Is anyone in Web Design?

[dandingo13]

I'm interested in getting my Web Design Certificate online and wanted to find out if anyone is in Web Design? Due to some health reasons, I'm unable to work full time and it's very hard to find a random part-time gig. I've been researching Web Design for some time and and pretty set on getting my certificate.

My questions are:
1- Will getting my certificate enable me to get a job doing web design or do I need a degree? I really just want to get my foot in the door doing web design for a company and/or even be able to create simple websites for small businesses.
2 - Where is the best place to get my cert? I talked to my cousin who's in IT and he told me to get it through Microsoft but I can't seem to find where to sign up.
3 - What programs will I need to purchase? There was only one site that led me in the right direction and from what I gathered, I'll need Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Flash and Fireworks.
- This confuses me. Will I need the $500 version of Dreamweaver and Photoshop or will the $150 versions work.

Thanks in advance!

[pbsmind]

I work for a company as a full time webdesigner/php programmer. I have a webdesign cert from 2003 I think, just got it from the local junior college and a degree in Comp Sci.
My friend (http://www.simonfoust.com/) doesn't have any cert or degree and is pretty accompleshed being self employeed.

As for tools, all you need is a good text editor and Photo Editing/Image processing program. I use geany (http://www.geany.org/) and gimp (http://www.gimp.org/) and they are enough to get you started (I'm a linux guy and not very heavy in the graphic design part).
Photoshop would be considered a must by pretty much everyone, but try the gimp before you make the investment.

Once you feel comfortable, troll craigslist.org for web design jobs. You should be able to find a lot that are one time or contractual/part time.

PS. Also get familiar with Content Management Systems, like wordpress, drupal, cms made simple. They can help in getting a quick site up that the client can add content too pretty easily.

[Rivers]

I don't know that a degree will help compared to a strong portfolio of work you've done. Certainly a web design certificate from Microsoft would not encourage me to hire you. I'd want to see your work, the range of coding you know and your design skills. Note that a good programmer is NOT necessarily a good designer. Usually not the same person. The coding is really the muscle behind the page, what gets data to display in the right spots, etc. The designer makes the page pretty (but that's important too unless you get hot and bothered over spreadsheets.)

You might even check out lynda.com for training with Dreamweaver. Very cost-effective and at least will get you so you know which end is up before taking higher-end classes. The annual subscription offers unlimited access to all their topics.

You can get academic pricing with a community or adult education card. Major savings. You really do need to know the fundamentals with Photoshop for doing serious web page development. I don't know that I would worry too much about Flash now since it's not used with iOS (iPads) and some other portable devices. HTML5 is more universally accepted and that's part of Dreamweaver.

[dandingo13]

I don't know that a degree will help compared to a strong portfolio of work you've done. Certainly a web design certificate from Microsoft would not encourage me to hire you. I'd want to see your work, the range of coding you know and your design skills. Note that a good programmer is NOT necessarily a good designer. Usually not the same person. The coding is really the muscle behind the page, what gets data to display in the right spots, etc. The designer makes the page pretty (but that's important too unless you get hot and bothered over spreadsheets.)

You might even check out lynda.com for training with Dreamweaver. Very cost-effective and at least will get you so you know which end is up before taking higher-end classes. The annual subscription offers unlimited access to all their topics.

You can get academic pricing with a community or adult education card. Major savings. You really do need to know the fundamentals with Photoshop for doing serious web page development. I don't know that I would worry too much about Flash now since it's not used with iOS (iPads) and some other portable devices. HTML5 is more universally accepted and that's part of Dreamweaver.

Thanks for the advice. You've basically reiterated what my cousin said to me about not necessarily needing the cert or degree. Just start getting a portfolio together and actually doing the work.

I was planning on picking up Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Flash and I see they're not cheap. I also see that they sell the entire Adobe Web Suite. Are all 12 or however many programs necessary or can I get away with just Dreamweaver and Photoshop?

[Rivers]

can I get away with just Dreamweaver and Photoshop?

Those two alone will keep you busy. You're better off getting really good with fewer programs than just OK with many. And check out lynda.com for the online training. It's worth it.

[dandingo13]

Those two alone will keep you busy. You're better off getting really good with fewer programs than just OK with many. And check out lynda.com for the online training. It's worth it.

Awesome, thanks again for the info.

[bpetro]

web training

My firm has been professionally developing websites for 16 years. I have a relatively small staff but I've hired quite a few developers over the years so I can probably give you some practical advice.

First off you should understand that most web development jobs are not "career-type" jobs that you can support a family on. There are just too many eager college kids with years of experience that are willing to work for nothing. That being said, the exception to the rule is generally specialists that have been in the industry for 10 years or more......OR.....self employed folks. You aren't necessarily going to make a living working for yourself either, but it's much more likely that you can demand hourly rates that you can live on when you work directly for the client.

I'll post back a little more soon....I have to run now.

[fennecfrank]

lots of good advises posted.


I was in the field right after I graduated college more than 10 years ago (have a degree that's not relavant to computer science or art). Didn't get a cert (Don't even know it exists until I read your post). It's quite a competitive field that you're competing with people that are very good in it. There are big companies, small companies and tons of freelancers making websites.

Good websites are done by people who can draw and who's good in programming. I'm not strong in the programming part and I had a hard time when the designs got complicated. If you're really into this field, and you can't find a programmer to help you, a few classes in programming is highly recommended. Some websites, if running online ordering, need a shopping cart, requires programming and safety measures to protect customer data and credit card info. I quitted this field when JSP and ASP were just started. It got too complicated for me and I know I could not compete with those people. Also, one incident: a college freshman made a website with killer natural "smoke" effects done only by programming. Something I can never do.

Best luck to you.

BTW, as I recall, the $500 and $150 versions are the same, just that the $500 is for professional use and the $150 is for educational use only.

[dandingo13]

I'm starting to get a bit discouraged now. I was hoping to learn how to make somewhat simple sites for small businesses and individuals, learning more as I did more.

[fennecfrank]

Have you made a website yet?


You don't need anything as complicated as dreamweaver to start. You only need a text editor which comes with any Microsoft Windows and you can start making websites.

From the internet explorer, go to "View" tab. From there, select "Source". This will bring out the codes for that particular web page.

Some can get very complicated while some are very easy. The HTML codes always reminds me of the old Word Perfect document codes.


there are a lot of things online. see if you can learn something first and like it before you spend all that money on books, programs, and classes:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=leran+html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=leran+html#sclient=psy&hl=en&safe=active&source=hp&q=html+codes&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=c8833647e89ff69d&biw=1270&bih=486

[bpetro]

I'm starting to get a bit discouraged now. I was hoping to learn how to make somewhat simple sites for small businesses and individuals, learning more as I did more.

You can do this. Honestly that's how everybody starts as a freelancer.

With regard to certificates, if you are looking to work for yourself any certificates are irrelevant. If you want to work for someone else they could help. I hire people out of my local college and junior college with certificates because it indicates that they have some kind of minimal training. As I mentioned earlier though, these are not jobs that pay a whole lot.

As far as software goes, earlier posts are correct that the two main programs that professionals use are photoshop and dreamweaver. My shop is actually a little strange in that we don't use dreamweaver at all. We hand-code everything. That is not the norm though.

Feel free to give me a ring if you want to talk.