Learn CSS or find another field

CSS is here to stay. Designers who refuse to learn CSS will be at a distinct disadvantage finding work. A simple search of skills required in webdesign positions include CSS among the most critical.

CSS Today (Sping 2014)

CSS versus jQuery vs JavaScript

  1. CSS hands downs is the fastest of these three
  2. CSS is easier than jQuery and JavaScript
  3. Browser support for CSS before CSS3 was poor
    1. jQuery and JavaScript were the only viable options
  4. The gold standard for webdesigners today is to be fluent in CSS3 and HTML5
  5. Sources and exploration for understanding CSS/jQuery/Javascript contemporary practices
    1. sitepoint.com (2014 - a brief historical look)
    2. stackoverflow.com (2012)
    3. programmers.stackexchange.com (2013 - newbie questions/professionals answers about "what should I learn"

TOP CSS3 Benefits

  1. Flash is pretty much dead (Apple ended support)
  2. Cleaner/faster than jQuery
    1. http://css3.bradshawenterprises.com/blog/jquery-vs-css3-transitions/
  3. Version CSS3 is more stable than CSS2 because todays (spring 2014) browsers support CSS3 better than ever before
  4. CSS3 works well with HTML5 (becoming standard)
  5. CSS works with far fewer issues in IE (about time and NB in the United States)
  6. Chances are CSS is not new to a web designer today (the steepest part of the learning curve has been climbed)

TOP CSS (any version) Benefits

  1. standards compliant webdesign
  2. broad changes can be made on the fly
  3. global = consistency & unity
  4. replaces dated tables, framesets and IFrames
    1. SEO compliance issue
  5. Outdated concepts
    1. excellent integration with Flash and actionscripts

TOP CSS Challenges

  1. global = visually repetitive
  2. Internet Explorer bugs/issues (becoming less and less)
  3. CSS3 module release while debugging 2 (older issue)
  4. misconception about steep learning curve (becoming less and less of an issue as todays new designers learn html and css simultaneously)

Let's find out, what the hot skills are in the real world - today

Students from my Spring 2014 class may replace their project #4 with this excercise. Go to each of the 3 sites below and answer the questions in the list (search for web designer). Hand written or printed is fine. Just turn it in with Project #4 alternative as the title and your name

  1. search for web designer in the jobs section
    1. on a piece of paper list the following for the first ten jobs
      1. what does the company do
        1. is it a small, medium or large company
      2. what are the technical skills REQUIRED
      3. what are the technical skills DESIRED
      4. what are the soft skills REQUIRED
      5. what are the soft skills DESIRED
      6. Is the hiring body realistic in their want and need list (note: IT positions often include discrepancies and inconsistencies about how the job is described and what it is)