Web Design Basics

I thought I would do a post on the course I did last week at the University of Middlesex Summer School.

As we all do, I wanted to learn more about digital, and not just the social media stuff but the actual foundations of what is online. Way back when I was a spring chicken and first starting out I decided that the best way to understand and manage artwork was to learn how to do it, so I put myself on a Quark, Illustrator and Photoshop course. Now, my skills are very basic but at least I understand what needs to be done and how, makes my job easier. I figured it was the same for web.

On this course I learned how to code HTML and how CSS works. The course was just what I needed, the room was 50/50 split with young kids (twentysomethings) and older - the oldest bloke looked like he was in his sixties, good for him I thought!

The first two and a half days was pure HTML, headings, breaks, links etc, then we got onto CSS - all the while actually doing things, practicing. The last 2 days was spent learning more things - rollover banners, animated gifs, colours (or colors as the code was done by Americans), and buiding our websites. I am pleased to say I am still working on mine, I am not changing careers but I may well do it as a hobby, something to do on a rainy day to keep up my knowledge.

It is only run once a year and there is only one class so look out for next years, sign up.

Hyper Island Master Class

This week I was lucky enough to attend the three day Hyper Island Master Class, and I tell you it was everything I expected it to be. I had been looking into doing this privately but when i joined AMV earlier this year they said they would send me on this course. Nice one.
At the end of each day my head felt like it was going to explode (in a good way) from all the stuff we learnt.

The main thing I took from the course is relevance. Which you would expect to be common sense.

Personally I would highly recommend these sessions to anyone in Project Management/Creative/Planning/Account Management/Design - any facet of the agency.

Thanks Hyper Island, you have given me new tools for my next ventures.

IPA training

Not sure how many of you saw this post about the IPA Creative services training but if you are interested get in touch with the kids at the IPA so you don't miss out.

TRAIN YOUR WAY TO THE TOP

Roll up, roll up at the one-stop-shop for your future fame and fortune!
Get involved, get trained and get a better job! It's that easy ;-)

From the 24th September the IPA will be running the Creative Services training programme and there's something for pretty much everyone.

Our business is changing by the day and these short courses will help make you future-proof, ready for anything, the multi-channel super-producer we all hear so much about.

Each session is a bite-size three hours long and costs just £150 per person (it's cheaper if you come along to all the sesions, btw).

Here's a taste of what's on offer, so have a look, get badgering your CSD/HR for a few quid to make you a more productive member of staff and then deluge Anna Beeton at the IPA with your requests for places and more info (annab@ipa.co.uk).


- Online marketing explained (inc platforms; agency structure; jargon-busting; the best of the web)
- Producing online communication (inc timings; costs; how to monetise production)
- Becoming a better project manager (inc latest trends in PM; agency finance/business;campaign management software)
- Really understanding production (inc asset management software;decoupling; procurement; media co relations)
- Managing relationships, conflict resolution and negotiation

- An introduction to Creative Services for junior CS and Acc Managers (inc agency structure; process; jargon-busting; best practice; making stuff happen)