Where and how to become a self-taught designer/developer✍(and many other areas)
Tags: beginners, learning, career
Published: 2019-11-19 08:53:30

<h4>Hello, users! 👋</h4>

Today I want to share with all of you a list of **platforms and courses** that helped me become a **self-taught designer/developer**, and where you can find **many other areas** that may be of your interest.

Maybe you want to learn new techs, new delicious recipes, how to take care of your garden... But **where** can you learn *online* and *at your pace*?

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/26DNkS7hlwrMPrOpi/giphy.gif"/>

Let me show you where I **started learning**.

<h3>❗️ATTENTION❗️</h3>
You should **NEVER** replace formal and official education for online platforms and courses, even though **both are complementary**. I never had enough money to pay official education and I had to rely on this kind of *self-taught* methods to get a job and keep growing *until* I could pay my formal education. If you can afford it, think about it. Else, you must put so much effort on your self-taught education. Consider that.

<h3 id="index">Who's this post for?</h3>

**Everyone**. Are you working? Are you studying? Are you a human? Then every resource mentioned in this article may be useful for you.
**Not all of these resources are focused in techpeople**, give them a try.

𝓛et's go:

➱<a href="#sololearn"> SoloLearn</a>
➱<a href="#udemy"> Udemy</a>
➱<a href="#domestika"> Doméstika</a>
➱<a href="#crehana"> Crehana</a>
➱<a href="#hbundle"> HumbleBundle</a>
➱<a href="#khanacademy"> Khan Academy</a>
➱<a href="#coursera"> Coursera</a>
➱<a href="#duolingo"> Duolingo</a>
➱<a href="#platzi"> Platzi</a>
➱<a href="#devto"> Dev.to</a>
➱<a href="#finalnotes"> Final notes</a>


<h2 id="sololearn">❝SoloLearn❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/7ean1sfy37bwscww0ey7.png)

I was in high school when I discovered this amazing **web** and their **app**. 

**SoloLearn**'s method is simple. If you want to learn programming languages in an easy and fast way, this should be definitely your first option.

The areas we must *highlight* about their webpage are, of course, the '**Courses**' section:

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/lolijih9elfj2rqcj5cp.png)
<h6>They have a lot of courses.</h6>

And their '**Code Playground**' section, where you'll find a lot of samples and creations of other users where you can, well, *play* around.

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/gk7jd9guobzmnbl6qkg6.png)

You will also receive **a certificate** if you finish a course. Their amazing **App** will let you keep learning in your way to school, home, work, etc.

I recommend this option if you want **your first contact** with a new programming language to be *easy and fast*, or if you want to **prove your knowledge** about a programming language.

You can check the site <a href="https://www.sololearn.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="udemy">❝Udemy❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/psimee151j2igsppj00o.png)

Here it comes. Either if you are or you're planning to be a *techcolleague* or you want to learn pilates, **Udemy** presents many options for you.

*For example*: I'm learning C, Design, UX&UI and German in this platform.

As you can see, they have a lot of *categories* with infinite courses by different amazing instructors from **all over the world**:

![Udemy's Categories](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/he9uot34ys6gpr340weh.png)

You have plenty of **filters** to match your interests, preferences...

![Some courses](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/wi4zt05m9tkk5d0wog0w.png)

**BUT WOAH, hold on, haven't you seen those prices!?** It's okay, worry not. They have **incredible sales** almost every week, where a **199€** course will cost **11€ or lower**. Not kiddin. (*I'm doing the reference in € because I'm in Spain, but I assure you, price is <b>not</b> a problem*).

You will also find **totally free** courses. Both, payment and free courses, have a completion certificate that you can show off everywhere.

Let me recommend you some **great courses** that you may check now or in the future:

☞ <a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/sketching-for-ux-designers/">Sketching for UX Designers</a>
☞ <a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/learn-html5-and-css3-from-scratch/">HTML and CSS from scratch</a>
☞ <a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/graphic-design-theory-for-beginners-course/">The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course</a>
☞ <a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/javascript-basics-start-coding-in-5-minutes-2019/">JavaScript for begginers</a>
☞ <a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/react-vs-angular-vs-vuejs-by-example/">React vs Angular vs Vue</a>
☞ <a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/the-complete-app-design-course-ux-and-ui-design/">App Design, UX&UI and Design Thinking</a>
☞ <a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/sasscourse/">Complete SASS/SCSS course</a>

You can check the site <a href="https://www.udemy.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="domestika">❝Doméstika❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/m5a5ihjvv4kpa4luycf7.png)

Doméstika is a very interesting site. You will find **courses**, a very helpful **forum**, even **job offers**.

Why do I **strongly** recommend Doméstika? Because 1) **every** course will give you deep knowledge and will help you build a big project for your *portfolio* with amazing professionals of every area you can imagine and 2) **a lot of professionals** show their techniques and mechanics.

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/eq6u13vkjc4dxtcu5byy.png)

This is the perfect site for those willing to improve their drawing and video editing skills, but you can find other **incredibly awesome** courses like:

☞ <a href="https://www.domestika.org/es/courses/274-conceptualizacion-y-tecnicas-de-ilustracion-digital">Digital illustration techniques and conceptualization</a>, by the amazing <a href="https://rauluriasart.com/">Raúl Urias</a>
☞ <a href="https://www.domestika.org/es/courses/191-direccion-de-arte-digital">Digital Art Direction</a>
☞ <a href="https://www.domestika.org/es/courses/145-tecnicas-de-ilustracion-en-pixel-art">Pixel Art techniques</a>

<h5>Please note, all audios are in Spanish, though you will find English subtitles in the courses.</h5>

You can check the site <a href="https://www.domestika.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="crehana">❝Crehana❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/w3d3gijavwdtnfgsqrz2.png)

This is the only platform I've never used, *however*, I met a lot of individuals that were studying there and they would totally **recommend it**.

An important note would be that this is for **Spanish speakers** only, without translations or subtitles to other languages. They offer their courses based on membership of 30/100/70€ depending on your choice.

I wanted to mention this page in honor to those who recommended it to me in the past.

You can check the site <a href="https://www.crehana.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="hbundle">❝Humble Bundle❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/q271vk7u4fl5kxg66hfy.png)

**Humble Bundle** is a well-known website in the video gaming area. 

They became famous because of their amazing **games bundle**.

They have, however, another incredible feature: they have **book bundles** of every kind, from **game development**, **design**, **comics**, **AI**, **recipes** and more, including videos, tutorials and even free memberships to payment software sometimes.

If you *really* want to **learn by yourself**, keep an eye on these bundles and go for it, pay what you want. You'll find the offers in the '**10 bundles**' tab in the navigation bar.

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/8gq6awz4s1uc1ikoqoro.png)

You can check the site <a href="https://www.humblebundle.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="khanacademy">❝Khan Academy❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/4iewmo4irc5g2lvpmwrf.png)

I just **love** this site.

Have you ever felt that your teachers weren't clear enough? 
Do you feel you need some extra *classes*?

**Khan Academy** is available in English, Spanish, and many other languages. It's an awesome site to learn basic maths, advanced maths, biology, science, computer engineering, **literally** almost everything you can think of.

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/czmasugw2ousj21z4uj6.png)

You can check their **App** too. It's totally **free**, however, you can *donate them* for their awesome work.

You can check the site <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="coursera">❝Coursera❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/9cx1ikq6wpuc1um85nsa.png)

Now. Imagine if Khan Academy could collaborate with **official universities** from all over the world, offering official certificates, masters, degrees, courses, bachelors... Well, then you'd have **Coursera**.

Would you like to do a **Computer Science Master at the University in Arizona** for 15,000$? You can do it from **Coursera**. 

Would you like to do a course *certified by professionals* and **totally free** and post your certificate in *LinkedIn*? You can do it from **Coursera**.

Now, I must do a **warning**. You will find **courses in Spanish**, but also plenty of grades, careers, masters, and courses **in English**.

If you're interested in this option, explore and check all the information in their website.

You can check the site <a href="https://www.coursera.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="duolingo">❝Duolingo❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/c19c05s4e2vllooepavb.png)

Our **beloved Duolingo**...

Since the beginning of times, **English** has been a **must** for the IT area. In **Duolingo** you will be able to learn **lots of languages**, from their site or their **app**, and earn points and prizes with your progress.

It is easy, fun and a competitive way to learn any language. You want to speak **Catalan**, **German**, **Klingon** or **High Valyrian**? This is your place.

You can check the site <a href="https://en.duolingo.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="platzi">❝Platzi❞</h2>

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/bzdg7511ht49n8j10vnr.png)

Now, this is *only* for those who speak native or **very** fluent Spanish, and can understand it without subtitles.

**Platzi** started as an online Academy for Latin America. They are not that old but their quality shines, that's why their success is a study-case for every startup, created by <a href="https://twitter.com/freddier">Freddy Vega</a>.

They cover many areas, from Marketing, UX design to Visual communication, but their big offer stays in the IT area.

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/rmj4olx8q4w4cquefneb.png)

You can buy a course for *30-40€* or pay *275€/year* and get access to their conference all over the world and to **every** course they offer in their platform, without any kind of restriction and with a certification that can be posted in *LinkedIn* and in your wall since they will send it to you.

**Platzi is like a real university**, they have **careers** with **a lot of courses** depending on what you decide to study. Check, for example, the **Front-end Architecture** career:

![Alt Text](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/obniunwcjjy4wyocdxh6.png)

They are creating and publishing new courses monthly, personally I like that they **keep their courses and careers up to date**, including trendy and modern technologies.

I have my own Platzi subscription, so I would **totally** recommend this to you.

You can check the site <a href="https://platzi.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="devto">❝Dev.to❞</h2>

How could we forget about our most important member on the list?

**Here** in Dev.to you will be able to find lots of resources, tutorials, ask for **#help**, **#discuss** your doubts or thoughts, and even ask with the **#explainlikeimfive** tag or show your amazing progress in **#showdev**. 

We have one of the most helpful, welcoming, willing-to-share communities of all time. How could we *skip* that?

If you need anything, search by *keywords* or create a post with the appropriate tag, many heroes will come to the rescue!

To go back to the top list click <a href="#index">here</a>.

<h2 id="finalnotes">Final notes</h2>

📌 Don't **overwork** yourself. **Take your time**. Progress will come but you must be patient with yourself.
📌 Don't replace the **formal education** with *only* **online courses and platforms**.
📌 Learning is important, but it is more important to **take care of yourself**.
📌 Drink a lot of water.
📌 **Share**. Don't forget you were lost once, too.

This is all, dear <b>users</b>.

Do you know any other *platforms*? Would you recommend other *courses*?

I hope you found this post useful. Let's keep coding 💻!