My Top 5 Web Design Audio Podcasts
Friday, 13 March 2009
One of the greatest challenges in any tech job is learning new skills and keeping up to date. The nature of website design makes this especially difficult. Time is always of the essence. Deadlines are always just around the corner. So how do you stay current?
Now more than ever there are many options for learning. The web is full of information and tutorials. There are many great books and specialist publishers. Even training courses have added flexibility with both online and offline options. However, as a walker and runner I often find I have a fair amount of ‘dead time’ that I could really use in a constructive way. This is where audio podcasts come in. They give me the opportunity to learn while I am on-the-go.
The following are my favourite, most listened to podcasts that cover the wide field of web design.
Boagworld
I am avoiding putting this list in any particular order, however I have to express a preference when it comes to Boagworld. This podcast was launched just as I was redirecting my career towards web design. As such I have been listening to it since show 1. In that time it has covered a huge range of subjects with the quality getting better week on week. The hosts, Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington, have a great rapport and are very entertaining. They are also very committed to getting a new show out on a weekly basis. This reliability is one of the shows strengths. In recent months contributions (in the form of interviews) have came from some of the great and good in the web design field. As the introduction to each show states, it is for those “who design, develop or run websites on a daily basis.” [boagworld.com]
Rissington
While the Rissington podcast isn’t reliable or full of quality content it is laugh-out-loud funny! Presented by the legends that are Jon Hicks and John Oxton the podcast is described as “Gardeners Question Time, but for geeks.” Listeners send in questions which the hosts answer in their own hilarious style. While the core of the questions relate to web design there are always a few random ones thrown in for fun. John and Jon know their field and are a great source of knowledge. [therissingtonpodcast.co.uk]
SitePoint
Having already produced some of the best web design books and a brilliant website, SitePoint have recently launched their own podcast. Hosted by Kevin Yank the show uses a panel of experts to discuss web-related news, events and topics. Recent podcasts have covered areas such as social media, Twitter, IE6 and freelancing. As with most panel-based shows, it is good to hear different people’s perspectives on current issues. This show won’t teach you how to do things but it will keep you up to date and informed. [sitepoint.com]
Boxes and Arrows
This is a podcast I have only started listening to, however, it is usually full of expert advice from the user experience world. Unlike the others listed, the show provides audio recordings of presentations made at different events around the world. Some are very intellectual and theoretical while others are practical. The former are great if you like to be challenged and hear different ideas while the later can be really useful for increasing your knowledge in the UX field. [boxesandarrows.com]
Freelance Switch
By including this podcast I’m deviating slightly from the web design field. However, I find this podcast really useful for the business aspects of producing websites. Each week a panel of freelancers from different fields discuss how to be a successful freelancer. Once again it is great to learn from other people’s perspectives and experience. I can recommend it if you are already a freelancer or if you are considering that career route. [freelanceswitch.com]
It seems strange to me that there aren’t more podcasts available on the subject of web design. However, these are worth checking out. Also, watch out in the next few months for the ModCast which will be presented by Elliot Jay Stocks and Andy Clarke.
One of the greatest challenges in any tech job is learning new skills and keeping up to date. The nature of website design makes this especially difficult. Time is always of the essence. Deadlines are always just around the corner. So how do you stay current?
Now more than ever there are many options for learning. The web is full of information and tutorials. There are many great books and specialist publishers. Even training courses have added flexibility with both online and offline options. However, as a walker and runner I often find I have a fair amount of ‘dead time’ that I could really use in a constructive way. This is where audio podcasts come in. They give me the opportunity to learn while I am on-the-go.
The following are my favourite, most listened to podcasts that cover the wide field of web design.
Boagworld
I am avoiding putting this list in any particular order, however I have to express a preference when it comes to Boagworld. This podcast was launched just as I was redirecting my career towards web design. As such I have been listening to it since show 1. In that time it has covered a huge range of subjects with the quality getting better week on week. The hosts, Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington, have a great rapport and are very entertaining. They are also very committed to getting a new show out on a weekly basis. This reliability is one of the shows strengths. In recent months contributions (in the form of interviews) have came from some of the great and good in the web design field. As the introduction to each show states, it is for those “who design, develop or run websites on a daily basis.” [boagworld.com]
Rissington
While the Rissington podcast isn’t reliable or full of quality content it is laugh-out-loud funny! Presented by the legends that are Jon Hicks and John Oxton the podcast is described as “Gardeners Question Time, but for geeks.” Listeners send in questions which the hosts answer in their own hilarious style. While the core of the questions relate to web design there are always a few random ones thrown in for fun. John and Jon know their field and are a great source of knowledge. [therissingtonpodcast.co.uk]
SitePoint
Having already produced some of the best web design books and a brilliant website, SitePoint have recently launched their own podcast. Hosted by Kevin Yank the show uses a panel of experts to discuss web-related news, events and topics. Recent podcasts have covered areas such as social media, Twitter, IE6 and freelancing. As with most panel-based shows, it is good to hear different people’s perspectives on current issues. This show won’t teach you how to do things but it will keep you up to date and informed. [sitepoint.com]
Boxes and Arrows
This is a podcast I have only started listening to, however, it is usually full of expert advice from the user experience world. Unlike the others listed, the show provides audio recordings of presentations made at different events around the world. Some are very intellectual and theoretical while others are practical. The former are great if you like to be challenged and hear different ideas while the later can be really useful for increasing your knowledge in the UX field. [boxesandarrows.com]
Freelance Switch
By including this podcast I’m deviating slightly from the web design field. However, I find this podcast really useful for the business aspects of producing websites. Each week a panel of freelancers from different fields discuss how to be a successful freelancer. Once again it is great to learn from other people’s perspectives and experience. I can recommend it if you are already a freelancer or if you are considering that career route. [freelanceswitch.com]
It seems strange to me that there aren’t more podcasts available on the subject of web design. However, these are worth checking out. Also, watch out in the next few months for the ModCast which will be presented by Elliot Jay Stocks and Andy Clarke.
posted by dN@redNests at
12:48
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