Web Design

[GingerBeerMan]

OK, so after reading some really good guides online, I finally took the plunge and have started learning HTML5. I guess the fact I'm sitting here typing this at 3.45am when I started a good 4 and a half hours ago means I'm pretty hooked already! Got a bit of time off work at the moment due to an operation so will hopefully crack on and really get to grips with this over the coming weeks.

I did wonder though if, with the emergence of all of these 'Make your own' websites that I keep seeing advertised, will there be less demand for web designers/developers in general?

The internet is only going to grow larger, demand won't be an issue as long as your skills develop.

HTML is pretty basic and very easy to learn after you've used it for a bit, the real fun comes when you learn PHP and use it to input and fetch information from a database, it blew my mind the first time I managed it

 

[matt]

I ran a web agency (design and dev) for 10 years up until 3 years ago and, as Seb says, get some basic skills, see what you enjoy/are good at, and think about specialising in that. If you are jack of all but master of none you will find, unless you set-up your own business, that well paid opportunities are difficult to find. Big agencies will want a specialist - whether it be a coder (HTML and CSS), designer, SEO bod, or programmer.

If you want to learn old skills go to college, otherwise immerse yourself in the forums and try to get """"ahead of the curve"""". I've been out of the game for a while, but if I were thinking of getting in now, I would look at mobile tech and apps.

Wordpress is worth knowing about too - it changed the game, and made creating pretty clever websites easy and cheap.

This is old but you SHOULD read it: Amazon.co.uk: dont make me think: Books - Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug (links includes NSC referral to Amazon).

Smashing Magazine is a good resource: Smashing Magazine

Don't apply for any jobs until you have some examples of your own work online.
And, don't wear a jumper to an interview.

Good luck

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

I have a copy of the classic 'Don't Make Me Think' book - yours for free if you want it!

 

[Gonzo]

I have a copy of the classic 'Don't Make Me Think' book - yours for free if you want it!

Wow if you're sure that's ok I'll be more than happy to take it off your hands, cheers. I'll pm you my address

 

[Gonzo]

I ran a web agency (design and dev) for 10 years up until 3 years ago and, as Seb says, get some basic skills, see what you enjoy/are good at, and think about specialising in that. If you are jack of all but master of none you will find, unless you set-up your own business, that well paid opportunities are difficult to find. Big agencies will want a specialist - whether it be a coder (HTML and CSS), designer, SEO bod, or programmer.

Yeah I'm just dipping my toe into the water at the moment and seeing what it's all about. My early impressions are that I might want to go down the coding route but still very open. I like the suggestion of looking into the app market as their is obviously huge interest there and growing every day.

And, don't wear a jumper to an interview.

I won't ask...

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Yes, more than OK! It helped me to understand and avoid a lot of the navigational pitfalls of web design. It's sufficiently honed in for me to be able to give the book away.

 

[Gonzo]

Yes, more than OK! It helped me to understand and avoid a lot of the navigational pitfalls of web design. It's sufficiently honed in for me to be able to give the book away.

Just had a look on Amazon and it's dated 2005. Is much of it still relevant today?

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Just had a look on Amazon and it's dated 2005. Is much of it still relevant today?

Yes, because the book is about web usability. Flicking through, it's as relevant today as the day it was published. How to write for the web, how to structure a website, removing complexity and things that confuse users etc. It's not application specific. And it's written in a fun, down to earth way.