How to Become a Web Designer
2012
Web design and development is a big business. More and more people are turning to web design as a career. However, it is still a new field. There aren’t a whole lot of web design programs in colleges. Most designers come from other fields, or are even self-taught. More universities are starting to develop programs, but until that happens, many people are wondering how to become a web designer.
There are many things you should know. One of them is how to use a good graphics program. Websites need graphics. Graphics are more than just the pictures; they also include the frames, buttons and backgrounds. You will also want to study page layouts. One good way to do that is to look at many websites, and see what they have done and where they failed. A good course of study would be graphics design.
Remember that there is a difference between programmers and designers. There are many programming languages. Those languages make computers work. There are also many design languages, such as HTML, CSS and Java. They are used to make the websites work. You don’t need to know the programming languages, but you should have an understanding how they work.
Likewise, you don’t need to know every coding language. If you are fluent in two or three of them and have a basic understanding of the rest, you should be OK. You should definitely learn HTML/XHTML because they are the foundation of most websites. These are languages that you can learn on your own, but there are also courses offered many places that can help you figure them out. You can get a certification when you take those classes.
Once you have a base understanding of web design, you need to practice. Make up several websites and then see what works and what doesn’t. Let someone else judge your work because they are going to be more objective. Develop a solid portfolio to show prospective clients and employers.
Another approach to building a web design business is to offer a low-cost website design service. You can buy licenses to WordPress themes for website designers and you’re in business (don’t forget to read quality website template reviews).
These things are the foundation that any web designer should have. You don’t need to know everything inside and out, but you do need to know them. While it is still possible to be a self-taught web designer, the more certifications or accreditation you can get the better off you are going to be when it comes time to get a job. Check out universities and community colleges in your area and see what they have to offer.
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