How to become a web designer?

MORPH3US

Ha ha, just seen that you are based in Stafford.... small world. What area of Stafford are you from.

onlyforboards_2

Like everyone says, teach yourself. Everyone I know who does web design (and all are doing really well self employed) taught themselves with online tutorials.
Good luck!

JoeyG

I would recommend you learn the basics with online tutorials, then get your head into some content management software like this

It will probably take a few months to get your head around, but it will be worth it as clients expect to be able to manage their own content these days, with 'latest news' sections, blogs etc... and thats before you start getting into things like online shopping

I've been in the business 10 years, and thats definitely the route i'd go if I was starting out now

alunharford

Good web designers are rare as hen's teeth. Bad web designers are ten-a-penny. From what I can see, learning to be a good one takes both a lot of talent and 10 years hard work. A short pay-your-money-and-get-your-certificate course isn't likely to do you much good.

tek-monkey

MORPH3US wrote: »

Ha ha, just seen that you are based in Stafford.... small world. What area of Stafford are you from.

Same here, and also a web developer! As stated, ANYBODY nowadays seems to be able to do a website. Making a functional site however is a different game altogether. I got into it by accident, was a support engineer by choice. I've now branched more into online applications, predominately classic ASP based systems. I can't draw, so no good at eye catching stuff! At least at my new place I have a designer for that, so I can concentrate on coding a bit more.

Sazzyukrafc

I have to agree that so many people want and are doing the same.

I don't think you should do a course, unless you plan on getting a degree, as I know my friends who work in the industry doing it have actually taught themselves since they were quite young.

Do you know what you're doing? If no, it's going to take a while until you can match those that have been doing it themselves since they were young.

My brother is a web developer and runs his own business doing it, he tends to focus on more of the technical and coding side now and works with a friend of his who is a web designer.

bitsandpieces

dvinedeano wrote: »

Yeah, there are loads of things to touch on in web design. I would like to be doing web design but just carnt get any feedback on jobs that I have been applying for. I have not payed for any courses and have learned a lot myself in web design and also have a portfolio which is on the internet.

w w w.

dvine. kemixx. net/Portfolio/

it wont let me post it due to me being a new user.

check it out. and I have learned all of this myself. Im very intrested in computers and can do a lot on them. web design is just a area I have touched on and like.

If you're using that to market your services, it needs proof-reading (and I'd look to tighten up the language, too). The structure of the site might benefit from tidying up, too. For example:
- to see your actual portfolio of sites designed, users need to find and click an additional link. Why?
- Do you want users to be able to see this? http://www.dvine.kemixx.net/ And is the Affiliate folder meant to be there?
- The 'page not found' error currently reads 'This page doesn't exist anymore. F*** off.' (expletive isn't censored on your site). Not necessarily appropriate.
- The broader structure seems a bit unclear. E.g. how do this page http://www.dvine.kemixx.net/Portfolio%20Old/ or this page http://kemixx.net/ http://kemixx.net/ fit in with your portfolio elsewhere on site?

We all have to start somewhere, but attention to detail is important.

You might also look to think through how your different sites fit together. E.g. I like the tunes on your blog, but wouldn't it be better to (if you're linking a blog) to write one focussed on web design and related issues?