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Best Web Design Classes (In-Person and Online)

The term “web design” operates as an umbrella for a range of professional fields. Gone are the days when the field could be relegated to graphic design and visual appeal.

Today’s websites need to be user-oriented, data-driven, and constantly tested. What’s more, there’s no such thing as a finished website. No matter what industry a business serves, its website needs to constantly reflect its and its consumers’ growth.

Professionals who thrive in data-driven settings, can marry trends with visuals, and love a constant challenge will find success in the field of web design. That said, breaking into the field can prove intimidating. Professionals who already know the web design basics may struggle to determine their next best steps forward. Newcomers may not know how to break the field down and thus may struggle to find the industry or focus that suits them.

That, fortunately, is where today’s swath of online and in-person web design courses come into play. There are dozens of institutions that offer comprehensive, expert-led web design courses that professionals in all fields can participate in. This range of classes allows interested professionals to find a program that suits their schedule, skill set, future interests, and budget.

With that in mind, take a look at some of the best web design courses available to professional students today. 

The 20 Best Web Design Classes

  1. Noble Desktop—Web Design Certificate
  2. Noble Desktop—Intro to UX Design
  3. Google Career Certificates—Google UX Design Professional Certificate
  4. NYC Career Centers—Web Development with HTML and CSS
  5. Codecademy—Introduction to UI and UX Design
  6. General Assembly—Front-end Web Development Course
  7. Udemy—WordPress for Beginners 
  8. Computer Training Source, Inc.—CSS Part 1
  9. Skillcrush—Front-end Development Course
  10. Flatiron—Become a UX/UI Designer
  11. Skillshare—The Basics of Web-Design Layout
  12. Treehouse—Web Design Track
  13. CareerFoundry—Intro to UX Design Course
  14. Udacity—UX Design for Mobile Developers 
  15. FutureLearn—User Experience (UX) Design and Research
  16. The World Wide Web Consortium—HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals
  17. Borough of Manhattan Community College—Introduction to Programming with Java
  18. John Hopkins University—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers
  19. University of London—Responsive website Development and Design
  20. NextGen Bootcamp—UX & UI Design Summer Program NYC (High School) 

#1: Noble Desktop—Web Design Certificate

Whether professionals want to participate in an in-person course or learn more about web design online, Noble Desktop is one of the widest-reaching educational platforms offering web design courses to date. Noble Desktop’s Web Design Certificate offers students the chance to participate in a long-form, in-person or digital web design course that highlights the practice’s fundamentals, latest developments, and professional uses.

Key Information

Noble Desktop specifically makes its Web Design Certificate course available in-person for New York residents. Professionals who can’t make that commute can alternatively participate in the course online. The Web Design Certificate program operates for six weeks at a time when taken full-time and five months when taken part-time. The course specifically teaches students the basics of essential web design coding languages, including JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Figma.

Noble Desktop does not require Web Design Certificate students to come into the course with any pre-existing knowledge of web design basics. Students graduate from this course with a working understanding of today’s most effective web design tools and a portfolio they can share with current or future employers.

The tuition for the Web Design Course comes in at $4,995. Noble Desktop does, however, allow students to apply for financial aid or to register for payment plans prior to taking the course. Students can opt to break their tuition down into five or twelve individual payments. Interested parties should also refer to Noble Desktop’s financial aid pages to determine whether or not they’re eligible for any of the institution’s scholarships.

More Details

Noble Desktop allows students to retake the Web Design Certificate course free of charge, if necessary. Both in-person and remote students also benefit from 1-on-1 guidance from Noble Desktop’s instructors, no matter what rate a student completes the course.

Students can refer to Web Design Certificate alumnus testimonials to learn more about the course and its graduates’ professional opportunities. These testimonials include the following feedback:

“A great way to break into web design. No question too small. The teacher, the exercises and the workbook are seamlessly designed to cover the most ground. A great class for a great price!”—Carole Bolger

#2: Noble Desktop—Intro to UX Design

Professionals who don’t want to commit to a certificate program have other web design programs available to them through Noble Desktop. Noble Desktop’s Intro to UX Design comes free of charge and is available to students all around the world. The class is part of Noble Desktop’s larger UX & UI Design Certificate program, but students can opt to take the course independently.

Key Information

The Intro to UX Design course does not require students to have a pre-existing understanding of web design’s fundamentals. Instead, students can join this program and learn how to conduct basic user research, create personas, and distinguish between user interface and user experience design.

Students can also complete the course’s modules on their own schedule. While Noble Desktop’s instructors have pre-recorded lectures for students to make their way through, there are no designated due dates or dates by which students need to complete certain lessons. This flexibility makes the Intro to UX Design course one of the most accessible available through Noble Desktop’s web design track.

The course is also free of charge, meaning that students won’t have to worry about a tuition fee standing between them and the lessons they need to advance their web design careers. Students can even access the course’s materials after they graduate from the program.

More Details

Unlike Noble Desktop’s Web Design Certificate, the Intro to UX Design does not allow students to connect 1-on-1 with experienced instructors. Students can, however, engage with course alumni via the course’s comment sections and related forums.

Noble Desktop hosts several testimonials describing its Intro to UX Design course online, including the following:

“The UX/UI course was very in depth. The strategies shared and learned go beyond the coursework. I have taken courses at Noble in the past and found the instruction to be very thorough. The instructors work in the industry and class sizes are intimate. Whether you want to specialize in a specific software, or add a skill to your professional presence; Noble is the place!”—Anonymous

#3: Google Career Certificates—Google UX Design Professional Certificate

Google’s expertise in the world of web design is nothing to sniff at. Students who want to learn from the masters can turn to the search engine not to search for classes but instead to participate in a Google-sponsored program. Google Career Certificates works alongside the platform Coursera to offer today’s professionals a UX Design Professional Certificate. This course allows students to learn the skills necessary to succeed in:

  • Front-end development
  • Back-end development
  • UX & UI design

Students graduating from this program can post evidence of their success on their LinkedIn before using their expertise to vie for promotions or apply for a new, web design-oriented position.

Key Information

The core of Google’s UX Design Professional Certificate is its three-prong portfolio. Google and its instructors want students to graduate from the program with evidence of their web design experience. As such, the program teaches students how to identify a platform’s pain points, test personas for maximum success, and integrate CSS and HTML basics to create user-friendly platforms. Graduates take a website, mobile app, and a multi-platform program that they can use as an exhibit of their professional expertise.

Students can complete the UX Design Professional Certificate at their own pace. On average, the course takes six months to complete, so long as students dedicate a minimum of 10 hours a week to their classes. That said, students will not be penalized for taking longer to complete the course.

What’s more, both Google and Coursera offer the course free of charge. Students can register for a Coursera account to gain access to extracurricular projects and course materials. Coursera also offers registrants the opportunity to pursue additional professional development opportunities. Graduates can reach out to the Coursera team to request a resume assessment and interview prep.

This course is strictly remote, ensuring that professionals all around the world can access the materials that may help them advance their careers.

More Details

Google’s wide-reaching name is one of its greatest assets in this ever-changing digital age. Students who complete the Google UX Design Professional Certificate have the benefit of attaching that name to their professional education. As such, it may be easier for a course graduate to connect with working professionals who can help them advance their career in their field of choice.

That said, the certificate with which students graduate is one of the course’s defining assets. Students can post their certificate of completion on their LinkedIn or personal website as evidence of their web design expertise. When combined with their graduate portfolio, that certificate can help graduates get their foot in the door when diving deeper into the world of professional web design.

Interested students can turn to the course’s testimonials for more information about its modules, not to mention previous students’ success stories. Statements from alumni include the following:

“To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood.”—Felipe M.

#4: NYC Career Centers—Web Development with HTML and CSS

As the name implies, NYC Career Centers primarily offers web development and related courses to New York residents. That said, the platform also boasts an impressive digital library of courses that professionals in all fields can participate in. The platform’s Web Development with HTML and CSS sees NYC collaborate with Noble Desktop to introduce professionals to HTML, CSS, and the libraries students can use to optimize their professional web design projects.

Key Information

The Web Development with HTML and CSS course available through Noble Desktop and NYC Career Centers runs for 18 total hours. During that time, NYC Career Centers’ instructors guide students through code-based projects, introducing them to CSS and HTML fundamentals before having students demonstrate their understanding with low-pressure development exercises.

As such, students do not need to take any prerequisite courses or have any experience with CSS or HTML before registering for this program. 

NYC Career Centers charges students $975 to attend its Web Development with HTML and CSS course. That tuition covers each instructor’s smaller class size and a free copy of Adobe Creative Cloud. Students do not have to pay for their tuition in a single payment but can instead register for NYC Career Centers’ month-by-month payment plan. Certain corporations listed on NYC Career Centers’ website also receive discounts on vouchers when sending their team members in for a basic web design education.

More Details

Completing NYC Career Centers’ Web Development with HTML and CSS courses allows students the opportunity to retake the course and access its materials for up to six months after their initial participation. Graduates leave the program with a working portfolio of web design deliverables. Those deliverables make it easier for graduates to put their understanding of both coding languages on display.

Testimonials from the class say the following:

“The instructor was very knowledgeable and willing to answer questions as they came up. I really enjoyed his class.”—Kenneth Nditsi

“I'm very glad our institution connected us with this training. It was worth the time because the instructor was great: knowledgeable, clear, detailed, and responsive to all questions!”—Anel Cortez

#5: Codecademy—Introduction to UI and UX Design

Codecademy’s Introduction to User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design is one of the many digital, code-based workshops it makes available to professionals in all industries. As the name suggests, the course makes a point to distinguish UI and UX development from one another before going into the basics of each practice. Professionals who want to refresh their understanding of certain UX & UI design topics and tools and beginners who want to get their web design feet wet can both benefit from the class’s self-directed approach.

Key Information

Codecademy recommends its Introduction to UI and UX Design to web design beginners and, as such, does not require students to demonstrate an understanding of web design-related codes or tools before they register for the class. What’s more, the course lasts no more than five hours, though it allows students to complete relevant modules at their own pace. As such, this course is ideal for a professional who wants to improve their understanding of modern web design strategies over a long weekend or a handful of evenings.

This course specifically highlights the differences between professional UI and UX design. It then introduces students to basic wireframing techniques before having students experiment with prototyping in Figma. Codecademy makes sure to test students on their understanding of each module with regular quizzes. Students also leave the UI and UX Design course with a limited portfolio of work demonstrating their familiarity with Figma and basic web design wireframes.

What’s more, Codecademy makes its Introduction to UI and UX Design available without charging a tuition fee. At a minimum, though, Codecademy requires students to create in-platform profiles to access the course’s materials. Students who want to receive a certificate of completion must register for one of Codecademy’s paid plans, though. 

Codecademy offers a wide range of paid plans, from its $34.99 “Beginner” plan to the $59.99 “Pro” plan. Students can compare these plans on Codecademy’s site to determine whether or not they want to move forward with a long-term subscription.

More Details

While the Introduction to UI and UX Design course does not put students in contact with a real-time instructor, students do receive feedback on the projects they submit for the course. Codecademy relies on an AI instructor to recommend project improvements to attending students. 

Codecademy also boasts several professional development tools and networking opportunities for its Introduction to UI and UX Design participants. Students can connect with graduates who’ve used their skills to secure positions with Instagram, Microsoft, and Reddit. Graduates who opt to purchase a course completion certificate can also reference that certificate when asked what their experience with professional UI and UX design looks like.

Previous course participants have this to say about Codecademy’s Introduction to UI and UX Design course:

“I felt like I learned months in a week. I love how Codecademy uses learning by practice and gives great challenges to help the learner to understand a new concept and subject.”—Rodrigo

“Brilliant learning experience. Very interactive. Literally a game changer if you're learning on your own.” John-Andrew

#6: General Assembly—Front-end Web Development Course

A comprehensive understanding of the front-end web development basics can allow web design newcomers and veterans to more effectively create digital platforms that appeal to today’s fickle consumers. General Assembly recognizes the need for professionals to frequently revisit the front-end web development skill set and thus welcomes students of all degrees of experience to join its Front-end Web Development Course.

Key Information

General Assembly’s Front-end Development Course Is one of the most comprehensive courses available to web design beginners and veterans to date. The course lasts for ten weeks but allows students to participate in classes from anywhere in the world. Students who live in the same area as an ongoing course can attend that course in-person if they so choose, but General Assembly prefers to make its Front-end Web Development Course available through its Remote Classrooms so as to better reach students in need.

The course touches on web design basics, including coding languages like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. Instructors guide students through the use of these languages in front-end web design, helping students create wireframes, test site structures via digital personas, and optimize existing structures.

The course costs $4,500. General Assembly does allow students to reduce the cost of tuition, though, courtesy of loan coverage through partners like Meritize, Ascent, and Climb. Students can also register for a payment installment plan, which can see them pay as little as $1,125 per month for course participation. Students who take the Front-end Development Course at their employer’s behest may even see their tuition covered in full, depending on that employer’s relationship with General Assembly’s admissions team.

More Details

Students who graduate from General Assembly’s Front-end Development Course leave the program with a working portfolio of front-end development projects based in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students can refer to these materials when demonstrating their front-end expertise.

For more information about what benefits students have reaped from General Assembly’s Front-end Web Development Course, interested parties can refer to course testimonials like the following:

“I knew nothing about web development and I had no idea where to begin. My teacher was able to break down a concept that was completely foreign to me so that I could understand it easily. He also really helped me a ton with my final project, which was building a prototype for invibed.com. Best of all, the part-time program was flexible enough to fit in with my busy work schedule.""—Danielle Pascarella

#7: Udemy—WordPress for Beginners 

While competitors have come and gone, WordPress remains one of the most popular online hosting platforms available to businesses, large and small. As such, Udemy’s WordPress for Beginners program is one of the best available to professionals who want to better understand this prolific platform and its library of plugins. The course relies on video content to deep-dive into the tools that WordPress offers newcomers and web design veterans alike. Participating in this course can help students better understand that toolkit and its many uses, whether those Designers are working for larger corporations or personal businesses.

Key Information

One of WordPress for Beginners’ many benefits is its inherent flexibility. Students can take this course at their leisure without worrying about assignment deadlines or specific course hours. The course takes roughly nine and a half hours to complete while also encouraging students to read through ten supplemental articles and 15 additional resources.

Udemy charges students $139.99 to participate in its WordPress for Beginners course. That tuition fee allows students to learn how to:

  • Make posts and pages
  • Tag and categorize relevant content
  • Install relevant plugins
  • Create a longstanding homepage
  • Invest in WordPress encryption services
  • Improve WordPress’s UI and UX

Students can benefit from frequent course discounts and a 30-day tuition-back guarantee should they find that the class doesn’t suit their professional interests. Udemy also allows students to pay $16.58 per month to access not only its WordPress for Beginners course but an array of other web design-oriented courses.

More Details

Udemy offers students who graduate from WordPress for Beginners a certificate of completion to indicate that they’ve taken the course. Alumni can host this certificate on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate their WordPress expertise to their current or future employers. 

The course’s outline nature makes it easier for students around the world to learn the ins and outs of the WordPress platform regardless of their professional commitments. That said, WordPress for Beginners does lack the community connections that some students may benefit from. As such, students should only register for this course if they feel comfortable with self-directed and highly-independent lessons.

Potential students can read through the course’s testimonials to learn more about previous graduates’ experiences with Instructor Andrew Williams, Udemy, and WordPress in a professional setting. These testimonials include the following:

“An excellent course which will teach you everything you need to know to get a WordPress site up and running, even if you have no experience.”—Jamie D.

“Excellent course that enabled me to get my first website up and running. Laid out logically, clearly in easily digestible bites. I had a few questions and they were answered by the creator within a day. Very impressed.”—Kevin B.

#8: Computer Training Source, Inc.—CSS Part 1

Computer Training Sources, Inc. Began offering its web design and code-related courses in 1991. Today, the institution’s online and in-person courses help professionals in Chicagoland and beyond stay on top of new developments in web design and related fields. The institution’s CSS Part 1 course scratches the surface of today’s web design techniques by introducing students to one of the most common coding languages used to create user-friendly digital platforms.

Key Information

Computer Training Source, Inc.’s CSS Part 1 course lasts no longer than a single day. Students can come together via Zoom for seven hours to discuss the basics of CSS and the different ways they can use the coding language to manipulate the digital frontier. The course’s counterpart, CSS Part 2, similarly operates off of Zoom and lasts for a total of seven hours. Neither course requires any software purchases nor any pre-existing knowledge of CSS or related web design tools.

That said, Computer Training Source, Inc. Does require CSS Part 1 students to demonstrate a working knowledge of HTML before they register for this class. Students can alternatively participate in Computer Training Source, Inc.’s HTML Intro and Intermediate classes to qualify for placement in CSS Part 1.

CSS Part 1 specifically tailors its lessons toward beginners who’ve never worked in a web design position before. As such, the course isn’t ideal for someone looking for a CSS refresher or with a basic understanding of web design’s primary coding languages. Students can choose to take the class as a stand-alone professional development workshop. Alternatively, students can move on to CSS Part 2 or other web design programs offered through Computer Training Source, Inc.

Students should expect Computer Training Source, Inc. To charge $699 for a seat in its CSS Part 1 course. Students who take the course in the evenings do, however, receive a discount on their tuition. Anyone who wants to take the course but finds themselves contending with financial difficulties can register for applicable grants of Computer Training Source, Inc.’s course coupons.

More Details

Computer Training Source, Inc. Wants its students to graduate from programs like CSS Part 1 with a comprehensive understanding of the coding language and its role in modern web design. As such, students can retake CSS Part 1 within six months of their original graduation date without having to repay the course’s tuition. Students can also interact 1-on-1 with course tutors and instructors to ensure that they understand the course’s materials.

Computer Training Source, Inc. Has not shared any testimonials from CSS Part 1’s graduates at this time.

#9: Skillcrush—Front-end Development Course

When today’s audiences think of coding, they often think of a white man in the dark room tapping out numbers on a black and green screen. That, however, is a far cry from the truth. While coding and web design continue to be male-dominated fields, women, nonbinary people, and BIPOC are breaking into the field with increased fervor. Skillcrush strives to make it easier for these parties to bust through the glass ceiling and find web design careers that suit their skill sets.

Skillcrush specifically makes its Front-end Development Course, alongside other courses, available to late career changers, disabled individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, nonbinary students, and students of color. The course relies on video lectures and instruction from experienced professionals to guide all of these students toward a more successful future in a web design position.

Students who register for Skillcrush’s Front-end Development Course can try their hand at HTML, JavaScript, and CSS with the intent to use those coding languages to create user-oriented, functional websites. Participants can not only learn the web design basics but can additionally connect with working professionals who can help them advance their understanding of web design techniques and search for lucrative, skill-based jobs.

Key Information

In its effort to make its Front-end Development Course as accessible as possible, Skillshare does not require its students to complete course pre-work or have any knowledge of web design’s fundamentals before students register for the class. The course’s instructors will instead go over these basics before transitioning students into more complex topics, including platform hosting, web design plugins, personas, and product testing.

Skillcrush offers this course to students from all fields for $549 in total. Students have the choice to either pay that tuition fee in full or register for a monthly payment plan. Skillcrush will refund that tuition if students do not receive a job offer related to their web design education within 180 days of completing the Front-end Development Course.

Students can complete the Front-end Development Course at their own rate while communicating with their peers and instructors via Skillcrush’s Slack channels. Skillcrush’s instructors make sure students graduate from the program with a working portfolio of front-end work that they can use to demonstrate their familiarity with CSS, JavaScript, HTML, and the wireframes that make today’s digital platforms more engaging.

More Details

Skillcrush wants its students to benefit from their web design education long after those students graduate from the Front-end Development Course. As such, students receive a certificate upon their graduation indicating course completion and their understanding of the front-end development basics. Students can also continue to access the Front-end Development Course’s materials after they finish the program. Access to this library of materials can make it easier for students to retain the lessons they’ve learned, even as they use those skills in a new and rapidly-changing professional environment.

There are no testimonials describing Skillcrush’s Front-end Development Course available at this time. Students can, however, refer to the platform’s Course Report winnings, including the award of Best Online Bootcamp in 2021 and 2022, for more information about previous students’ post-course success and the value of the course itself.

#10: Flatiron—Become a UX/UI Designer

Flatiron teaches web design courses under the umbrella of its range of Software Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Product Design programs. The Become a UX/UI Designer course serves as a career-oriented program designed to help current and burgeoning professionals better understand what tools they need to help businesses successfully connect with digital audiences.

Key Information

Flatiron offers its Become a UX/UI Designer course in both full and part-time capacities. Students can take the full-time course and graduate in 15 weeks or opt for the 40-week part-time course. Each course addresses the same modules, ensuring that students in both tracks can graduate understanding how to effectively cultivate user experiences on a user-friendly interface.

The institution makes course materials available in-person via live courses as well as online in remote classes. Students participating in the part-time program tend to see more recorded digital materials than their in-person counterparts, but every student has the opportunity to reach out to the course’s instructor for additional guidance.

Become a UX/UI Designer’s instructors expect students to complete up to 40 hours of pre-course work before the class begins. These labs and lessons ensure that students have the web design foundation in place to benefit from the class’s various modules.

Students who want to participate in the Become a UX/UI Designer program should expect to pay a hefty tuition fee. Both the in-person and remote courses cost between $16,900 and $17,900. That said, Flatiron offers students financial support via three scholarships: The Access Scholarship, the Women Take Tech Scholarship, and the Merit Scholarship. Students can also opt into a no-interest payment plan or partner with Ascent and Climb to benefit from student loans.

More Details

Getting into Flatiron’s Become a UX/UI Designer course takes time. Students must fill out an application, interview with Flatiron’s staff, and then take a test evaluating their familiarity with UX and UI concepts. Only parties who succeed in all three stages of the application process can participate in the Become a UX/UI Designer course.

That said, the course helps prepared professionals pursue a career in web design. Participants benefit from 1-on-1 meetings with instructors whether they participate in the course online or in-person. Graduates can also rely on Flatiron’s alumni network to find their footing as web design professionals.

Flatiron has several snippets published describing its Become a UX/UI Designer graduates’ success. One such snippet has the following to say about course graduate, Deka Ambia:

“Meet Atlanta Flatiron School Alum and Popmenu Software Engineer, Deka Ambia! During the summer of 6th grade, she stumbled upon coding through an internet forum and fell in love with it. Later in life, she received poor advice that she needed to be proficient in math to take programming classes in college, so she abandoned the idea. Nearly 15 years later, she’s reclaiming her passion.”

#11: Skillshare—The Basics of Web-Design Layout

Skillshare’s The Basics of Web-Design Layout takes a uniquely visual approach to—what else?—the basics of web design. Instructor Rich guides students through the fundamentals behind today’s digital spaces by teaching them HTML and CSS. The video lessons available through Skillshare’s platform also help newcomers and old hats in the web design world better understand what tools they can use to create engaging digital platforms.

Key Information

Skillshare specializes in providing today’s curious minds with easy-to-digest courses discussing topics ranging from the basics of coding to the professional use of Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma. The Basics of Web-Design Layout is one such course. This course specifically teaches students how to create online platforms that audiences can not only engage with but consistently return to, be that for online purchases or information.

Instructor Rich specifically breaks the course down into 25 sections. These sections address:

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Blocking
  • Positioning
  • Display types
  • Borders
  • X&Y translations

Students can take this course free of charge for its first 14 days. What’s more, Skillshare allows students to take this course at their own pace. Students who can complete the course’s modules in that 14-day period can benefit from a robust web design education free of charge. Students who take more than 14 days to complete the course, however, have to pay for a Skillshare membership. Fortunately, the cost of these memberships starts at $10 per month to keep Skillshare’s courses as accessible as possible.

The class itself is not particularly long. Students can complete all 25 of the course’s modules in just over three hours. Students do not have to have a working knowledge of web design or its related coding languages to excel in this course.

More Details

Skillshare does not award its course graduates a certificate demonstrating their understanding of the web design basics. That said, students can still use the lessons they learn in the class in a professional environment.

What’s more, Skillshare makes its Basics of Web-Design Layout widely accessible. The class’s lessons are pre-recorded and thus available to course attendees at all hours of the day. This self-direction allows busier students the opportunity to grow their web design skill set without altering their schedules.

Students with a Skillshare account can also retain access to this course’s materials after graduating from the program, meaning they can refer back to the course’s lessons at any time and from any location.

#12: Treehouse—Web Design Track

Treehouse’s Web Design Track allows students to participate in several modules, all designed to improve those students’ understanding of web design and its functions in a professional environment. The Web Design Track specifically focuses on CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and web design layouts. Registrants who participate in the program can come away from the Web Design Track with the first-hand design experience they need to qualify for entry web design positions. As such, Treehouse’s Web Design Track is perfect for newcomers to the web design field or old hats who want to keep up-to-date as the field’s best coding practices change.

Key Information

Treehouse’s instructors break the Web Design Track down into several modules, including:

  • HTML and CSS
  • CSS Selectors
  • HTML Forms
  • Typography
  • CSS Layouts
  • Flexbox
  • Bootstrap
  • CSS Transforms and Transitions
  • SVG Basics

Students can complete this course in 40 hours from the comfort of their homes. While Treehouse offers the course’s first seven days free of charge, the platform does require its students to register for a course plan if they want to access supplemental course materials and their community of peers.

The course plans available through Treehouse include:

  • Courses, $25 per month
  • Courses Plus, $49 per month
  • Techdegree, $199 per month

Only the Techdegree plan allows students to connect with the Web Design Track’s course instructors and other students through Treehouse’s Slack. Techdegree registrants will also benefit from a peer review process when submitting the assignments that the Web Design Track requires them to complete.

Treehouse considers its Web Design Track to be beginner-friendly. This means that students will not have to take prerequisite courses or demonstrate an understanding of web design tools before they register for the course. Instead, students can graduate from this track with a more comprehensive understanding of the web design fundamentals.

More Details

Treehouse makes its Web Design Track highly customizable. Students who prefer a self-directed approach to their web design education can register for Treehouse’s Courses plan and treat the Web Design Track as an independent program. Students who benefit from peer review and 1-on-1 time with their instructors may have to invest in a more robust Treehouse course plan to get the education they need out of the Web Design Track.

That said, all Web Design Track participants benefit from Treehouse’s sweeping alumni network. Students can reach out to alumni working at Google and similar platforms to learn more about the different ways they can translate their education into an actionable career.

Potential registrants can read more about Treehouse’s Web Design course courtesy of the platform’s testimonials, including the following:

“Being a Techdegree student is one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career.”—Kalina Edwards

“I am confident that if I did not use Treehouse as my initial resource, I would be on a different path at the moment. There are a variety of educational resources I have used, but Treehouse is simple, educational and comes with a great community.”—Joe Dayvie

#13: CareerFoundry—Intro to UX Design Course

CareerFoundry prioritizes its students’ desire to change careers, even after several years or even decades working in a particular field. As such, CareerFoundry’s Intro to UX Design represents a beginner-friendly professional development program that students can use to modify their existing professional skill sets. Students who participate in this program benefit from its instructors’ expertise as well as CareerFoundry’s ever-growing alumni network.

Key Information

Students who participate in CareerFoundry’s Intro to UX Design course move through the following modules at their own pace:

  • An introduction to UX and design thinking
  • How to conduct effective user research
  • Building user personas
  • Analyzing information architecture
  • Wireframes and prototypes
  • Usability testing
  • Presenting work
  • UX careers

That said, Intro to UX Design does not constitute a traditionally self-directed course. Instead, students are required to participate in the course between a predetermined start and finish date. In that time, students will have scheduled meetings with the course’s instructor and CareerFoundry-assigned tutors. These parties will help the attending student better understand the course’s lessons and determine how the student can apply those lessons to a career.

CareerFoundry charges its students $690 to participate in the Intro to UX Design class as an independent course. That said, students who want to commit to CareerFoundry’s UX Design Program track receive a $100 discount on the course’s tuition. Students who think they may struggle to pay CareerFoundry’s tuition fees can apply for any of the program’s 100 partial scholarships to alleviate that financial strain.

Students should expect to dedicate between 15 and 20 hours a week to their studies if they want to complete Intro to UX Design within the course’s start and finish dates. The course generally takes a month to complete and requires no pre-work or any prerequisites.

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CareerFoundry’s Intro to UX Design is one of the most uniquely-scheduled web design programs available to professionals to date. While students can participate in the course asynchronously, the course’s set start and finish dates allow students to more readily interact with their instructor and tutors. As such, CareerFoundry’s Intro to UX Design course makes it easier for independent and group-oriented students to receive the web design education they need to advance their careers.

Speaking of career advancement, students graduate from Intro to UX Design with a working portfolio of apps that they can use to exhibit their UX. CareerFoundry also awards its graduates a certificate of completion that students can share on social media. 

Interested students can read through CareerFoundry’s alumni testimonials or contact the platform’s team to learn more about the Intro to UX Design program. These testimonials include the following:

“The CareerFoundry website was very informative, and the learning process suited me very much. I was perhaps a bit cynical about the full UX Design Program because it has a job guarantee and mentor and tutor support—I thought it was too good to be true. So I took the Intro to UX Design Course first to see how that works. If I liked it, I would then take the immersion course. And I loved it! I got all the things I was promised—it was all true!”—Sayma Sultana

#14: Udacity—UX Design for Mobile Developers

The field of web design serves more than a monitor-based audience. Everyone today has a little computer in their pocket. As such, every website needs to be mobile-optimized if it’s going to appeal to a broader audience. Courses like Udacity’s UX Design for Mobile Developers highlight the importance of digital versatility and help today’s professionals better understand the tools they need to optimize a digital platform for mobile use.

Key Information

Udacity’s UX Design for Mobile Developers does not build on a Web Designer’s pre-existing understanding of user experience or related topics. A beginner can come to the course with no knowledge of mobile optimization, let alone web design coding languages, and graduate with the skills they need to excel as a web design professional.

That said, the course does have its limitations. Udacity instructors focus on Android app development as they guide students through the course’s modules: What is User Experience, User-Centered Design, Designing for Mobile Constraints, and Designing for Android Delight.

Udacity offers this course free of charge and allows students to dictate what pace they want to complete the course at. Graduates leave the program with a portfolio of app development that they can use when applying for jobs or promotions.

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Students can choose to take Udacity’s UX Design for Mobile Developers independent of a broader web design track. That said, Udacity offers the course as part of its Android Kotlin Developer nanodegree, a degree that students can use to qualify for promotions or career changes.

Taking the UX Design for Mobile Developers course allows attendees to connect with alumni networks through both Udacity and Udacity’s partner, Google. As such, students who graduate from the program can rely on these alumni networks to learn more about web design and mobile development careers.

For more information about Udacity’s UX Design for Mobile Developers course, interested parties can read through testimonials from previous students. These testimonials include the following insights:

“Before Udacity, I was working two minimum wage jobs. Now, I have a new job, a new mindset, and new life!”—Ryan

“Udacity helped me discover my passion and now I love what I do!”—Jedrzej

#15: FutureLearn—User Experience (UX) Design and Research

Global University Systems oversees FutureLearn in FutureLearn’s effort to make professional development courses available to professionals entering or advancing through the field of web design. As such, the institution can offer its User Experience (UX) Design and Research course to professionals at all experience levels and working in all industries. This course marries hyper-independent self-direction with instructor participation to ensure that students can take applicable UX lessons on their own time without forfeiting an instructor’s guidance.

Key Information

FutureLearn offers students access to its User Experience (UX) Design and Research course for free for students’ first seven days of classes. After that, FutureLearn charges students $39 per month for access to its class materials. Fortunately, FutureLearn cancels a student’s subscription after they complete a course, ensuring that they won’t be unnecessarily charged for the use of the platform’s many resources. Students can also cancel their course subscription at any point.

What does $39 get today’s students? Access to a series of workshops and a library of course materials relevant to professional user experience design. Moreover, students can enjoy access to experienced instructors as they complete module-related assignments. Students can reach out to their instructors for feedback on assignments or clarification on certain modules. FutureLearn hosts these conversations on an internal platform, ensuring communications are straightforward and consistent.

Students do not have to participate in any prerequisite courses or display any pre-existing knowledge of user experience design to participate in the User Experience (UX) Design and Research course. Each course module takes roughly three hours to complete, while the course itself takes about 35 hours to see through to completion. As mentioned, students can participate in these modules as it suits them, allowing them to integrate the course into their already-busy schedules.

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FutureLearn’s User Experience (UX) Design and Research course is one of the few self-directed programs that still allows its students regular access to an instructor’s guidance. While the course doesn’t foster the same sense of community as an in-person alternative, that connectivity ensures that each participant can make the most out of even the most perplexing modules.

Students interested in participating in the course can refer to graduates’ testimonials to learn more about what to expect from the program. These testimonials include the following insights:

""FutureLearn courses are always interesting and informative. They bring the classroom right to you and send you on a journey to explore new ideas and offer interesting topics.""—Gayle B.

""I recommend Futurelearn to anyone looking to learn and upskill…If you are in the job market, you might want to add a new skill or forge a new path.""—Iniobong P.

#16: the World Wide Web Consortium—HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) offers its HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals course free of charge to students around the world as part of its initiative to create a library of coding-related materials for broader access. Students can register for this course to learn about the basics of both of these web design-oriented coding languages without having to commit to an in-person program. 

Key Information

Each of the modules available through W3C’s HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals course comes free of charge. Students can access lessons pre-written and recorded by W3C instructors at their leisure. The self-direction that the course requires demands that its students dictate a consistent educational schedule if they want to benefit from the course’s lessons. That said, this flexibility also allows students with demanding professional careers to keep up with their work-related education without sacrificing their limited free time.

Most students can finish the HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals course within six weeks, so long as they spend up to six hours participating in the course’s modules per week. The class does not require students to submit class-related work by a particular deadline but instead relies on its self-directed modus operandi to drive students toward course completion.

Generally speaking, HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals operates as an independent course within W3C’s broader curriculum. That said, the students who take this course can register for W3C’s Front-end Web Developer Professional Certificate, too.

More Details

The modules available through the HTML and CSS Fundamentals course are available to participating students free of charge. That said, there are some limitations put on students by the free version of the course. For example, graduates who do not pay for W3C’s services will not receive a certificate of course completion after graduating from the program.

Instead, students who want to receive proof of completion must register for W3C’s verified participation track. This course costs $199. That said, students who pay this fee receive lifetime access to the course’s materials, meaning they can refer back to them even after completing the program’s assigned modules.

#17: Borough of Manhattan Community College—Introduction to Programming with Java

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) offers its Introduction to Programming in Java as a means for today’s professionals to learn more about the basics of this common web design coding language. Students in New York City and around the world can benefit from the course’s independent practicalities as well as its contributions to a broader degree track. The class provides students with a portfolio of Java-based deliverables that they can refer back to when addressing in-house problems or when applying for a job that takes advantage of their understanding of Java.

Key Information

BMCC offers its Introduction to Programming with Java course during its spring, summer, and fall semesters. Students can pay $614, alongside a registration fee of $15, to participate in the class independent of any broader course of study. Students can apply for financial support through the community college if they need help paying the registration fee or BMCC tuition. BMCC does not require students to take any prerequisites to register for the program.

The course operates primarily on Zoom, making it particularly accessible to students who don’t live in Manhattan or New York City. The course generally takes place in the evenings, running for three hours twice a week. The class concludes after a month, making it easy for students to commit to their further education without complicating their already-busy schedules.

Graduates from the Introduction to Programming with Java course will receive a certificate of completion, even without registering for additional courses through BMCC. Students can then refer to that certificate when asked to display their understanding of the coding language in a professional environment. 

More Details

BMCC prefers to keep its course sizes small to ensure that instructors can get 1-on-1 time with their students. As such, the Introduction to Programming with Java course only accepts 20 students at a time. Students may find themselves waitlisted if they try to register for the course too close to the start of a new semester.

Previous class participants have this to say about the Introduction to Programming with Java course:

“Teacher is knowledgeable and excellent! Highly recommended!”—Lance Samaria

“It was great for me and I would like to continue Java programming courses.”—Jamol K.

#18: John Hopkins University—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers

Most students participate in today’s web design courses to get ahead professionally. John Hopkins and Coursera both recognize this goal and strive to make it simpler for working professionals to achieve. As such, Coursera helps John Hopkins University instructors make the institution’s HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers course available to a wide range of students for free and at those students’ leisure.

Students can choose to participate in this course as part of a larger course of study through Coursera’s web design specialization, or they can take it independently. Either way, students can connect with John Hopkins University instructors who can help them cultivate the practical portfolio they need to succeed in the web design profession of their choosing.

Key Information

As mentioned, John Hopkins University and Coursera work together to ensure that students can participate in the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Designers course on their own schedule. While instructors create videos for the course, students can sit through those videos and complete relevant assignments at their own rate. The course takes roughly 40 hours from start to finish, though students will retain access to the course’s materials throughout its duration, no matter what pace they work at.

Instructor Yaakov Chaikin breaks the course down into three sections, each focusing on one of the titular coding languages. Students will take quizzes throughout each section to test their understanding of the languages and their relevance to the web design profession.

This course comes free of charge through Coursera’s online platform. That said, students who want proof of graduation must subscribe to the Coursera platform to receive a shareable certificate.

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The perks of working with an institution as prestigious as John Hopkins University are hard to overlook. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Designer course participants gain access to both the university’s and Coursera’s network of alumni. Those connections can make it easier for students to find web design careers that suit them after they graduate.

Students also have the opportunity to take the lessons they learn in the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript course into the real-world after they graduate. Students can use course deliverables to prove their expertise upon request.

Previous course participants have this to say about their experiences:

“Excellent course, especially if you are a professional but in different technologies/ languages, from the back-end world, etc.… You will progress very fast as it goes right to the essential notions.”—NC

“Excellent course for people with intermediate knowledge of programming. Very eloquently teaches Bootstrap framework and JavaScript along with AJAX. Must-take course for any aspiring web developer!”—AB

#19: University of London—Responsive Website Development and Design

The University of London and Coursera work in tandem to offer students around the world access to the University of London’s Responsive website Development and Design Course. This course is part of a larger Responsive website Development and Design Specialization offered by both institutions, but neither institution requires its students to commit to that full course of study to participate in the course. Instead, professionals in need of a Bootstrap, Handlebars, or JavaScript refresher can turn to the University of London for help nailing down the basics of these tools and their use in professional web design.

Key Information

The University of London’s Responsive Web Design course breaks the study of web design down into specific stages. First, students learn which elements of a webpage have the most impact on that page’s performance. Students then learn how to create wireframes and what coding fundamentals they need to create a functioning platform. Finally, students learn about the basics of a responsive grid layout.

While instructors Dr. Matthew Yee-King, Dr. Kate Devlin, Professor Marco Gillies, and Dr. Mick Grierson teach these lessons, they do so via pre-recorded videos. As such, class participants can go through each video at their own pace, ensuring that the information therein sinks in. What’s more, students can take this course free of charge after creating a Coursera account.

The course takes roughly 26 hours to complete but does not require students to submit relevant materials by any particular deadline. As such, this self-directed program is ideal for professionals who have busy work schedules and can only attend courses on weekends or in the evenings. That said, the course does eventually close. Students who want to graduate from the program should finish all of the course’s relevant lessons by the course’s closing date.

While the course may be free, its graduate certificate is not. Students who want to advertise their understanding of the course’s web design lessons through platforms like LinkedIn must pay for a Coursera subscription if they want to access the course’s graduating certificate.

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While the Responsive Web Design instructors pre-record their lessons, they still make time to connect with each batch of students who participate in the program. Students can contact their course’s instructor for 1-on-1 web design guidance as needed throughout their program. That connectability, paired with the course’s flexible deadlines, keeps students engaged with their peers without introducing additional stress into their lives.

Interested parties can read more about Coursera and the University of London’s Responsive Web Design course in course testimonials, including the following:

“Having a like-minded community makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger. Before Coursera, I thought online learning was lonely and unengaging.”—Gabriela G.

#20: NextGen Bootcamp—UX & UI Design Summer Program NYC (High School)

Today’s high schoolers may find themselves as much in need of additional coding classes as working professionals. It’s with that need in mind that NextGen Bootcamp offers its UX & UI Design Summer Program NYC to current and graduating high schoolers. This bootcamp is one of many that introduces students to the practical uses of CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and design-oriented coding languages.

Key Information

As the name suggests, NextGen Bootcamp’s UX & UI Design Summer Program only accepts current and graduating high school students. Students age out of NextGen Bootcamp at age 18, at which point they can often find placement in other programs. Up until students turn 18, however, they can participate in NextGen Bootcamp’s wide range of web design courses.

What’s more, students don’t have to be based in New York City to benefit from the UX & UI Design Summer Program. NextGen Bootcamp offers the course in-person and remotely, ensuring that students all around the globe can advance their understanding of the web design basics.

That said, NextGen Bootcamp keeps its course sizes small. Each instructor takes on no more than 10 students per course. These limited class sizes make it easier for students to get 1-on-1 time with instructors who can help them advance their understanding of professional web design.

The UX & UI Design Summer Program hosts its classes from June to July, with students spending no more than six hours every other day in class. The course costs $2,495 and does not qualify for NextGen Bootcamp’s payment plans or special financing. Instead, parents and students can contact NextGen Bootcamp’s staff members to discuss what financial aid may be available to incoming participants.

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NextGen Bootcamp prioritizes its students’ ability to take the lessons they learn in bootcamps, like the UX & UI Design Summer Program, into the working world. With that in mind, bootcamp graduates leave their program of choice with a working portfolio that they can share with future employers. 

UX & UI Design Summer Program graduates receive a certificate proving that they’ve completed the course. NextGen Bootcamp makes it easy for students to share this certificate through online platforms like LinkedIn. A student can use their certificate alongside their portfolio to prove to employers that they know how to code using basic web design languages.

Students can also access their course materials for a month after graduating, ensuring that they can keep their understanding of the web design basis sharp. NextGen Bootcamp’s instructors record each day’s courses, meaning that students can revisit an instructor’s specific, lesson-based instructions as well as any supplemental reading materials.

Ready to learn more about NextGen Bootcamp’s UX & UI Design Summer Program? Take a look at the testimonials that graduates have left behind, including the following:

“Great intro to Java coding, very informative and helpful.”—Quinn Johander

“As someone completely new to the world of Computer Science, this course has laid out an easy-to-follow path for me while allowing me to learn so much in just 15 days.”—Saif AlHammadi

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Choose a Web Design Class?

When it comes time to choose a web design class, participants have to consider their budgets, availability, and end goals. There are dozens of web design classes available at a range of prices, as exhibited here. Professionals who can’t afford an in-person intensive bootcamp shouldn’t put themselves in debt to attend that kind of class. Instead, professionals or students on a tight budget can participate in a virtual program or web design class that doesn’t require them to break the bank.

Students who want to participate in more intensive web design classes but don’t have the funds to do so can alternatively pursue training programs with the assistance of their employers or institution-specific scholarships.

No professional should push themselves to the brink trying to balance work, life, and web design training, either. It’s with a professional’s busy schedule in mind that so many institutions offer part-time or self-guided web design courses to interested students. Professionals who can afford to take time away from work for an eight-hour course can attend the classes that suit them best. Professionals without that flexibility, however, can participate in independent classes or web design classes that only meet on the weekend.

Last but not least, attending professionals have to consider how a web design class might influence their long-term careers. Incoming registrants who want to make themselves more competitive for a promotion can, for example, participate in more advanced or tool-specific web design classes to better qualify for a new role. Newcomers who want to change fields can take a beginner’s web design class to learn the basics of the coding languages and digital tools that Web Designers use on a daily basis.

All this to say, choosing a web design class is a highly-individualized process. No two students will come away from the same web design class with the same experience, nor will the class have the same impact on their long-term career advancement. Participants who want to learn more about how a web design class might transform their futures can refer to each class’s testimonials to see how other students have taken the relevant lessons and applied them to their professional lives.

Is It Better to Attend a Web Design Class In-person or Online?

In-person web design classes are not inherently better than online web design classes, or vice versa. Each of these course types has its pros and cons. For example, in-person web design classes move at a deliberate and set pace. Professionals who register for these classes can expect said classes to start and begin at a set time and can thus more effectively build their schedules around them.

In-person web design classes also allow professionals to network with their instructors and peers. The nature of these classes allows for teamwork, meaning that attendees have plenty of opportunities to both deep-dive into relevant course material alongside a peer and discuss the industries that their classmates work in. These connections can make it easier for a class’s graduates to pursue careers in alternative fields if they so desire.

That said, in-person classes demand a lot of an attendee’s free time. Not only do attendees have to dedicate specific hours of their day to in-person attendance, but they also have to consider a class’s commute. Professionals who already struggle to maintain a healthy work/life balance may find that an in-person web design class pushes them over the edge.

That is where virtual web design courses come into play. Students participating in virtual web design classes often get to choose when they participate in certain modules. These students can also participate in these classes from the comfort of their homes, making it easier to complete chores or spend time with their families. Virtual courses also allow students to avoid the stress of a commute to and from a relevant institution’s campus.

Virtual web design classes do offer the same 1-on-1 instructor experiences that in-person classes do, but there are fewer opportunities for participants to network with their peers. Students who perform best in a social environment may find themselves understimulated by a virtual web design class.

With this in mind, incoming registrants need to think about the environment they learn best in and what constraints their schedules put on their availability. Once a student understands their classroom needs, they can more effectively choose a web design class that suits their limitations as well as their professional goals.

What Will I Need for a Web Design Class?

The materials students need for web design classes vary depending on how instructors teach those classes and what topic the class focuses on. If a class requires specific equipment, many institutions will either provide students with that equipment prior to the start of the class, offer discounts on equipment purchases, or direct students to platforms that allow them to purchase that equipment at reasonable prices.

Both in-person and virtual web design courses require students to either use a campus’s computer lab or possess a working computer. Because web design classes often require students to download specific software, students should ensure that their computers are updated and capable of consistently running a class’s software without crashing.

Students in virtual web design classes should consider investing in a good pair of headphones. While most computers today have built-in microphones, virtual students may also want to invest in microphones to more effectively communicate with their instructors.

Students with questions about the equipment or materials required for a web design class can reach out to an institution’s helpline or a class’s instructor to learn more about the class’s expectations of its participants.

Can I Learn Web Design Online for Free?

Several institutions offer web design courses free of charge online. That said, students should look into these programs before registering for them. Many of these courses are self-taught. Many will not provide the participant with a certificate of completion unless the participant registers for a subscription or otherwise pays a relevant fee.

In other words, free virtual web design classes do help participants learn the skills they need to advance their careers. If participants need to submit proof of course completion to an employer, though, said participants may need to take additional steps or pay certain fees to access a free institution’s other resources.

Is It Better to Learn Web Design in a Live or Self-paced Class?

There’s no “best” way to learn web design. Professionals have the option to participate in either live or self-paced classes depending on which form of course best suits their schedule and preferred learning style.

Live web design courses, either taught in-person or courtesy of a live, virtual instructor, allow participants to ask in-the-moment questions and to connect with live peers. These courses are ideal for students who know that they’ll have questions that they want instructors to answer or who learn best in a highly-structured environment. These courses, however, aren’t so ideal for students who need to work on a flexible schedule.

Students who travel a lot or who don’t always have the ability to commit to a same-time class do best in self-paced classes. These self-paced courses allow students who need a web design refresher to focus on the areas of the field that they need the most help with, all without delaying a class for their peers. However, self-paced classes don’t allow participants to connect with an instructor or their peers as quickly as they might in real-time, live classes.

As is often the case, it’s up to an individual to determine whether a live or self-paced class best suits their professional needs, not to mention their availability. Both types of classes will allow participants to advance their understanding of web design and thus advance a web design-related career.

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