CSS can be a polarizing language,
for good reasons.
The syntax is deceptively simple,
but the goals are surprisingly complex.
The deeper you go,
the more likely it is to seem confusing and unpredictable,
especially if you’ve been learning it one feature at a time.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
I designed this course to help you
step back from individual features,
and learn how CSS works from the inside out.
Not as a theoretical exercise,
but to help you manage cross-browser styles with confidence:
on a timeline, and under budget.
Along the way,
we’ll cover various techniques people use
to keep their code organized and maintainable,
including the approaches OddBird has developed
over our nearly 20-year history doing top-shelf
application design and development
for clients of all sizes.
Cheers, Miriam Suzanne
I’m not sure I know anyone who understands CSS layouts better than Miriam, but her real skill is being able to explain it all in easy to understand ways.
To learn from Miriam is truly a privilege,
not only because she is involved in writing specifications,
but because, at the end of the day,
she is also a developer like us.
This puts her in a unique position
to help you understand not only how to use CSS,
but also to understand why it works the way it does.
Miriam knows CSS better
than nearly anyone on the planet.
Not only does she help shape CSS specifications,
she applies the nuances of CSS
in honest-to-goodness real-world work.
I’ve learned so much from her,
so I’d strongly recommend
Miriam’s workshop to anyone!
Certificate of Completion
Documenting your education
Immediate Access
To videos, demos, and side quests
Cutting Edge Techniques
From a W3C Invited Expert
Dedicated Discord
Discuss and ask Miriam questions
Discounts & Prizes
From future sales to handmade mugs
Who is Miriam Suzanne?
Miriam (Mia) is a web developer, teacher, and pioneer of modern CSS –
an Invited Expert on the W3C CSS Working Group,
and core contributor to the Sass language.
She created Susy for responsive layouts back in 2009,
and recently co-authored the CSS specifications for
Container Queries, Cascade Layers, Mixins, Functions, and Scope.
Miriam doesn’t just teach how things work,
she explains why they work that way,
and how everything fits together.
It was a treat to learn
from someone involved in writing the specs.
Miriam has a unique talent
of being extremely technical
with CSS but communicates
that so seamlessly
and so inclusively that regardless
of what level you’re at now,
you’ll be so far beyond
that when you learn from her.
A true super talent.
Miriam is your favorite developer’s
favorite developer.
She’s been the driving force
behind a ton of modern CSS features,
and is better positioned
than anyone else
to help you understand them!
CSS is a domain-specific programming language,
with a goal of universal access,
which works different from
general purpose languages.
Why is CSS different?
What we control, and what we don’t
Using context and subtext
Cascading Priorities
Managing the scope and priority of styles
is such a fundamental feature
that it’s in the name of the language.
The cascade is the basis for everything else:
Writing modular selectors
Managing priority in conflicts
Avoiding conflicts when possible
Contextual Values
There are a range of subtle errors
that we can avoid (or fix)
by understanding CSS typed values,
and the process they take
from stylesheet to rendered page.
When inheritance happens
Explicit defaults
Late validation surprises
Resilient Systems
The web is designed to work
across a range of browsers & devices
with different capabilities –
and CSS has tools to help.
Browser support
Modern approaches
Simple fallbacks
Naming & Organizing
There are a number of popular CSS conventions,
but which ones are useful,
and will work for your team?
What problems are they solving?
What do they share?
OddBird’s “Poetic” approach
Frequently asked questions
I’m just learning CSS, is this course for me?
This course does not cover the basics of CSS syntax.
You should be familiar with
the core features of the language,
and able to add basic styles to a website.
If you’re looking for an intro course,
check out Kevin Powell’s free
HTML & CSS for absolute beginners.
I’m a senior developer, is this course for me?
Yes.
Even if you are a proficient
daily-CSS author,
this course will help you understand
the more nuanced corners of the language.
Do you support Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)?
We do! Reach out to courses@oddbird.net
to let us know what country you are in,
and we’ll get you set up with a discount code.
Is there a student or freelancer discount?
Yes.
Reach out to courses@oddbird.net
with details about your situation,
and we’ll help you get set up with a discount code.
Do you offer a certificate of completion?
Yes!
Reach out to courses@oddbird.net for a certificate
if you need one
after you have completed the course.
Is this a video or text-based course?
Either or both.
Every lesson includes a video
along with the transcript,
slides, and demos –
with the intention that you
can follow along
or read the text instead.
$350 |
Early Bird Price
Price only available from July 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026.
Get in at the beginning! Module 1 is available now, with the first 5 lessons.
