How to Learn Dreamweaver

Adobe Dreamweaver is a downloadable program used to create websites. Deciding how to learn this program depends on your learning style and personal preferences. The number of options for learning Dreamweaver might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, and classes to explore. 

Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning Dreamweaver so you can decide how you’d like to get started.

What is Dreamweaver?

Dreamweaver is a downloadable Adobe software program used for designing websites and webpages. It works with either Windows or Mac. Using Dreamweaver, designers can create their own websites from scratch or use the provided starter template pages. The program integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, making importing content from any Adobe app easy.

With Dreamweaver, there are two different ways to design. Users without any knowledge of HTML can use live view, where Dreamweaver generates the required code and displays the content as it will look in a web browser. Users who know HTML can type their code into the program’s code editor. These users will also be able to take advantage of Dreamweaver’s more advanced design options.

This application was created in 1997 and became a popular web design tool. However, in recent years, Dreamweaver has decreased in popularity, with many designers opting for programs such as Visual Studio Code or WordPress instead. It is still used by some Web Designers, though the overall percentage of websites created with Dreamweaver is estimated to be small. Dreamweaver is most popular among people who already have Adobe Creative Cloud or want to stay within the Adobe ecosystem.

Read more about what Dreamweaver is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Dreamweaver?

Web Designers create and maintain websites. In some cases, one person is responsible for an entire website, while in other cases, several team members may work on the job. Knowing how to use Dreamweaver or another web design program can help a designer get started in the field of web design. Web Designers are needed in almost every industry since the majority of businesses and organizations now have websites. US News ranked web design number six in its list of Best Technology Jobs of 2022.

There are many different specialties within the field of web design. Front End Developers specialize in creating the part of the website that users see and interact with, such as the overall layout and individual features like logos or links. Back End Developers work on things that the user does not interact with but are essential to the website's function, like creating and maintaining the database. User experience (UX) design is another job related to web design. A UX Designer ensures that website users have the best experience possible. This includes ensuring that a website is intuitive and easy to use and that the experience is enjoyable for the user.

People with web design knowledge can also work in many other jobs. For example, some Web Designers end up as Application Designers, who develop applications for specific devices such as computers or mobile phones. Information Architects help make information on a website easier to find and understand. Visual Designers are responsible for the aesthetics of a website and work on things such as making sure it engages users. Overall, there are many ways to utilize knowledge of web design. 

In-Person Dreamweaver Training

Many people find in-person training the best way to master Dreamweaver or other web design programs. A significant advantage of learning in person is that students receive live instruction from a teacher who can explain complex concepts and more easily understand whether a student needs extra help. Students are more likely to connect with other students in a live classroom, which can lead to additional learning opportunities. Yet another advantage of live instruction is that students are typically in a focused learning environment with minimal distractions.

However, not all students opt for in-person training. Only certain cities have live web design classes, so for some people, live training is not an option. Live training also runs on set schedules, and people with full-time jobs or otherwise busy schedules might need a more flexible schooling option.

For those who are able to enroll in live training, Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool is a good way to find in-person Dreamweaver classes nearby. Noble Desktop doesn’t teach Dreamweaver but offers many live training classes for other popular web design programs. These classes occur at its New York City campus, located near several public transportation hubs.

Live Online Dreamweaver Training

Some people find that live online classes perfectly combine live interaction and flexibility. In these types of classes, students receive live instruction and the benefits that come from connecting with an instructor, but they have the flexibility to attend from any location that they choose. Students who choose live online classes have many more class options than in-person classes. Many also like that they can network with classmates who often live all over the country or even around the world.

Yet, attending classes online can also have some disadvantages. Students who learn at home may not have access to the same tools that students get in a live classroom setting, such as computer labs and the latest software. They may also face more distractions at home. Finally, like in-person classes, live online courses run at set times, so students still need to follow a strict schedule.

Students looking for live online Dreamweaver classes can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool, which provides a list of available options. There are no live online Dreamweaver classes at Noble Desktop, but there are plenty of other live online web design classes.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Those who want to learn more about Dreamweaver and other web design programs, but aren’t ready to commit to a paid class, can find some free introductory courses online through Noble Desktop. For instance, Get Started in Web Design is an overview of how HTML and CSS are used to create webpages. 

For Dreamweaver specifically, there are some free tutorials on other websites. For instance, a YouTube search will return a number of options. Udemy is another place to find a free Dreamweaver tutorial for beginners. Students can also access Adobe’s website to access numerous free Dreamweaver tutorials.

Students who decide to utilize free online courses should be careful to check the reliability and truthfulness of their information. To assess reliability, experts advise checking the author’s credentials or researching the information source. Sometimes, online tutorials and other free resources must be updated or corrected.

Read about more free Dreamweaver videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Dreamweaver Classes

While many prefer to learn Dreamweaver and other web design programs through live classes, some find that on-demand training is a better option. The most significant advantage of on-demand courses is their flexibility. On-demand students can study whenever they want to and from any location with an internet connection. In addition, with an on-demand course, students can get through the curriculum quickly or spread it out over a number of months. Finally, on-demand classes are typically cheaper than live ones.

However, there are some downsides to taking an on-demand class. Since students can choose when to learn and how long they want to spend learning, some find it easy to get distracted or procrastinate. On-demand classes also lack the same level of social interaction between students and teachers in a live learning environment. Overall, on-demand learning can require a higher level of discipline and self-motivation than live education.

Students who choose on-demand learning have many different options. A number of different schools offer on-demand Dreamweaver classes. 

Benefits of Taking a Class

Most people find that Dreamweaver is easiest to learn by enrolling in a class. By taking a class, students can receive instruction from a Dreamweaver expert and ask questions about anything they find difficult or confusing. While the application is beginner-friendly, experienced users consistently report that learning it can still be challenging. Users with no prior knowledge of web design are unlikely to find Dreamweaver easy to learn without help.

Dreamweaver has many advanced features that require coding knowledge. To make the learning experience even more manageable and to master Dreamweaver fully, users will need to know the fundamentals of coding. Students without coding experience can take a coding class. There are many options to fit different needs and different schedules. For instance, Noble Desktop offers a course in HTML & CSS that runs for two or three days.

Since web design involves creating visual elements, understanding design principles can be very helpful to a Web Designer. Designers who understand how the different components affect the viewer can manipulate those elements to create more effective designs. Some students enroll in a more extended web design class that covers design principles.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different types of classes available to help beginners learn Dreamweaver, you might need clarification on which one is best for you. Everyone has different learning styles and preferences, and you can experiment with multiple tools to see which one feels right for you. One of the great things about directing your own learning is that you get to pick which combination of tools you prefer; you don’t have to stick with what a teacher chooses.

It’s also essential to consider your current schedule before selecting a learning method. If you have a lot of responsibilities like a full-time job or family commitments, you may not be able to devote time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time every day. In this case, a self-paced class or video tutorials may be better since you can access them when your schedule allows. On the other hand, those with a more flexible schedule may prefer a structured course offered in-person or live online. 

Why Learn Dreamweaver?

After learning Dreamweaver or another web design program, a designer can create or edit websites. Websites have become an essential part of business and communication around the world. A website is a way to showcase a product, business, or other types of organizations and to create public awareness of it. It also allows members of the public to research that brand or entity. For these reasons, most companies now have a website, and many without one plan to create one in the future. As a result, website design is a valuable and desirable skill. 

Not only are websites needed in almost every industry, but people with the skills to build good websites are particularly valuable. A website’s design can have a significant impact on the audience. For instance, a good design can attract people and give them confidence in the site. In contrast, a bad design can frustrate or deter people from a website. There are many employment opportunities for Web Designers who can create good sites.

Read more about why you should learn Dreamweaver.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

How difficult it is to learn Dreamweaver depends on how much web design knowledge a student already has. Dreamweaver functions so that it’s accessible for people who don’t know much about web design. For instance, rather than writing code, designers can use existing templates and drag-and-drop features. However, many Dreamweaver users comment that while the program’s basic features can be relatively easy to use, it is more challenging to master the more advanced features of Dreamweaver. This is especially true if the user has no prior web design knowledge. So while it can be reasonably easy to master the basics of Dreamweaver quickly, users who want to get the most out of the program will need to invest more time learning how to use all of its features.

Dreamweaver users do not need to know HTML, CSS, or other programming languages to use this application. However, it can be helpful. Many people report that the Dreamweaver learning curve can be steep for those without HTML and CSS coding experience. In addition, designers who use Dreamweaver without prior programming experience may need help troubleshooting any problems they encounter as they build their websites.

To get Dreamweaver, users need to pay a monthly subscription fee. The application is part of Adobe Creative Cloud. Adobe charges $20.99 per month for Dreamweaver only. Users can also choose to subscribe to all Creative Cloud apps for $54.99 per month. The business price for Dreamweaver is $35.99 per month per license or $84.99 per month for all Creative Cloud apps. 

Read about how difficult it is to learn Dreamweaver.

Learn Dreamweaver with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop teaches hands-on web design courses in a variety of formats, with something to fit every type of schedule and learning style. Every class is small and led by expert instructors. Noble also offers a free retake for all of its courses. With the free retake, students can retake a course once within a year without paying for it again. This can be an excellent way to gain additional web design skills.

One popular type of class at Noble Desktop is a web design bootcamp. Bootcamps are intensive programs that teach skills quickly and focus on preparing graduates to use those skills in the workplace. In 2020, tech company HackerRank surveyed 116,000 developers from 162 countries about coding bootcamps and found that about a third of hiring managers hired developers who gained their skills from a bootcamp. Noble Desktop teaches many bootcamps related to web design, including Visual Design Portfolio Bootcamp.

Students looking for a more in-depth web design course can enroll in Noble’s Web Design Certificate. This comprehensive program takes six weeks full-time or five months part-time and teaches students to build websites using WordPress. Students in the certificate program will also learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript coding languages and Figma for webpage layouts.

Key Insights

Learning Dreamweaver can help you get started in the field of web design. There are lots of different ways to learn this application.

• For many people, in-person classes are the easiest way to learn Dreamweaver or any new program.
• A live online class is another good option if you can’t attend an in-person class.
• On-demand classes are the most flexible type of instruction. However, you might find an on-demand class less engaging than a live one.
• The best learning method will depend on your unique situation and learning preferences.
  
  

If you’re interested in learning Dreamweaver or another web design program, you can visit the Noble Desktop website for more information about these different class options.