Hey guys.

 

I'm 15, so still in school but leaving in 5 months and starting Sixth form in 8 (O.O)..

 

I'm taking ICT, Computer Programming, German na dsomething else for my 4 options.

 

but at Uni, i'm not sure which course is fully recognised by companies wishing to employ a web-designer.

 

Which courses have you taken (f any) and how long did they take?

 

[And were they worth it? ]

 

Regards,

Jamiee™.

I'd say pick up a general IT course in Computer Science.

 

Programming, AI, Fundamentals etc for your first year at least. This will give you a taste of which area to specialise.

 

From home do as much studying as possible in Web Design if that is what you want to pursue.

 

This way when you go into the real World for work, not only do you have a specialist subject but you know the key concepts to running or working within a digital company. Who rely heavily on tech (not just the design) to run their business.

 

I'd also recommend some sort of business course if you plan to deal with larger companies. Something i regret not doing.

 

I'd also recommend some sort of business course if you plan to deal with larger companies. Something i regret not doing.

 

Hey just out of interest how come you regret not doing it?

One thing I always make sure people understand and thats the difference between Web Design and Web Development. If you become a Web Designer, you may create good looking websites, but if you build it with just HTML/CSS it will be quite a basic, static site, that in my opinion does not deserve to be built these days. Whereas a Web Developer will be able to build dynamic and functional websites that actually serve more of a purpose than a "brochure website". Ideally a Web designer will design the site and the Developer build it. To be the developer and build sites you need server side scripting languages like PHP/MySQL or ASP/MSSQL. Content Managers should be the norm. To design a site then graphic design skills are necessray, User Experience understanding (UX) and things like that. Its not enought to just learn HTML/CSS these days, you need a lot more to build a good website.

If you are a graphic designer UX, UI design are all part of the fundamentals mate. It's how an image is received ... then perceived. THe power of communication is powerful and being a designer you need to "develop" a solution to communicate an idea.

 

If you are good at that gig alone it is a skill not to be mocked. Someone posted a recent letter from a client to a graphic designer which kinda says it all really.

 

The argument is, do you specialise and shoot for big companies who seek specialist designers, or do you branch off and do a bit of everything. Chances are you will end up doing a bit of everything as specialising can be a risky game especially if you are just not specialist enough.

 

So in order to expand your market you end up doing a bit of everything and attracing clients looking for different types of services.

 

I think if you want work on the web and communicate ideas, you will need to have a taste of everything above to get started. Once you have a play and become comfortable in your surroundings it is time to aim for your specialist area and hit a home run.