I was asked recently about the position currently vacant at CITT. In particular, I was asked which skills would be most desirable for a person looking to land a job as an entry leverl web designer or eLearning developer. I put together a quick list of my thoughts.

• XHTML and CSS. These are the basic building tools of web content. Try to avoid developing bad habits such as using tables for layout or using spacer gif’s. Learn how to read and manipulate the code. Relying on Dreamweaver all of the time is a bad habit.
• Know your browsers. Know how to use and test on Internet Explorer 5, 5.5, 6, and the upcoming release of 7. Know how to use Safari, Firefox, and the AOL browser. Test on all of these platforms. They are very inconsistent.
• Study basic visual design principles: color theory, typography, balance, rhythm, proportion, dominance, unity.
• Know how to create graphics using a vector-based tool (Illustrator, Freehand, or Fireworks) AND a bitmap editor (Photoshop or Fireworks).
• I wouldn’t worry very much about Flash. Flash is a very specialized tool that requires a lot of time to become proficient. I think your time is better spent elsewhere.
• Develop a good list of weblogs and read them regularly. I think manky web design books become outdated shortly after hitting the shelves. There are a lot of great web designers sharing techniques that easily apply to eLearning. I recommend using an RSS feed reader to manage all of your weblogs.
• Know how to talk about server-side code, but leave the PHP/ASP/.NET stuff to the professionals. While I think it is good to have a basic understanding of how they work, becoming proficient in them takes a lot of work.

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Actually, we are looking for one good person. CITT, a.k.a. my day job, is in the process of hiring a web/eLearning designer to fill a recent vacancy. We have an official job description, but essentially it boils down to this:

• Can you code valid HTML and CSS
• Do you understand the basic priciples of visual design?
• Can you apply these priciples to create usable online materials?
• Are you able to work with some server-side code? (Don’t worry, we’re aren’t looking for a developer
• Can you bring something else to the table? (Flash, Video, etc.)
• Most importantly: Are you passionate about the work you do?

If you are interested, drop me a line.

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A few quickies. I seem to be falling behind.

• Transparent custom corners and borders Newr and improved rounded corners and such.
• Bookmarks for web designers and developers A great (and growing) of links. Good stuff. Particularly in the CSS section.
• Zebra Tables EnhancedNice, usable tables for looking up data.

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The bad news is, I’m not finished hacking my website back together. The good news is that when I am finished, not only will the site be upgraded to XHTML and wordpress 1.5, but it will also have a visual redesign. In the mean time, here are some more links:

• What is Line Height? In case you were wondering, here is a great explanation
• How to style a definition list I still think navigation should be an unordered list, but this is an interesting approach.
• Usability testing without a budget See? Even you can prevent confused users.
• Wordpress Theme Browser Since deciding to upgrade to version 1.5, this site has helped quite a bit.
• CSS Organization Tip This is a great idea. I look forward to more tips from Doug Bowman.

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Talk to your audience. The rule to remember here is, don’t let that third person come between you and your trainee.

Most web pages today have incorporated a casual (not sloppy!) conversational style. Internet users expect a different style than their textbooks; less didactic and more conversational

So, make the effort to write in second person (“you’ll want to keep a dairy of your coaching meetings”) or the first person (“I’ve always kept a dairy of my coaching meetings.”) Second person is more direct about what you want your trainee to do, because you directly tell them.

First person is informal, but it’s really all about you, isn’t it? The first person lays out your personal reactions and actions, requiring your trainee to make the inference that they should do it. I use second person in most of my writing, except when training deans or faculty, who might resent beeing told what to do.

Third person writing (“a dairy of your coaching meetings should be kept”) makes your text sit back from the reader. And, coupled with the life-sucking passive voice, your words are deadly dull. This is more the teacher than the Dutch Uncle talking to them.

Your writing style should be more like this

(graphic of two people sitting across each other at a table)

not this

(someone at a roster, high above the person, lecturing).

Here’s a writing sample from our sexual harassment course.

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