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CSS

Posted by Dan WIlliams
Dan WIlliams
1,248 Points

Practice projects?

I am starting from scratch with HTML and CSS, having not done anything with either since the Geocities days. My approach to learning anything has always been to absolutely master the fundamentals first.

For me, the "hands-on" approach has always been best, and I always try to keep my practice confined to well-defined "steps."

I see the "tracks" here at Treehouse as an optimal way of defining those steps. And although the instruction so far in my current track has been excellent, I find myself in a place where I feel I need to take a pause and simply practice what I have learned so far.

As much as I appreciate the running project included in the "Making a Website" track, I would feel more comfortable moving on by reinforcing what I have learned so far by actually building a few websites.

I wonder if there are "practice project" suggestions for newbies here? Or even some actual practice assignments with rigid guidelines that would challenge me to use everything taught in "Making a Website?"

If not, would anyone care to take the time to "assign" me something?

Thanks!

6 Answers

Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones
1,694 Points

When I finished the "how to make a website" section, I decided to just try to create the same site again from scratch, repurposed as a resume/professional profile rather than as a portfolio. It was a useful way of just forcing myself to remember and consolidate the selectors and concepts covered throughout the initial series. You could do the same thing - change the content, even just slightly, and use what you've learned so far to deliver it in the best way you can think of.

I am in the same situation as you right now - just finished the "advanced selectors" module in the CSS Foundations Course and I am looking for a way to practice & consolidate the tools I've learned through the videos.

Rob Parmenter
Rob Parmenter
5,641 Points
Rob Parmenter
Rob Parmenter
5,641 Points

I ended up doing the same as Andrew. I am keeping this project "open" as I learn new things and techniques and I go into my project to try them out. Another thing that I plan on doing is to create little scenarios for myself with mock clients. An example would be that a business owner wants a simple site to showcase products/services or a cook would like to set up a blog with recipes, etc. While going through the courses, I have a notebook in front of me at all times and I write down everything covered as well as little hints or notes to myself to try out or look up and research further. I can then go back through my notes as I'm trying something out or if I need to refresh my memory, a quick re-watch of an episode helps. Good luck!

Dan WIlliams
Dan WIlliams
1,248 Points
Dan WIlliams
Dan WIlliams
1,248 Points

Hrmm, I guess I'll take that as my assignment, then - thanks!

One thing I think Treehouse should include with the "Making a website" track, is a complete list of all HTML elements covered in the track, along with a full list of covered CSS properties. Then I could re-recreate the website to the best of my ability using nothing but those lists. This would make it easy to actually practice using everything I have learned so far.

Maybe I'll go back through and make my own list. Heck, that would be good reinforcement right there, honestly.

Anyway, thanks again for the suggestion.

Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones
1,694 Points
Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones
1,694 Points

Absolutely, you could use the tools you have learned to create your own personal reference for them. It would force you to change the format of your list and make you reconsider the way you design and implement the navigation as well. Good luck!

Dan WIlliams
Dan WIlliams
1,248 Points
Dan WIlliams
Dan WIlliams
1,248 Points

Thanks, Rob. You're method actually gives me the idea to scour the web a bit looking for simple sites with poor design, but with all the images, logos, etc I need to completely rework the site for personal practice. One of my problems is I hate actually using my imagination to come up with site ideas, because I tend to overdue it and end up wasting tons of time looking for images, playing around with software like photoshop and illustrator, which I know is really counter-productive at this point, and really feels "off-track" when I do it.

Rob Parmenter
Rob Parmenter
5,641 Points
Rob Parmenter
Rob Parmenter
5,641 Points

LOL I can get the same way. I spend way too much time looking at fonts! However, playing in Photoshop or Illustrator is actually good practice especially if you will be using these in the future. When it comes to using imagination or coming up with a design, I like to write out a list of ideas or projects. I then focus on one idea for now and brainstorm it some more. With Google, I'll search other sites and/or images for inspiration and to look at what works or what doesn't. By then, I'll have some idea of what I want to create and create a rough sketch or even wireframe the site I want to create. I like lists, so I typically make another that is sort of like a goals list or a checklist to keep me on track. I tend to get off track a bit, so I use checklists to help me get back on track and stay on task. Have fun!