Introduction to CSS3 from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Week One: Getting Started with Simple Styling

Welcome to Introduction to CSS3! In this course you will learn how to style your pages by taking advantage of the power of CSS3. We will focus on both proper syntax (how to write your styling rules) and the importance of accessibility design (making sure that your style enhances your site, not make it harder to navigate). It is so important that you jump in ready to make mistakes and typos in this course. The only way you will really understand the material is to practice typing it in on your own as often as possible.

Week Two: Advanced Selectors, Display, and Designing for Accessibility

Colors and fonts are just the start to styling your page. The nice thing about starting with these properties is that they are usually very straightforward to implement. You pick a color and boom - instant, expected results. This week you will learn more about something called the display property. If you took the HTML course with us you know that some elements (like images) can be displayed side-by-side on the screen while others (like paragraphs) are placed underneath each other. I really like showing people the grid and flex properties to give you a little more power about where things can go on the screen. After learning how to style links and lists we will talk about more advanced selectors . Have you ever noticed on a web page that some links are blue and others are purple, depending upon if you have clicked on the links? How is it possible to style some anchor tags and not others?

Week Three: The Box Model and Positioning

This week has my favorite styling -- the box model. Learning how to add borders, padding, and margin can really make your page attractive. We end this week with the subject of positioning -- how to get elements to stick to a certain part of your page. Think about annoying pop-up ads. How do the programmers get them to stay RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCREEN despite the fact that you keep trying to scroll them away.

Week Four: Pseudo-classes, Pseudo-elements, and a Final Project

This week will be heavy on demos. You will learn how to style pseudo-classes (e.g. a link that has been visiting, an element that has the mouse hovering over it) and pseudo-elements (e.g. the first-letter of a heading, the first line of a paragraph). These elements are not difficult to style, but do require careful coding. The final step to completing this course is the completion of the peer-graded project. You will have the chance to demonstrate the ability to follow styling guidelines while still putting your own personal touch on the project. Just remember, you need to validate your work for proper syntax and accessibility.

Week Five: Where To Go From Here?

If you would like to do more now that you have finished this course, I have a few recommendations. The most important thing is that you continue to practice your skills and always have "something" that you are working on.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a strong grounding in beginner-level CSS concepts

Instructed by recognized CSS3 expert Colleen van Lent

Provides a solid stepping stone for learners to develop more advanced web design skills

Course is part of a specialization in web design, indicating comprehensiveness

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials

Requires access to a laptop or desktop computer, which may pose a barrier to some learners

Reviews summary

Css for beginners

learners say this CSS3 course teaches skills for building attractive websites with the latest web technologies. According to students, the course is well organized, begins with basics, and gradually introduces more advanced concepts. They highly praise the instructor, describing her as enthusiastic, clear, and encouraging. Many reviewers also enjoyed the interactive assignments, which build on the same website throughout the course.

the course emphasizes the importance of making websites accessible to all users

"This is one of the best CSS course I have ever come across. The lecturer gave links to many amazing resources that help widen knowledge on some core concepts in CSS3. Thanks to Cousera and Collen Van Lent for the amazing course."

"It is really one of the most interesting and interactive course online I have ever attended. Professor Pelt is really a great teacher."

"It was a great class. I had never done anything with CSS, and I now feel very confident knowing a lot more about CSS."

interactive assignments help learners apply their new skills and receive feedback from peers

"The assignments are perfect to practice what you have learned from previous lessons."

"The Code Together activities really help as do the optional resources."

"I especially appreciated the opportunities to "code together" throughout the course."

the instructor is knowledgeable, clear, and supportive

"The lovely instructor is very knowledgeable and has clearly a long teaching experience, she always makes sure that the pace is right, examples are plenty and opportunities to practice what you just learned are given at every step."

"Professor van Lent is a great instructor. She really knows her subject material, presents complex information in an easy to understand manner, encourages her students to expand their knowledge beyond the provided course materials, encourages students to try...make mistakes...and keep trying!"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to CSS3 with these activities:

Review HTML basics

Show steps

Ensure a solid understanding of HTML tags and structure to enhance your CSS implementation.

Browse courses on HTML

Show steps

Review HTML syntax and elements
Practice creating simple HTML documents
Validate your HTML code using online tools or the browser's developer tools

Organize your CSS notes

Show steps

Improve understanding and retention by consolidating and organizing your CSS notes.

Browse courses on CSS

Show steps

Gather your class notes, tutorials, and other resources
Sort and categorize the information logically
Create summaries or cheat sheets for key concepts

Practice CSS selectors and properties

Show steps

Build familiarity with CSS syntax and rules to improve accuracy and speed up development.

Browse courses on CSS Selectors

Show steps

Write CSS rules to style text, links, and headings
Use selectors to target specific elements and their descendants
Apply various properties to change appearance, such as font size, color, and background
Validate your CSS using online tools or the browser's developer tools

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Follow CSS layout tutorials

Show steps

Learn best practices for creating responsive and flexible layouts using Flexbox and Grid.

Browse courses on Flexbox

Show steps

Find tutorials on CSS layout techniques
Follow step-by-step instructions to implement layouts
Experiment with different layout options and values
Review the code and understand the underlying principles

Find a CSS mentor

Show steps

Gain personalized guidance and advice from an experienced CSS professional.

Browse courses on CSS

Show steps

Join online communities or forums dedicated to CSS
Attend industry events or workshops
Reach out to CSS developers on social media or through email
Ask your instructor or colleagues for recommendations

Create a CSS style guide

Show steps

Develop a personalized style guide to ensure consistency and maintainability in your CSS projects.

Browse courses on CSS Best Practices

Show steps

Gather relevant CSS resources and best practices
Establish naming conventions, color palettes, and typography rules
Document your style guide and share it with your team
Use the style guide as a reference when writing CSS code

Build a personal website

Show steps

Apply your CSS skills to create a practical project and showcase your abilities.

Show steps

Plan the website's structure and content
Implement the layout and styling using CSS
Add interactive elements and functionality
Test the website's responsiveness and accessibility
Deploy the website and share it with others

Contribute to a CSS open-source project

Show steps

Enhance your CSS skills and make a real-world contribution by working on open-source CSS projects.

Browse courses on CSS

Show steps

Find a suitable CSS project on platforms like GitHub
Review the project's documentation and code
Identify areas where you can make improvements or add new features
Implement your changes and submit a pull request
Receive feedback from the project maintainers and collaborate on improving your contributions

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to CSS3 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Designer

As a Web Designer, you will be responsible for the overall look and feel of a website. This will include using CSS to style the website and make it visually appealing. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can help you build a strong foundation in CSS, which is an essential skill for Web Designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Front-End Developer

In the role of a Front-End Developer, you will be responsible for the visual and interactive elements of a website. This will include using CSS to style the website and make it visually appealing. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can help you build a solid foundation in CSS, which is an essential skill for Front-End Developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

Web Developer

In the role of a Web Developer, you will be expected to turn website designs into functional, interactive websites. This will include applying CSS to enhance the visual elements of the site, such as colors, fonts, and layouts. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can help you build a foundation in CSS, which is an essential skill for Web Developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Interaction Designer

In the role of an Interaction Designer, you will be responsible for designing the user experience of a website or application. This will include using CSS to style the interface and make it visually appealing. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can help you build a foundation in CSS, which is a valuable skill for Interaction Designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

UI Designer

As a UI Designer, you will be responsible for designing the user interface of a website or application. This will include using CSS to style the interface and make it visually appealing. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can help you build a foundation in CSS, which is a valuable skill for UI Designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer

UX Designer

As a UX Designer, your focus will be on the user experience of a website or application. This will include ensuring that the site is easy to navigate and visually appealing. CSS is a valuable tool for UX Designers, as it allows them to control the look and feel of a website. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a solid foundation in CSS, allowing you to enhance your UX designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Product Designer

In the role of a Product Designer, you will be responsible for designing and developing digital products. This may include working with a team of engineers and designers to create products that are both visually appealing and functional. CSS can be a useful tool for Product Designers, as it allows them to control the look and feel of their products. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a foundational understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as a Product Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Graphic designer

In the role of a Graphic Designer, you will be responsible for creating visual concepts and designing visual elements. This may include creating graphics for websites, social media, or print. CSS can be a useful tool for Graphic Designers, as it allows them to control the look and feel of their designs. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can help provide you with a foundational understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as a Graphic Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Art Director

As an Art Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the visual aspects of a project. This may include working with designers, photographers, and illustrators to create a cohesive visual identity. CSS can be a useful tool for Art Directors, as it allows them to control the look and feel of a website or application. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as an Art Director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

UX Researcher

As a UX Researcher, you will be responsible for conducting research to understand the needs of users. This may include using CSS to create prototypes and mockups of websites and applications. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as a UX Researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Researcher

Information Architect

As an Information Architect, you will be responsible for organizing and structuring the content of a website or application. This will include using CSS to style the content and make it visually appealing. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as an Information Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Content Strategist

As a Content Strategist, you will be responsible for planning and creating content for a website or application. This may include using CSS to style the content and make it visually appealing. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as a Content Strategist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Strategist

Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you will be responsible for writing documentation for software and other technical products. This may include using CSS to style the documentation and make it visually appealing. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as a Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Creative Director

As a Creative Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the creative vision of a project. This may include working with a team of designers, writers, and developers to create a cohesive and visually appealing product. CSS can be a useful tool for Creative Directors, as it allows them to control the look and feel of a website or application. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as a Creative Director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Software Engineer

In the role of a Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. This may include using CSS to style the user interface of the application. In this course, Introduction to CSS3, you will learn the basics of CSS, including how to write CSS rules, test code, and establish good programming habits. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of CSS, which can be beneficial in your role as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer