Question

Topic: Career/Training

Best Way To Learn Web Design

Posted by Steve Moore on 10/14/2012 at 9:53 PM ET 250 Points
Hi,

I originally posted this in student questions, but I guess I should have posted it here. Sorry about that. Maybe a site moderator can delete the other one?

I am interested in becoming a web designer. So I have a few questions that keep churning in my mind. I am hoping for some direction.

What languages should I learn and in what order should I learn them? I am thinking xhtml, css, javascript, and php. And in that order.

Have I left anything out, or included too much? I figure I will learn xhtml in lieu of html since it is basically a stricter form of html, right?

Is it pretty much expected in today's business world that the web designer will also create the other digital assets required for the site? I am trying to figure out what level of expertise I would need with Photoshop and Illustrator, etc.

What is the best way to actually build a first practice site? Just create a mock business and put together a site? Volunteer your time for a real business' site (that seems risky)?

Lastly, what kind of time frame is required to learn all of this stuff. I know it depends on aptitude and other individual qualities, but generally speaking how much time does it take to become a professional level web designer?

I know this is a lot and I appreciate the time it will take to respond. I guess I'm a little obsessive about this.

Any advice would be more than welcomed

Thank you,

Steve

To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted on 10/14/2012 at 10:33 PM Accepted
    There are all kinds of web designers, and there are no official standards for who can call themselves professional web designers.

    The one thing I would observe is that to learn all the things you've identified, and create enough different websites to ensure you can apply the skills, will take years, not months.

    And there are some things that go beyond the languages and apps you need to learn. For example, you probably need some graphic design talent. How do you learn THAT?

    What I would recommend is to first learn enough HTML that you understand what a program like Dreamweaver (or KompoZer, or other HTML-editor) does. Then use Dreamweaver to build a simple site for yourself or for a local school, club or not-for-profit organization.

    Then learn the next thing ... css, javascript, etc. Or Photoshop/Illustrator. And incorporate what you learn into that site. Perhaps try creating a site with Wordpress. And keep doing this until you're comfortable with it.

    You might also want to start using Google Analytics to see how effective your site pages are, and then modify them to see how that impacts the analytics. Then perhaps design a mobile site to see how that works. Etc.

    There's plenty to learn, but you need to take it one lesson at a time if you really want to understand what you're doing.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 10/15/2012 at 9:15 AM Accepted
    There's a wealth of basic information in the "For Dummies" book series: "Web Design...", "HTML, XHTML & CSS...", "Building a Web Site...", etc. That will teach you some of the technology pieces. These days, you'll also want to consider learning CMS systems such as Wordpress and/or Drupal. Don't forget learning about creating websites targeted for mobile devices and/or apps (if that's interesting to you as well).

    You're likely not going to be a web graphics person also, but familiarity with manipulating existing images (stock images) would be a plus.

    You practice by doing. Start by creating multiple versions of your own website, using different technologies for each subdomain, and testing it on multiple browsers, OSes, etc.. Then try copying the look/feel of existing websites (not for the public to see - just for your own learning). Then try creating (for free) a website or two for local startups and/or non-profits. That'll give you a small portfolio to show off your work.
  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 10/15/2012 at 9:21 AM Accepted
    Michael makes several strong points, not least of which is the need (in my opinion at least) for some kind of graphic design talent (and here I'm speaking as on of the few graphic designers on this forum).

    Although the languages you mention all matter, of greater importance is equally strong abilities to think like a designer and as a marketer. Sites need to look good but they also need to function well in terms of converting traffic into actions, at least, they do for e-commerce sites.

    For online courses I can recommend https://www.lynda.com/member.aspx

    Other than that, any decent book on basics can be
    found on Amazon. I also suggest you buy and read Robin Williams book "The Non-Designer's Design Book" which gives masses of insight into design composition theory.

    I hope this helps for now. I'll see what else I can find that might be of value.
  • Posted by Steve Moore on 10/16/2012 at 1:07 AM Author
    Thank you for the responses. One other thing that I forgot to ask. Is the digital design field more of a young person's industry?

    I am going to be 37 this month (total midlife crisis) and wonder if this in and of itself is prohibitive.

    What do you think?
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 10/16/2012 at 8:20 AM Accepted
    If web design truly excites you, who cares how old you are? Youth has certain advantages, but so does life experience. Do what you (think you might) love.
  • Posted by socialgomarie on 10/16/2012 at 11:42 AM Accepted
    I agree with Jay - it's never too late for anything. If you're excited about it, go for it! In fact, with web design, new languages and standards get developed all the time, so you may be learning something when you start out that 'veterans' haven't engaged with because they're already comfortable in their ways and have an advantage on certain fronts.

    One site that's great for learning coding that hasn't been mentioned is www.codeacademy.com - it's probably one of my favourite websites at the moment. I've got a site on my company's platform, but to customize it, I've had to learn some CSS and basic HTML, and this site has been awesome.

    Good luck, and enjoy!
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Career/Training)