LEARN. MAKE. GET INSPIRED.

Here are some links to learning resources and project ideas. Now go explore!

DIY: DIY is a place to learn lots of new skills independently and with the support of peers.

Instructables: Instructions for all kinds of DIY projects.

Code Academy: Learn how to code. (For adults and teens.)

Code: Learn how to code. (More youth oriented)

Mozilla Webmaker: Fun online learning tools.

Scratch: Fun and easy program for game design and animation. A good way for beginners to learn the concept of code. 

Lynda: Inexpensive online tutorials for software and other skills. Very useful and easy to follow.

Dash: Learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Live in Philadelphia? Checkout the Free Library’s digital learning resources.

 

 

 

INEXPENSIVE & OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARES

Here are some free/cheap tools for audio, video, and photo editing, digital graphics, layouts, 3D modeling and motion graphics, and more. 

Illustration/ Design

SumoPaint: Comparable to Photoshop. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Pixelmator: Comparable to Photoshop. Mac compatible. $14.99

Gimp: Comparable to Photoshop. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

iDraw: For vector drawing. Mac compatible. $24.99

Artboard: For vector drawing. Mac compatible. $29.99

AutoDesk Sketchbook: Drawing tool. Mac/ PC compatible. $2.99/month, $25/year. 

Inkscape: Drawing tool. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Collage and Photo Editor

Fotor: Collage and photo editor. Mac/ PC compatible. Free. 

BeFunky: Collage and photo editor. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Infographics      

infogr.am: Making infographics. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

easel.ly: Making infographics. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Publishing/ Layout Tools (InDesign)

Scribus: Comparable to InDesign. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Belight: Comparable to InDesign. Mac compatible. $19.99.

Audio Recording/ Editing

Audacity: Audio Recording and editing. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Fission: Audio Recording and editing. Mac compatible. Free.

Video Editing

Lightworks: Video editing. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

iMovie: Video editing. Mac compatible. $14.99.

3D Modeling and Animation/ Motion Graphics

Blender: 3D modeling and animation/ motion graphics. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Sketchup Make: 3D modeling. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Tinkercad: 3D modeling for 3D printing. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

123D Design: 3D modeling and 3D printing. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Presentations

Prezi: Presentations. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

Google Presentation: Presentations. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.

 

Office Tools 

LibreOffice: Office software. Mac/ PC compatible. Free.