Originally posted by KeilwerthSX90R:
<STRONG>I am interested into getting into free lance web design. I have a decent amount of coding experience mostly with C++, HTML and fortran but I'm a quick learner. More so that the actual coding side how would people suggest getting started? I appreciate any assistance.
Thanks</STRONG>
Take some design classes or get a degree in design/graphics,
It's more than learning the basics of Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, etc. A good web designer understands things like the use of Fonts, color therory, information architecture, the use of icons and photographs to convey a mood or information, can create illustration when needed so that they don't have to use clipart or borrow art from other web sites, understand the basics of animation, learn how to scan and correct photos, optimize images for the web, understand the basics of the using/creating PDFs, be able to open and convert a variety of documents created with many different applications and create a logo if needed besides all of the coding/web standards/constraints crap.
Don't want to go the class route? Then get a job somewhere that does a lot of web work and will give you a chance to learn perhaps from someone more experienced than yourself. This will also give you the chance to build your portfolio and begin building a network to draw from when you do begin to freelance (hint: a local college is usually a good place to start out. They do lots or web publishing and are usually not affected by the economy as much as dot.com type companies).
Keep track of the jobs that you do and how long it takes you to do various aspects of the job. I break jobs into a few categories:
• Consulting
• Design
• Graphics production/optimization for the web
• HTML coding
• Advanced programming (cgi stuff)
• Testing/implementation to the server
• Meetings/proj. management/research
Keeping track of each of these things will help you create accurate bids and can let you know if you're getting better over time at production.
Pick a few good books, read them from front to back, practice what they've taught you and go back and read them again (you'll be amazed at what you've missed). I found this to be especially true of software manuals.
Find a group or form a group that's interested in web design. It's much harder to learn in a vacuum. Be willing to share. Some people are afraid to give out their "secrets" but I find that you usually get much more in return.
Learn as much graphics software as possible. You never know when you need something that can only be done in a certain program. I've never had a use for Bryce until a client wanted a different sky in the background of a photo and didn't want to pay for stock photography.
Oh well, probably more than you want to know. I apologize if any of these seems condescending - not meant to be.
Good luck,
Chas
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