What path would be best for someone wanting to specialize in marketing email design?

Question

I'm starting with HTML and CSS. Is java worth the time for just emails?

Answer 1

To design emails, you just need basics of Html and Css.
Nothing else: JS is not well supported in email client, so usually use avoided, and Html/Css support is also relatively limited ( so very advanced skills are not required, even if good knowledge is always a plus ;))...

Answer 2

Do javascript instead. Java is server side, javascript is client side. After javascript learn what ever you wish, although PHP might be a better path after Javascript though.