Whether you’re a complete newbie or a seasoned pro, the one thing we’ve all been educated about is that knowledge is power. Especially free knowledge. Am I right, or am I right? Right? Right? In that spirit, I want to pass some knowledge to you. Well, I’d like to pass some knowledge on where to get knowledge (which in itself is knowledge!). If you’re still following me, I’ve discovered some free classes for designers to help add some wrinkles to your brain.

Remember, any “extra” course/ class/ workshop/seminar in which you participate can go on your resume as extra skills. Extra skills = Extra promotion = Extra $$$. In today’s economy, it probably just means that you’ll barely be able to keep your job…just like all the rest of us. Think of it this way: learn something new and maybe it will keep you from being the one laid off. I just saved your job! Man, you owe me.

Note: The classes below are FREE; you are NOT required to be a registered student at the universities to enroll.

General

• Multimedia & World Wide Web [DePaul University]
• Intermediate Web Development [College of Charleston]
• Web Programming [University of Washington]
• Data Mining [MIT]
• Electronic Publishing and Design [College of Charleston]
• Webpage Authoring [Sofia]
• Web Programming, Development, & Data Integration [Purdue]
• Weekly Web Design Class [About]
• Full Web Building Tutorials [w3schools.com]
• 3D effects in Graphic Design [webdesignfromscratch.com]
• Logo Design [webdesignfromscratch.com]
• Web Page Layout [webdesignfromscratch.com]
• Launching the Site [xtrain.com]

Design & Visualization Fundamentals

• Digital Typography [MIT]
• Color Theory 101 [Planet Photoshop]
• Computer Graphics [MIT]
• Information Visualization [University of British Columbia]
• Historical Foundations of Visual Technology [DePaul]
• Advanced Computer Graphics [University of Virginia]
• Principles of Design [MIT]
• Algorithms for Computer Animation [MIT]
• Fundamentals of Computational Media Design [MIT]
• Design [Open University]
• Designing Sociable Media [MIT]
• Introduction to the Elements of Design [About]
• Art of Color [MIT]
• Free Adobe Sample Courses [adobe.com]
• QuarkEd Training Course [quark.com]
• Color Theory 101 [planetphotoshop.com]
• What is Graphic Design? [xtrain.com]

Education

• Advanced Topics in Learning Object Design and Reuse [Utah State University]
• Intro to Instructional Design [Utah State University]
• Accessibility of eLearning [Open University]
• Seminar in Instructional Design [San Diego State University]

Usability

• People-centered Designing [Open University]
• Human-Computer Interaction Seminar [Stanford]
• Designing for Humans [Gresham College]
• Human Computer Interaction [University of Washington]
• Accessibility in Interaction Design [Open University]
• Ars Synthetica: Designs for Human Practice [Connexions]
• Human-Computer Interaction [Central Queensland University]
• Designing the User Interface: Text, Color, Images, Moving Images and Sound [Open University]

Tools & Technologies

• Illustrator CS2-Live Trace and Live Paint [DesignMentor]
• Java Programming [Sofia]
• Three-Dimensional Modeling, Animation and Rendering Using Blender 3D Software [Tufts]
• Creating Interactive Media [University of Southern Queensland]
• Multimedia Web Design [University of Michigan]
• Introduction to Flash MX [Sofia]
• Intermediate HTML [Suite 101]
• XML Foundations [Berkeley]
• Web Page Authoring [Sofia]
• Software Engineering for Web Applications [ArsDigita University]
• Introduction to Multimedia Programming [Monash]
• Software Engineering for Web Applications [MIT]
• Flash Button Tutorial [designertoday.com]
• Illustrator CS2 Live Trace Tutorial [sessions.edu]
• Color Correction Tutorial [sessions.edu]
• Adobe Bridge Tutorial [sessions.edu]
• Paint Shop Pro Colorizing Tutorial [designertoday.com]
• After Effects CS3 Tutorial [designertoday.com]
• Pen Tool Tutorial [planetphotoshop.com]
• Animated Transitions Tutorial [planetphotoshop.com]
• Rain Effect Tutorial [tutorialman.com]
• Coloring Artwork Tutorial [tutorialman.com]
• Color Balancing Tutorial [tutorialman.com]
• Photoshop Tutorial: Audio Interface [absolutecross.com]
• Flash Tutorial: Revolving Text [absolutecross.com]
• Paint Shop Pro Tutorial: Transparent GIFs [absolutecross.com]
• Converting Photography into Vector Art [xtrain.com]

Internet

• The Future of the Internet [Stanford]
• Communicating in Cyberspace [MIT]
• The Semantic Web [MIT]
• Advanced Internet and Web Services [University of Washington]
• Foundations of American Cyberculture [Berkeley]
• Search Engines: Technology, Society and Business [Berkeley]

Legal

• Ethics and the Law on the Electronic Frontier [MIT]
• Introduction to Copyright Law [MIT]

—

Rena Prizant is a Copywriter, Ad Creative and mammal in the Chicago area, professionally word playing since 2002. Rena writes smart, engaging, dynamic copy for a broad range of mediums and industries; and loves helping start-up’s get their branding feet. Visit www.RenaPrizant.com or Twitter WriteLeft.

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