online classes

im only 14 so dont have oppurtunities to take classes on all this stuff and teaching myself and having you guys teach me is taking a while so i was wondering if anyone knew of some good online courses i could take for these subjects cause i could probly pay it as long as its not too expensive
Javascript(not too important i can learn this on my own)
Actionscript(I think i really need a course on this)
DHTML(could use a course on this)
Photoshop(not a full course from beginner to expert just like an art class with photoshop maybe)
i dunno if they even offer classes about this stuff online but who better to ask then this community

You have all the time in the world. I started this kind of thing when i was 15, and now i'm sorta ok at it. You just need tutorials, tutorials and more tutorials, the web has millions. That's all i ever did last year, was looking at tutorials and other people's artwork. this forum is a great advantage to young people because we all learn styles etc from each other. You don't need classes, trust me, most fo them suck and it always turns out that you know how to do most fo the stuff. Buy books, i have several books on several programs. Get the Colin Mook book i recommended, and there are a ton of JS and PS books out there too. they are cheaper than online tut's by far, and you'll always have them. Dont jump into things, just relax, you've got plenty of time for learning, these programs are not hard, actionscript is easy and is related to JS in some cases. Think it over, you'll be a kick-ass designer, don't worry. Get searching for tuts and books.

The local colleges should offer classes for high school students.

In my experience, taking classes for this stuff is really pointless. Of course I also do well teaching myself things, so you may be a little different. But I have taken some classes in college, and most of them use outdated software and technology, and/or the teacher knows less than I do. The educational system in most cases moves much too slow to keep up with technology, so you would be better off just learning online or buying books. Most good books will have walk-thrus and lesson plans of some sort, so you can find something that will help you. Most photoshop classes cost like $500 at least, and that is a ridiculous price considering that most of the time they just show you how to use the tools and do other very basic operations that you could learn in 5 minutes by example from following a tutorial. Don't waste your money on classes.

Originally posted by deker
In my experience, taking classes for this stuff is really pointless. Of course I also do well teaching myself things, so you may be a little different. But I have taken some classes in college, and most of them use outdated software and technology, and/or the teacher knows less than I do.

yeah but you're not normal :D not everyone knows as much as you do, so most people might actually learn something from a class. I agree that they aren't as good as learning from yourself though.

I went to school for design but I was lucky, I had excellent teachers, and the course structure was excellent. Alot of schools dont provide this. But school only got me going, taught me the basics and fundamentals. PS is so vast you really need to get into it yourself and start pressing buttons. Dont want to sound too cheese, but this site has drastically advanced my PS knowledge. As well, there are alot of other great sites with tutorials etc... My advice, buy a book, read the forums, do the tuts, dont get discouraged and it will all come together. Design school will be good if it is your chosen field, but you are young, hold off skool till you are sure of what you want to do.

This forum is very good for advancing in skill...In 2 months I went from this to this. :D

not that you want my opinion, but I'm gonna give it anyway.

I'm 26. If I were 14, I'd be busy being 14, not wanting to be 26.

In other words, slooooowww down. Just have fun with it, deal with "needing to learn" later when you have car payments, mortgages and kids of your own.

Take some drawing classes, maybe some art history, or literature or history, etc. - that way, you'll learn about culture and society, giving you some direction in the future, then you can focus your interests.

Technology (Photoshop included) is a *tool* to help you with projects. Even the best photoshop artists in the world are useless without a task, or a problem to solve. Other classes will help you to develop skills for knowing how and when to use technology as a means to an end...

know what I mean? (I think I confused myself...)

rofl cookie, ballgame owns your grab pic by miles

I didn't even start using photoshop until I was 21. Now I'm 25 and have been working in the field of graphic design using photoshop for 2 years now. Doesn't take too long to learn the program, IMO. I'd say artistic prowess is much more a necessity than knowing photoshop inside and out at your age. Draw, paint, and do other stuff that will build up your skill. Your artistic skill definitely transfers over to photoshop and plays a role in how well you can use the program.