Advice on Web Design

Ohyeah

Sorry not sure if this is right forum:o


In my late twenties finished college seven years ago. I am currently unemployed, but want to stay in the work area that I have been working in for the past 7/8 years.

In this field, web design has become an increasingly important tool to have, and just looking at possible jobs out there at the mo, it would be good to have some experience.

Sadly I have none

I have knowledge of basic word processing and the internet itself of course:rolleyes:

So sorry for these basic questions, but any help would be VERY much appreciated.

1. Is it possible to self teach web design and how to sustain, update etc a web page? If so what books would you recommend and what programmes?

2. Is it better to do a course? For instance how do the experts out there view this Fas course http://www.fas.ie/couframe.htm would that be much good?

3. Is trying to set up your own web page/blog etc a good idea so I can practice and learn by my mistakes?

Anyother basic advice anyone has.

I must come across as a tech pre-historic ape but I am not 'scared' of computers or compltely idiotic about them, just have no knowledge of web design.

Cheers

is_that_so

Self-learning is not a bad thing in that it can allow you to learn from mistakes at your leisure, however it can be a lot slower to pick things up.
That FAS link didn't actually show any courses.
I would suggest a combination of both. Set up your own web server and do a basic course. That way you'll be able to put things into practice.
However you might need to consider what your field requires as far as web design goes. That will dictate what you should look at learning, e.g. Graphics, Flash, Databases , etc.

But to start you off have a look here .

Evil Phil

If it's a full time FAS course I would say go for it. I started out in FAS and got a job at a time when post-grads couldn't. I cannot recommend them enough. What is the course title?

I'm going to copy this thread over to the Web Master & Flash forum as well so you can get feedback from there too. Just follow this link.

Laslo

I would recommend one of the Interactive Media courses at Senior College Dunlaoghaire as a basic primer.

The trick with web design is to develop a strong sense of aesthetic coupled with the technical skills required to produce professional sites to a high standard. But the most salient piece of advice I could give you would be to absorb yourself in web design (and, if you want, a bit of development) - trawl forums and link sites, pick up the odd copy of Computer Arts or .net mag, etc. - and keep abreast with what's happening in the industry.

Another bit of advice I'd give you - "love technology". Don't jump on bandwagons, fall into cliques or join any old boys clubs. Be a web standards advocate but don't be an anti-Flash idiot. Learn Flash/actionscript and other ubiquitous, but maybe not so popular, technologies regardless of what people say. It'll make you infinitely more employable and successful in your career.

Here are a few links that might help:

http://www.scd.ie/dayIT.htm
http://www.netmag.co.uk/
http://forum.netmag.co.uk/
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/
http://forum.computerarts.co.uk/
http://www.alistapart.com/
http://www.irishwebmasterforum.com/
http://www.cssbeauty.com/
http://cssvault.com/

BostonB

If you do a course you'll meet with like minded people and be able to swap ideas and perhaps get a few ideas and inspiration from the others in the class. I would say a full time FAS course would be a great idea, especially if unemployed. Get you back in the right mindset, and get you fired up and interested in something.

Just don't expect to learn everything overnight. Web design is a big area and theres lots to learn.

wheres me jumpa

BostonB wrote:

Just don't expect to learn everything overnight. Web design is a big area and theres lots to learn.

The nail on the head! There is so much to learn that you will need to have an ability to teach yourself certain technologies. I have heard many good things about the FAS courses and they would appear to be a good starting point.

Rollo Tamasi

Ohyeah wrote:

1. Is it possible to self teach web design and how to sustain, update etc a web page? If so what books would you recommend and what programmes?

If you're going to pick up a book make sure you choose a logical order in which to start your reading. I would go firstly with a HTML/CSS book, then a PHP book and finally something on Search Engine Optimization. You can look into getting a Dreamweaver book also, this will cover al lot of HTML/CSS design aspects. Dreamweaver is the most popular of the code editors.

There are quite a few books out there on CMSs' (Content Management Systems). You can find books on Joomla, Mambo and Wordpress. A lot of designers like to use open source CMSs' to develop sites which can be easily updated and edited.

Ohyeah wrote:

2. Is it better to do a course? For instance how do the experts out there view this Fas course http://www.fas.ie/couframe.htm would that be much good?

If you do a course you'll meet with like minded people and be able to swap ideas and perhaps get a few ideas and inspiration from the others in the class. I would say a full time FAS course would be a great idea, especially if unemployed. Get you back in the right mindset, and get you fired up and interested in something.

You will learn a lot more of the basics from human interaction rather than book interaction. But the books will provide more focus on webdesign. What is your location?

3. Is trying to set up your own web page/blog etc a good idea so I can practice and learn by my mistakes?

Blogging is a very good idea. I would try to buy your name @ a .com address and throw the word design in there. joesmithdesign.com or something.

The most popular of bloging platforms is wordpress (free). You will need a webhost (linux based, apache, php, mysql - approx cost for a basic setup 50-80euro per annum), a domain (approx 10euro) and a template for wordpress (free). Then you're off.
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