Hi everybody!

 

Please help me guys. I'm a new comer in web desing (well not even that ), and don't know anything about the CS softwares, except for that the pack has really great top features inc. Photoshop and Dreamweaver.

 

I am in front of the start line, and have a major problem, before I could even begin studying.

 

Is it OK, if I start to learn CS4 (regarding to that the college I found has this previous version of the pack), and later I could pick up the new stuff from the CS5, or I should start searching for the more expensive "1 in a 100" courses that teaches CS5.

 

I wanted study this a very long time ago, and now I found a school that actually gives certificate + portfolio in a short time like 10-12 weeks.

 

Does it worth to start with the CS4, or not.

 

Thanks for reading my question, and I hope someone experienced in the field can help me out in this.

 

Thanks again, and have a great day!

Welcome to WDF!

 

The actual software you use shouldn't matter, Adobe products are just some of the hundreds of alternatives web designers use.

 

Assuming you already have CS4, then CS5 won't be very different to use. There may be some new features and minor differences in the UI but the process of using the sofware will be virtually identical.

Welcome

 

Give it a few weeks looking around and you will find how much you have to learn, years and years worth. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING, ITS FUN MOST OF THE TIME.

 

I’m with BlueDreamer it doesn’t matter about CS4 or 5 as by the time you get used to the 1000’s of things (and I mean 1000’s of things on CS4 there will be a CS6) also Adobe Creative Suite is not “web design” it is one of many items of software for the web.

 

You will find that a college can’t really give you a portfolio only time and dedication will.

 

Also not putting the course down before you start but if you haven’t already paid and signed up look at all the free stuff on the web or cheaper online tutorial sites you can pay monthly for. You will learn some stuff from a course but something that takes 10-12 weeks is nothing in the scope of web design/development.

 

Hope I haven’t scared you to much.

 

Torrix

Welcome to WDF!

 

The actual software you use shouldn't matter, Adobe products are just some of the hundreds of alternatives web designers use.

 

Assuming you already have CS4, then CS5 won't be very different to use. There may be some new features and minor differences in the UI but the process of using the sofware will be virtually identical.

 

Hi BlueDreamer,

 

Thanks for your answer.

I am literally in the start line, and I haven't got any knowledge of the CS nor any web designing skills.

Do you agree with Torrix, that searching for free or almost free stuff on the Internet, than learning from there would be less expensive and just as useful as being on a training with a tutor for someone, who is starting from zero?

(sorry if my English is not understandable, not my first language.)

Thanks

Welcome

 

Give it a few weeks looking around and you will find how much you have to learn, years and years worth. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING, ITS FUN MOST OF THE TIME.

 

I’m with BlueDreamer it doesn’t matter about CS4 or 5 as by the time you get used to the 1000’s of things (and I mean 1000’s of things on CS4 there will be a CS6) also Adobe Creative Suite is not “web design” it is one of many items of software for the web.

 

You will find that a college can’t really give you a portfolio only time and dedication will.

 

Also not putting the course down before you start but if you haven’t already paid and signed up look at all the free stuff on the web or cheaper online tutorial sites you can pay monthly for. You will learn some stuff from a course but something that takes 10-12 weeks is nothing in the scope of web design/development.

 

Hope I haven’t scared you to much.

 

Torrix

 

Thank you Torrix. I haven't singed up yet. Have the free and almost free online tutorials the same credibility as the 10 - 12+ weeks tutor led course, if I don't have any knowledge in web design at all?

Thank you

Thank you Torrix. I haven't singed up yet. Have the free and almost free online tutorials the same credibility as the 10 - 12+ weeks tutor led course, if I don't have any knowledge in web design at all?

Thank you

 

Well I can’t promise anything is going to be better or worse.

 

How much is the course - do you have a list of the course content?

 

I was made redundant and decided I should use some of the money to do a full blown course; after lots and lots of research I found the content of the course was not as much as I thought and you were paying for the tutor’s time mainly. (Note this course was home learning and for a couple of years)

 

Time and practice is best; a lot like life you can be taught something but you only learn something afterwards. (Its like being “taught” to drive you pass a test but you are still learning way after getting your licence)

Well I cant promise anything is going to be better or worse.

 

How much is the course - do you have a list of the course content?

 

I was made redundant and decided I should use some of the money to do a full blown course; after lots and lots of research I found the content of the course was not as much as I thought and you were paying for the tutors time mainly. (Note this course was home learning and for a couple of years)

 

Time and practice is best; a lot like life you can be taught something but you only learn something afterwards. (Its like being taught to drive you pass a test but you are still learning way after getting your licence)

 

Yes, I understand what you mean. I hoped web design might be like this, otherwise it would become quiet boring after a while.

 

The course would cost £900, lasts for 12 weeks, 2 sessions each week.

I'm not sure if I can write the name of the school here, so for now I won't.

The course is: Web Design and Graphic Design,

the content of the course:

HTML, Dreamweaver, CSS, JavaScript, Photoshop, Flash

This seems a lot of money to me.

 

May I suggest you take a look at http://www.lynda.com/ where they have a huge selection of video tutorials on every element of web design and development - including CS4.

 

If you have never dabbled in web design, can I suggest you download something like Web Design Fundamentals

and if you like it and get on with it, go for your £900 course. It would be a horrible waste of money if you find ya hate it half way through!

 

Also the software is secondary to knowing how to create, design and code a website. So dont worry too much about Adobe for now.

 

Keep in touch here and let us know how ya get on...

 

Regs,

Numb

Yes, I understand what you mean. I hoped web design might be like this, otherwise it would become quiet boring after a while.

 

The course would cost £900, lasts for 12 weeks, 2 sessions each week.

I'm not sure if I can write the name of the school here, so for now I won't.

The course is: Web Design and Graphic Design,

the content of the course:

HTML, Dreamweaver, CSS, JavaScript, Photoshop, Flash

 

this reply is short and sweet as wife asleep..! (ill reply in more detail tomorrow)

 

Put it this way I use Lynda and if you used £900 but paid monthly you would get well over 4 years worth, and that’s for most common software not just the short list you gave.

 

Not to be to blunt but if you could use correctly and to a professional capacity the following in 12 weeks at only 2 lessons a week:

 

HTML, Dreamweaver, CSS, JavaScript, Photoshop, Flash

 

The teacher/tutor is a web design/web developer GOD…..!

This seems a lot of money to me.

 

May I suggest you take a look at http://www.lynda.com/ where they have a huge selection of video tutorials on every element of web design and development - including CS4.

 

If you have never dabbled in web design, can I suggest you download something like Web Design Fundamentals

and if you like it and get on with it, go for your £900 course. It would be a horrible waste of money if you find ya hate it half way through!

 

Also the software is secondary to knowing how to create, design and code a website. So dont worry too much about Adobe for now.

 

Keep in touch here and let us know how ya get on...

 

Regs,

Numb

 

Hi Numb,

 

Thanks very much for the hints, I will definitely check the sites out.

Although, I am curious that how many people did start a web design career like this?

I mean from scratch by self-paced home learning courses. And for how long it should be until I will be able to create my first own website, which I can use in my portfolio with pride, if I am willing to study I study at least 3-5 hours a day.

Do I need any kind of certification besides my portfilio at the beginning?

 

Thanks for your time!

 

Regards,

abacusTMe

this reply is short and sweet as wife asleep..! (ill reply in more detail tomorrow)

 

Put it this way I use Lynda and if you used £900 but paid monthly you would get well over 4 years worth, and thats for most common software not just the short list you gave.

 

Not to be to blunt but if you could use correctly and to a professional capacity the following in 12 weeks at only 2 lessons a week:

 

HTML, Dreamweaver, CSS, JavaScript, Photoshop, Flash

 

The teacher/tutor is a web design/web developer GOD…..!

 

 

 

I start being sure that I've came to the right place to ask about what I've asked!

Did you start this career from self-paced home training, or you're using Lynda for learning since you finished your course in a proper school?

I do not doubt, that what you're saying is true, but in the other hand, if that's so unlikely for tutors to teach the basics of web design within 12 weeks 2 sessions each, than why would they pawn their good names? Probably they would get away with it for the first few times, but they still on the field for about 10 years now (lsce).

 

Thanks for the lessons

Torrix gives good advice!

 

Did you start this career from self-paced home training, or you're using Lynda for learning since you finished your course in a proper school?

You'll find that most [successful] web designers are basically self taught. Some may have formal qualifications in complimentry subjects like graphic design, programming, marketing etc but a lot don't have any bits of paper at all. In short qualifications aren't necessary but knowledge, skills and abilities count.

 

There are literally thousands of web site offering tutorials, Lynda.com is just one. Do a search on these forums because people have posted loads of links to tutorial sites. Incidently the same goes for software of which there are literally 100's of code editors alone - Dreamweaver isn't the only one of it's type

 

I do not doubt, that what you're saying is true, but in the other hand, if that's so unlikely for tutors to teach the basics of web design within 12 weeks 2 sessions each, than why would they pawn their good names? Probably they would get away with it for the first few times, but they still on the field for about 10 years now (lsce).

The big problem with "learning web design" in an educational establishment is that the courses tend to be way out of date, plus the fact that they often only teach you how to use generic software and never venture into the real stuff.

 

The landscape of the internet, in particular building web sites, is changing at a furious pace and some things we were doing 12 months ago are now being replaced with new methods and techniques. From your example 24 sessions may be enough to get a good grasp on HTML and CSS, but javascript, graphic, and Flash would take a lot lot longer to pick up.

 

One last point, no matter how good a web designer is they are always learning. This business is like that!

Edited June 22, 201016 yr by BlueDreamer

I would say your better off utilising the many tutorials available on the internet. Taking the course might be good to give you "direction", but if your dedicated you could get just as much achieved using the vast resources available to you via the internet.

 

I started web design back in February, and I have progressed so far since then. There is a lot to learn, and I am nowhere near knowing even a moderate percentage of it, but I have all the foundations in place, and from here the only way is up. I am entirely self taught, and registering to a forum such as this, as you have done, will help you infinitely.

 

I second what someone said above; subscribe to lynda.com. I think its about $40 for a months access with source files. Start off working through XHTML and CSS tutorials, then progress on to Photoshop - I highly recommend the series "photo shop one on one" with Deke Mclelland. It took me about 3 weeks to work through a substantial number of these tutorials, and then I was converting photoshop documents to valid XHTML and CSS without too much difficulty.

 

 

Kyle

Torrix gives good advice!

 

 

You'll find that most [successful] web designers are basically self taught. Some may have formal qualifications in complimentry subjects like graphic design, programming, marketing etc but a lot don't have any bits of paper at all. In short qualifications aren't necessary but knowledge, skills and abilities count.

 

There are literally thousands of web site offering tutorials, Lynda.com is just one. Do a search on these forums because people have posted loads of links to tutorial sites. Incidently the same goes for software of which there are literally 100's of code editors alone - Dreamweaver isn't the only one of it's type

 

 

The big problem with "learning web design" in an educational establishment is that the courses tend to be way out of date, plus the fact that they often only teach you how to use generic software and never venture into the real stuff.

 

The landscape of the internet, in particular building web sites, is changing at a furious pace and some things we were doing 12 months ago are now being replaced with new methods and techniques. From your example 24 sessions may be enough to get a good grasp on HTML and CSS, but javascript, graphic, and Flash would take a lot lot longer to pick up.

 

One last point, no matter how good a web designer is they are always learning. This business is like that!

 

Hi BlueDreamer,

 

I checked out the site (lynda), and it seems pretty good. Actually it helps a lot that I found this forum with you guys in it. I was kind of sure that to become a web designer, people need to get a certificate at least, if not a diploma for the basics, too.

I'm not saying it's easy to train yourself, I don't know it yet. But I think that probably who trained themselves, stick harder to what they know.

 

Thank you for taking me towards the good direction!

I would say your better off utilising the many tutorials available on the internet. Taking the course might be good to give you "direction", but if your dedicated you could get just as much achieved using the vast resources available to you via the internet.

 

I started web design back in February, and I have progressed so far since then. There is a lot to learn, and I am nowhere near knowing even a moderate percentage of it, but I have all the foundations in place, and from here the only way is up. I am entirely self taught, and registering to a forum such as this, as you have done, will help you infinitely.

 

I second what someone said above; subscribe to lynda.com. I think its about $40 for a months access with source files. Start off working through XHTML and CSS tutorials, then progress on to Photoshop - I highly recommend the series "photo shop one on one" with Deke Mclelland. It took me about 3 weeks to work through a substantial number of these tutorials, and then I was converting photoshop documents to valid XHTML and CSS without too much difficulty.

 

 

Kyle

 

Hello Kyle,

 

In 5 months were you being able to build a website you could use in your portfolio for job search?

Thanks for the hints!

Hello Kyle,

 

In 5 months were you being able to build a website you could use in your portfolio for job search?

Thanks for the hints!

 

Yeah, I started my first website project in March - albeit a pretty basic one, but thats all the client required, and was well suited to my basic skills at the time. I then had my second project in May - Marah Whitehead Ceramics - which you can check out on my website in the portfolio section (link in signature). Before, inbetween and after these projects I spent all available time just reading up on and learning everything website related I could get my hands on; playing around with photoshop, converting photoshop documents to XHTML/CSS, creating template websites for fun/experience, starting to incorporate some JQuery...

 

I completed my portfolio website and uploaded it only last week. So yeah it is entirely possible to get your own personal website up and running, with one or two pieces of work to display in your portfolio within 5 months. It just all comes down to how you apply yourself to the learning process.

 

I went from not understanding what a div was in february, to this stage 5 months later.

 

 

Kyle

Yeah, I started my first website project in March - albeit a pretty basic one, but thats all the client required, and was well suited to my basic skills at the time. I then had my second project in May - Marah Whitehead Ceramics - which you can check out on my website in the portfolio section (link in signature). Before, inbetween and after these projects I spent all available time just reading up on and learning everything website related I could get my hands on; playing around with photoshop, converting photoshop documents to XHTML/CSS, creating template websites for fun/experience, starting to incorporate some JQuery...

 

I completed my portfolio website and uploaded it only last week. So yeah it is entirely possible to get your own personal website up and running, with one or two pieces of work to display in your portfolio within 5 months. It just all comes down to how you apply yourself to the learning process.

 

I went from not understanding what a div was in february, to this stage 5 months later.

 

 

Kyle

 

Hello Kyle,

 

I just checked out your work, and can say that I'm impressed by what you've achived in a couple of months and sets me a great example. I learned already some things from your website. And I like the funny bird on the side

Hello Kyle,

 

I just checked out your work, and can say that I'm impressed by what you've achived in a couple of months and sets me a great example. I learned already some things from your website. And I like the funny bird on the side

 

haha, thanks. Hes the result of my first attempt at Adobe Illustrator; gotta start somewhere! lol.

 

You just got to keep at it man, at first it feels like theres an overwhelming amount of stuff to learn, but it all starts falling into place if you persevere. Just take everything one step at a time. Get your XHTML and CSS sorted as soon as possible, before you even think of anything else. Then start dabbling in photoshop and start converting photoshop documents to XHTML and CSS. As soon as you finish your first website, it will all be worth it trust me - its incredibly satisfying! In the meantime, if you run into any problems, you have the wonderful resource that is this forum at your disposal; its saved my ass a few times!

 

 

Kyle

haha, thanks. Hes the result of my first attempt at Adobe Illustrator; gotta start somewhere! lol.

 

You just got to keep at it man, at first it feels like theres an overwhelming amount of stuff to learn, but it all starts falling into place if you persevere. Just take everything one step at a time. Get your XHTML and CSS sorted as soon as possible, before you even think of anything else. Then start dabbling in photoshop and start converting photoshop documents to XHTML and CSS. As soon as you finish your first website, it will all be worth it trust me - its incredibly satisfying! In the meantime, if you run into any problems, you have the wonderful resource that is this forum at your disposal; its saved my ass a few times!

 

 

Kyle

 

I signed up to lynda.com yesterday, and started learning xhtml basics. I discovered the hexadecimal numbers at the color tag, and was so happy being able to change the colours of the background from white to blue and so on lol. Of course you all knew that little trick long time ago, but it felt goood...

 

abacusTMe

Thanks to all of you who're helping me with hints!!!

It may be worth looking at the Adobe Certified Expert Qualifications

 

I have gained 4 in CS3 and learnt a huge amount. To be honest I only ever use about 20% of the tools in each on a regualr basis but to know the potential helps. Also they are respected by employment agencies within the trade and employers but not all know about them yet. Cost about £100 for each exam. They won't make you a great designer though, they just test your knowledge but combined with experience they are well worth it.

It may be worth looking at the Adobe Certified Expert Qualifications

 

I have gained 4 in CS3 and learnt a huge amount. To be honest I only ever use about 20% of the tools in each on a regualr basis but to know the potential helps. Also they are respected by employment agencies within the trade and employers but not all know about them yet. Cost about £100 for each exam. They won't make you a great designer though, they just test your knowledge but combined with experience they are well worth it.

 

Another worthy designer on the field!!!

Probably I will keep continueing the course for xhtml, than css and photoshop for the beginning. I suspect (because people whispered it ), that this is the main core of the whole concept of web desing.

Now I know about adobe certifications, thanks to you. Regarding to the core of web design, would you suggest the same scenario?

 

Thanks Berry!

 

Regards,

 

Tom