Tell me more ×
Webmasters Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for pro webmasters. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite
1

As a web designer, how should I go about learning javascript and jquery? I would like to avoid duplicating my efforts and focus on whats important.

I am very much confused and need a place to start.

share|improve this question
watch these vids. chat.stackoverflow.com/rooms/17/conversation/… all I can say.... – rlemon May 14 '12 at 15:18
the videos posted in the link above.. if viewed top to bottom, should give you a good start in javascript. – rlemon May 14 '12 at 15:21
ProTip: if you are rooted in your 'designers don't need to know Javascript' mentality... then learn some basics... prototype your site using jQuery - then pass it to a developer to write properly with your design/UI – rlemon May 14 '12 at 15:22
@rlemon I am a junior web designer aspiring to be an USER INTERFACE DESIGNER, Am I going on right way? – jitendra111 May 14 '12 at 15:32
will you be sending developers mockups or will you be developing the production site? Designers have no place writing production code... really.. and developers generally arn't the best designers or UX guys (albeit there are a lot of people who are both). If you choose to only be the 'designer' then you can skimp by with copy and pasting plugins and such... but don't expect people to like the code you write... – rlemon May 14 '12 at 15:57

closed as not constructive by John Conde♦ May 18 '12 at 16:24

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

The problem with front end is you need to know a little bit of everything!

If you have strong HTML and CSS skills already then forget jQuery for now, grab one of the learn Javascript in 21 days books, and really get to know it.

You won't have much success if you try and do everything at once.

share|improve this answer
1  
+1 to "Forget jQuery" for now at least... once you understand some of the basics of Javascript language and how it interacts with the DOM via the DOM API then jQuery should be much easier to understand and you'll be able to debug much faster (imo). – rlemon May 14 '12 at 15:19
@toomanyairmiles still, what would one expect for a web designer to know about javascript and/or jquery? – jitendra111 May 14 '12 at 15:20
DOM API ... this is how Javascript interacts with the page. – rlemon May 14 '12 at 15:20
@jitendra111 depends where you see your career going really, I would say if you want to be a web designer then you should learn javascript full stop - it's the basis of everything web designers do these days. – toomanyairmiles May 14 '12 at 15:22
@ toomanyairmiles thank you. I am a junior web designer aspiring to be an USER INTERFACE DESIGNER, Am I going on right way? – jitendra111 May 14 '12 at 15:30
show 3 more comments
up vote 1 down vote

http://tutsplus.com/course/30-days-to-learn-jquery/

Learn this especially for webdesign things. But u have to learn javascript too, its needed sometimes. Also if u only do webDesign

share|improve this answer
well considering jQuery is a Javascript library... it is Always needed. – rlemon May 14 '12 at 15:22
"especially for webdesign" - effects, css-change-thingy and all the other little things – Denny Mueller May 14 '12 at 15:23
I know, I am just dropping little tid-bits for the OP. :) – rlemon May 14 '12 at 15:30
up vote 0 down vote

I am in the same situation. So far I have been trying to learn both at the same time but gave up with Query for a while to focus on Javascript. It is really tough as I come from a design background and haven't done a Computer Science degree or know any other programming languages. I can't stomach the video tutorials...something about over excited guys called tod who are 'super excited' to teach me drives me insane. Anyways, what I have found useful is:

I found that repeating the starter tutorials on codeacademy over and over again started to get it into my head. Then when I read the books I felt less lost.

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.