The W3C sets the standards and specifications (HTML and CSS, for instance) that serve as the foundations for the Web.
W3C HTML Validator
Check your pages to see that they meet the W3C's published HTML/XHTML standards.
W3C CSS Validator
Just like the HTML validator, except that it checks the validity of your CSS. Sweet!

Web Design Firms

Astra Web Design Company
Professional web design and web development, internet marketing and promotional services, corporate identity and 3D modeling.

Related Education Sites

Computer and Web design Schools and Colleges
Directory of schools and colleges offering courses and training in a variety of IT fields such as web design, networking and Microsoft MCSE and A+ certification.
Design Schools Directory
The number one stop on the internet for filmmaking, video production, and design related education.
Fashion Design Schools and Colleges
Search for fashion design schools and colleges in your region with this easy to use site.
Accredited Online Masters Degrees & Programs
Find the distance learning school of your choice with this directory of accredited online masters degrees and programs.
Directory of MBA Distance Learning Programs
Directory of MBA Distance Learning Programs; find the right distance MBA with this easy to use site.
On-line Colleges and Courses - College Degrees On-LineDirectory of colleges with on-line degrees & courses; includes separate college listings for Bachelors, Masters & MBA programs.
Baking, Pastry, & Chef Schools - How to Become a Chef
Directory of baking schools, pastry chef schools & chef schools.
Graphic Design Schools - Programs - Courses & Colleges
Information on graphic design schools, programs, and colleges. Search by geographical area, or by school name, for graphic design programs near you.
Directory of Technical Colleges & Vocational Tech Schools
Use this directory of technical and vocational schools to find that perfect school for you.
Directory of Masters Degrees & Graduate Classes in Education
Directory of masters degrees and graduate classes in education; featuring both online and campus attended courses.
Photography Schools and Colleges
Find a photography school or college near you with this easy to use, state by state listing of schools offering photography degrees and courses.
Interior Design Schools and Colleges
Find interior design schools and colleges in your area with this easy to use site.
College and University Search - Degree and College Searches Online
Directory of both academic colleges and trade and technical-vocational schools.
Atlanta Georgia Area Colleges and Technical Schools
Directory of colleges and technical schools in the Atlanta Georgia area, with both academic and technical listings.
Boston Massachusetts Area Colleges and Technical-Vocational Schools
Directory of colleges and technical-vocational schools in the Boston Massachusetts area, with both academic and technical-vocational listings.
Colleges in California - Undergraduate or Graduate - Vocational or Academic - Technical & Trade Schools
Directory of both academic colleges and trade and technical-vocational schools in California. Includes separate listings for Northern and Southern California and the cities of Los Angeles, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay area.
Colleges in Chicago Illinois - Undergraduate or Graduate - Vocational or Academic - Technical & Trade Schools
Directory of both academic colleges and trade and technical-vocational schools in the Chicago, Illinois area.
Colleges in Florida - Undergraduate or Graduate - Vocational or Academic - Technical & Trade Schools
Directory of both academic colleges and trade and technical-vocational schools in Florida. Includes separate listings for Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami.
New York & New Jersey Technical Colleges & Vocational Trade Schools
Directory of technical colleges and vocational trade schools in New York & New Jersey; includes design & business schools.
Colleges in Pennsylvania - Undergraduate or Graduate - Vocational or Academic - Technical & Trade Schools
Directory of both academic colleges and trade and technical-vocational schools in Pennsylvania, including listings for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Colleges in Texas - Undergraduate or Graduate - Vocational or Academic - Technical & Trade Schools
Directory of both academic colleges and trade and technical-vocational schools in Texas. Includes separate listings for Houston, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth.