Anyone a Website Designer?

[mablemurple]

I'm thinking about training to be a web designer. I've looked at the ACITP website who give details of a couple of distance learning programmes - does anyone know if these are legit, or just meaningless bits of paper? Any advice re qualifications etc would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[mablemurple]

Thanks littlelapin - will investigate courses in those (love the sound of Ruby on Rails ). Will keep bumping.

[fairyfly]

It depends on what qualifications you already have. I know quite a lot about the Multi Media Ba Hons. But many people do short courses. What kind of thing are you seeking~?

[mablemurple]

Would be looking to do a series of short courses - have a 25 year old first degree which barely mentioned computers and the internet was unheard of back then (in Leicester, anyway). Currently working part time as an administrator, and a lot of what I do involves creating databases, spreadsheets and the like. I really like the creative aspects of that and thought that I could maybe expand those skills into something a bit more substantial like web design. Could be talking bolleaux, though - please feel free to say if I am .

Does this mean I am an actual geek stroke nerd?

[fairyfly]

Would you consider a Masters then?

No it sounds fab, i think we all have something in us that wants to balance our primary vocations with something creative.

Or vice versa if a creative.

( by the way, it's not bbc computers anymore )

[mablemurple]

Aaah no, since when??? Are Amstrads any good, do you know?



Could be seduced by a masters, but probably would want something that could give me more of an immediate payback (I may be moving in just over a year so would lose my current job, and have an idea I could set myself up as a web designer in about 18 months time). Is this realistic, do you think?

[mablemurple]

So there's a gap in the market for a bright old thing, then?

Would also be looking to incorporate web design into a portfolio of other jobs - curtain/soft furnishings design being one (I do this already) and am looking at purchasing a franchise, too.

[fairyfly]

I would sa, absolutely, bright young things are wonderful but there is a certain sophistication about an older designer.

I would look for a multi media masters, year long, would be fabulous dahrlink

[fairyfly]

It doesn't matter how old you are btw, it's if you are dynamic and individual

[GeekBoy]

whether you're a bright young young or a bright old thing, web design isn't a "read some books, a couple of websites and you're good" type of job - except when building either very small or very simple sites.

What kind of designer are you looking to be? Sites for individuals/small business? You'll need a mix of design/technical skills. But can get away with graphic design, javascript, x(html), css.

Big sites? Start thinking about information architecture, design, branding, user experience. Doing yourself you'll need to start thinking about server-side languages, building databases,etc, etc, etc...

[mablemurple]

GeekBoy - I would want to start off with small projects for individuals/small businesses - I wouldn't presume to know it all from having done a couple of courses, but I have to start somewhere ! Will deffo look into a multi media masters, fairyfly. Like the idea of the sophisticated older designer - spelling and appropriate apostrophe positioning could be my usp .

Thanks for all the replies - they've been very helpful and given me a lot to think about.

[booge]

I did a masters conversion in computer science and now write web applications. If you like the design side of things then HTML, XML, CSS Javascript type stuff is what you need plus excellent design skills. You could write small sites for people with these skills.

If you are more interested in dynamic applications and programmng backend stuff as well then you are moving into the Java, Struts, .Net Ruby on Rails type areas. If you work in a big enough team they may have specialists in the different areas or as in my job be expected to be a Jack of all trades.

[morningpaper]

I do really REALLY basic sites - my technical skills are negligible self-taught

I would start by doing a really basic evening course in html and then starting to put together sites for family/friends for free - then go by word-of-mouth

By some books on website design to flick through - gives you an idea about the look and feel of sites and what you think works IMO

It is one of 4 jobs that I do too - I think it is pretty hard to do if you want to earn big money or do it as your sole job - there will also be a 14 year old with far better skills than you. But if you want something a bit creative and project-based that brings in a bit of cash, then it's a good thing.

[PixelHerder]

I'm currently doing a web design course with the Distance Learning Centre which suits me as it's all from home (they send you a CD to work from, or some courses are purely online I think). You do it at your own pace. You don't get a recognised qualification as such at the end, but you can submit your coursework to an examining body and apply for qualifications as you go along (costs about £100 a time I think). I don't use their email support service much but when I have they have got back to me fairly quickly (within a couple of hours usually).

I have found it a useful kick-start and it's nice to have the support available, but if you are super self-motivated and have the time you could probably learn a lot of the same stuff from books and free online resources, which would be cheaper.

Timescale - a lot depends on how much time you have available obviously! I've found it's the sort of thing you REALLY need to concentrate on, it's hard doing it with a toddler in the room or the telly on in the evenings. But I enjoy it, it's certainly bringing out my inner geek

Re qualifications - if you're applying for jobs it probably helps a lot to be qualified, but I'm going along Morningpaper's route of being self-employed and aiming to do basic sites for small clients, possibly with marketing consultancy as an adjunct to this (my background is in marketing and desktop publishing).

If you're self-employed then a portfolio and a good set of writing and selling skills would be fairly essential I guess, plus the requisite technical skills obviously. However I'm new to all this too so am reading the responses here with interest

[PixelHerder]

Sorry should have said that my specific course doesn't give you a recognised qualification at the end, I think the DLC does do other courses that do though.