I'm just starting my second year of sixth form in September and we've been told to start looking into University Courses over the Summer.

 

I already know the basic off HTML, CSS and some PHP/MySQL but I'm keen to learn more

 

I want to stay close to home so I'm 'restricting' myself to University's mainly in and around London..

 

I've looked at 2 or 3 Uni's courses they offer and couldn't find one based solely on web design. Most of the courses focused on Java or C++ programming with the exception of one called 'Computer Science and Web Technologies. In the short description it mentioned XML, Web Techonologies for Mobile Devices and designing graphical user interfaces...

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I've read a few other topics about how some people said it's better to just teach yourself, would I be better off studying a course with a different focus like Java C++ etc and teaching myself HTML, CSS etc.

 

This way I would have a wider range of skills which could end up being better than taking one of those infamous Web Design courses I've read a lot about on here...

 

Any advice appreciated

If you are keen to spend thousands getting experience, give me the 10k and ill give you a 2 year apprenticeship

 

 

 

I would recommend that instead of uni, get yourself a year or so at a design agency for 3 days a week, and spend the other 2 learning out of books.

 

 

Reaper

If you are keen to spend thousands getting experience, give me the 10k and ill give you a 2 year apprenticeship

 

 

 

I would recommend that instead of uni, get yourself a year or so at a design agency for 3 days a week, and spend the other 2 learning out of books.

 

 

Reaper

 

lol thanks for the offer

 

On a serious note though that does sound like a good idea but I think just getting a degree of some kind is a good idea. At school they're continually drumming into us how important it is to have one, for standing out in job interviews and things like that.

 

As long as I don't pick that takes up all my time I could probably still manage to self study web design and on some courses they even arrange a one year work placement for you which saves a lot of hassle.

 

If I picked something still related to web design, like one I read about talked a lot about building web applications and mobile apps. I'm sure that would come in handy for web design aswell..

Uni is a good experience in any case. Good times.

But mind you that many schools teaches web-design as it where graphical design. Beware of this and always be very critical of what the school tries to teach you. Way too many aren't up with the times and some will just tell you to use PS to slice an image and use whatever PS generates.

 

Web-design also includes typhography, user interface, copy, seo etc etc. To be a professional web-designer you need to know the technology of the business. Know how to hand code HTML+CSS+JS, Flash is a plus. Know the backend tech such as HTTP headers. Know how to deal with character encodings.

 

These are the things a school should teach you. They should teach you the inner working of your trade. Unfortunately, too many doesn't. So ask many questions and pay close attention to their response.

A degree may loook good on your CV, but if i started a poll - Degree vs Experience (i wont, as it has been debated so many times on here) then 3 years experience will beat a degree handsdown nearly everytime.

 

Who will they put you in for a placement? will they be putting 20 of you in the placement at the same time? there is a big difference between working for M&S webdevelopment team and a small team like mine.

 

Look at it this way. Imagine you are going to an interview witha fairly small webdesign firm, they require that you can be given a list of jobs, manage your time, and do it all. You have 2 options:

 

1) you walk in, bit of paper in hand saying that you have a degree in computer science (that is the one ive heard recommended sooooo many times for webdesigners). They look at it, "not bad, you did 2 modules in webdesign, yes?" You would have a portfolio with 5 designs, all for fictional projects from your uni, but what about that years placement?

 

They are probably a huge webdesign firm that wont let you say "ive worked on this this and this" - for some reason, i find the really big companies dont let their employees add to their portfolio, as it is the companies client.

 

2) you walk in, have your CV, a reference from a previous webdesign firm that you spent 2 years with, and a portfolio that has over 100 different websites you can claim you have worked on.

 

 

I know which i would pick.

 

On the other hand, Ive heard Uni is an amazing experience, so i wouldnt blame you if your heart is set on it, you just seemed to come at it from a "ive been told i have to, so which is the least bad" - maybe i have misunderstood you completely.

 

Reaper

Regardless of web design - GO TO UNI!!! It is the best 3 years of your life.

 

But be warned, the bit of paper with your degree on it means bugger all in the real world unless you can back it up with experience and/or real natural talent.

 

If you really fancy web design; go here: http://www.solent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/web_design_bsc/course_details.aspx

 

Solent Uni is the best place EVER!! Great social scene and great facilities too.

 

3 years at uni will also allow the recession to pass over and you will find more junior level roles in London by then too

 

Experience is key, it really is the best thing money can buy; but 3 years at uni will be a time that not only gives you a ton of expertise, but also really help you to mature and find yourself (it sounds stupid, but people do discover themselves at uni and they mature so much!!)

 

Enjoy it mate - I am sooooooooo envious!!! lol

 

 

EDIT: Just re-read your original post - don't stay close to home!! Go away from your comfort zone!! Sure it is scary, but it will help you to stand on your own two feet. Do it mate; I know a ton of people who stayed at home while at uni and they all regretted it because the social scene just isn't the same!!!

Edited August 6, 200917 yr by terydinho

You both make good points, from the little I've learnt about Web Design at school I've sat there thinking why are you telling us to use tables and frames ?!?!

 

As for going to University I might try taking a course with a slightly different focus ( like something based on application programming maybe )to web design, and then try and get myself some work with a design company in the summer or on weekends for experience.

 

That way I can get the best of both worlds ?

 

Edit:

 

I didn't mean I would stay at home, I'd still stay on Campus but I just wanted to stay around the London Area so I was close to home I guess..

 

Also thanks for pointing out that course I'll definitely look into it

I would have to agree with Tery, if you are going to do it, move away from home.

 

A few of the guys here go to bournemouth uni, so that may be worth a look.

 

Reaper

Well the final choice is up to you mate - but as a fellow essex lad; going to southampton was the best thing I ever did. Only a couple of hours away from essex on the train so you can head home once a month; but you wont want too!! Just my 2p worth, but go away from home; the further from your comfort zone you, the more you will be ready for real life when it hits you

 

If you do look into that course, I am sure the lecturer's name is Paul Ansell, he is a top, top bloke and he knows his stuff too.

 

And do you play footie (just guessing from your forum avatar)? If so, then join the uni football team and that will really get your social life going hehe

I'd definitely go to Uni...I did, I found you in fact learn incredibly little in the way of practical skills (easily done on your own) but, without being too cliché, almost subconsciously improve soft skill such as time management, communication and team work skills etc. etc. which are all incredibly valuable to employers!

 

And yeah I'd definitely move far away from home!

If you're positive you want to go into web design, definitely just get a job now. 3 years of experience as a front-end-developer (or the kind of position that would suit your expertise) will be much more impressive to a web design company than a degree, as most web design degrees mean you've learnt very little. You said that you're told a degree is very impressive in interviews; the interview I had for the job I'm currently at, I was up against 6 others, all with degrees. I don't even have an A-Level, but what I do have is experience and skill. Prove those, and you'll be much better off.

But Russ, I don't think the argument is about which is better, degree or experience? It is most definitely experience.

 

BUT, saying that, uni is just an amazing 3 years which will give him time to hone his skills on sites like this; build a solid portfolio of work while at uni through small clients and get the best of both worlds. When I was at uni, I got a good job designing the intranet of one of the faculties, it was crap money but great hours and excellent experience

Well I couldn't have asked for much more advice lol.

 

I'm pretty convinced about going to Uni, where and what I'll study I still need to think about. I'll also look into trying to get a Summer Job next year at a web design company for some of this experience your all on about

 

Thanks guys

I would have to agree with Tery, if you are going to do it, move away from home.

 

A few of the guys here go to bournemouth uni, so that may be worth a look.

 

Reaper

 

I went to, the formerly, Arts Institute at Bournemouth next to B'mouth Uni. Great place. Had an amazing time there.

 

I studied Modelmaking for Design and Media. A little while after I graduated I ended up doing some web design jobs and where about to start my own web-design company. I was thinking about the three years I studies for my degree in a completely different field, but I didn't regret it - such a great experience to live in another country and experience a place filled with creative people and where you had the time and resources to play around and experiment within your chosen field.

 

Now I'm back in the modelmaking profession again - and web-design is again my hobby.

Well I couldn't have asked for much more advice lol.

 

I'm pretty convinced about going to Uni, where and what I'll study I still need to think about. I'll also look into trying to get a Summer Job next year at a web design company for some of this experience your all on about

 

Thanks guys

 

Just remember to be critical about what they try to teach you.

Hi Thomas,

 

Modelmaking as in plastic models or as in 3d models for games?

 

Are you still in the Bournemouth area?

 

 

Reaper

I would have to agree with Tery, if you are going to do it, move away from home.

 

A few of the guys here go to bournemouth uni, so that may be worth a look.

 

Reaper

 

I'm one of those guys at bournemouth uni, Rob also goes that I know..

 

As said above a move away from home is soo much better then somewhere near. Going to Bournemouth was the best decision I have ever made. Learnt to live on my own, met some awesome people and learnt lots about what I want to do. I have only spent one year away so far, but I cannot wait to go back, it is soo different from school as well a lot of freedom! In fact even being back home for summer is getting too much, and thats only 3 months or so off.

 

Me and Rob both study Interactive Media Production. And I can honestly say its pretty amazing! Not only are you in beautiful bournemouth, with the beach and a pretty damn good nightlife. But the media facilities are top notch.

In fact, the media school(uni is split up into diff schools, which basically is just different buildings on the same campus) at Bournemouth is the only centre of excellence in media! Which just goes to proove how good it is! Just for this one course we have 3 labs with about 15-20 imacs in, all with decent software. The lecturers and tech-support guys (who come in very useful) really know what they are on about.

 

As far as content goes, its a course were people can start with no knowledge and can progress but where also people with knowledge can still learn some things.

 

For example, I didn't really know much about web-coding before such as xhtml, css, php but soon learnt this all and have got quite far with learning.

Good thing bout this course is there are no exams, which I think is great, but also right for a production course.

It's split up into 4 projects; Images, Narratives, Audiences and Summer Project

 

Images starts the course off with teaching photoshop stuff, creating photomanipulation etc. But you also need to construct a portfolio styled website to display these images on. So they also teach you xhtml and css.

 

Narratives uses video but also teaches php as well as improving on the knowledge learnt in the images section.

You have to create an interactive narrative, so most went on the idea of having video-sequences which at the end you could decide on a route to take the user through their story.

 

Audiences was mainly flash based, where you had to create an animation using flash. Learnt a lot of as3 through this. Again this had to displayed in web-format.

 

Then finally the summer project. This was a collobrative group project with 2 other courses (tv production and scriptwriting). This was a great project where I personally learnt a lot of php by doing. We had to create a website and some mobile content for a campaign that we wanted to raise awareness of, or that were intrested this was run by channel4's battlefront and we had a presentation day with people from channel4 coming to watch, give advice and ultimately praise us .

 

It's a farly well rounded course, teaching photoshop, xhtml, css, php, as3 etc. But it also allows you to go beyond that.. Outside of the uni I have learnt, jquery, wordpress how to use mysql etc. and the tech guys can help with mysql, jQuery etc..

 

As well as the production stuff, we learn theory such as typography, history of design, semiotics etc.. but it is mainly a production course.

 

Anyway thats my review on the first year.. and personally I cannot wait for the second year. From current second years we have found out that we get to make our own social-networking website, create games and stuff and it sounds fun

 

So far its been the time of my life

 

Long post... so in summary.. come to bournemouth tis amaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!

 

Hope that helps, and no I don't work for Bournemouth or anything

If you have any questions regarding the course or uni feel fre to PM me

Thanks Chris that was a reallyyyyy helpful post, I'll look into that course it sounds great !

 

Edit:

 

Is the one you were talking about ?

 

Link

Hi Thomas,

 

Modelmaking as in plastic models or as in 3d models for games?

 

Are you still in the Bournemouth area?

 

 

Reaper

 

The course was mainly physical models (any material thinkable - no Airfix models ) But it allowed to focus more towards digital. One of the people in my class went for the digital route. I think we proceeded for a Master at Bournemouth Uni.

I'm myself doing mainly digital work now at an architectural office back home here in Trondheim. Will be passing by in September though, when I'm visiting for one of my uni-friend's wedding.

Thanks Chris that was a reallyyyyy helpful post, I'll look into that course it sounds great !

 

Edit:

 

Is the one you were talking about ?

 

Link

 

Yes indeed that is the one! If you have any questions about the course, or anything about the uni just ask

I've been looking through the Bournemouth ( and many others ) prospectuses and I've noticed that a lot of the course's seem to have content that overlaps.

 

Is this the case with many courses because I'm finding it really hard to differentiate between them, they all sound so similar

paper means nothing. In my entire freelance career I have never used my CV once. Portfolio is 100% everything in this industry, sorry.

I've been looking through the Bournemouth ( and many others ) prospectuses and I've noticed that a lot of the course's seem to have content that overlaps.

 

Is this the case with many courses because I'm finding it really hard to differentiate between them, they all sound so similar

 

A lot of courses do sound similar, but the best way is to go to open days and actually find out what they are like as they DO differ.

 

For example I applied for Bournemouth (twice), Sheffield Hallam, Portsmouth and Lincoln. The Portsmouth course was actually really more of a graphics course and you had to do maths lectures (so that was a no for me )..

 

The Sheffield Hallam course I found was more analysing media rather than producing.

 

I also applied for Media Technology at Bournemouth but that was all sound based I found and very heavy on hardware rather then design for media.

 

Then Lincoln and the IMP course at Bournemouth were the two I fell in love with

They both looked amazing to start with, but when I went to look around these uni's they confirmed what I was thinking. Both design/production based, pretty similar courses overall.

 

But Bournemouth impressed me them most, as I loved it there and infact went for 2 open days and a taster day before actually starting!

 

My advice is to go to the open days, you get to find a lot more about the uni's, see their facilities, meet the staff, ask lots of questions and get to view student work. (Never know if you go to bournemouth, may see some of mine )

 

paper means nothing. In my entire freelance career I have never used my CV once. Portfolio is 100% everything in this industry, sorry.

 

I agree, when going for a job portfolio is probably the best way to show of what you can do... but university allows you to LEARN how to do things properly, get experience, allow you to design things to be put in your portfolio and get clients a long the way.