Hello,

 

I am thinking of starting a career designing web sites but do not know how to get started. I have several questions:

 

1) What programs/skills do I need to learn immediately? (dreamweaver,SEO etc)

2) Is it advisable to earn a certificate in web design from a college/university?

3) If customers are only interested in someone to make their web site and do not know the difference between a web design/web developer, isn't it implied that I would have to learn the skills of web design and development?

 

Ultimately, I would prefer to do freelance work as a web designer primarily in my future.

 

Any information on this matter is greatly appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

I'll just say straight off the bat that learning Dreamweaver and SEO aren't immediately necessary, Dreamweaver isn't even necessary whatsoever really.

 

A web designer traditionally has comprehensive knowledge of common designing programs, chiefly Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash and InDesign, and they'll have a basic understanding of HTML and CSS. A web developer on the other hand (a front-end developer, that is) must have a comprehensive understanding of HTML, CSS and often JavaScript, and knowledge of Adobe design products is often desired by not essential. Basically, if you insist on falling onto only one of the sides, then decide if you'd prefer to design website layouts, logos etc and study design software, or if you'd rather develop websites using HTML and CSS coding. Ideally though, you'll have a good understanding of both website design and development.

 

You don't need a qualification, although if you're shooting for a job then employers do tend towards degree holders. The only thing you really need is an extensive portfolio employers and clients can drool over, the bigger the better.

Was just about to say to refer to the other thread about designer vs dev but they're valid questions, I guess. More or less echoing what throzen said above, but to answer your questions (I speak from a freelance designer perspective rather than developer):

 

1. HTML, CSS goes without saying regardless of postition. JavaScript would be my next recommendation then on top of that any discipline you want to focus on - front-end/backend stuff such as PHP, Ruby, MySQL etc... One thing I will bring up is that an understanding of SEO is important when building a site. You don't necessarily have to be an expert in SEO (though that would be an advantage) as you can outsource to someone who specialises in that. Design, Development and Marketing are professions, so it's not realistic to be able to juggle all so well on your own. There are others better on this subject (I'm not SEO, man) but members such as BrowserBugs has made some excellent points about what we need when freelancing.

 

2. As throzen said, you don't really need the qualification but (especially around this time of the year) certain recruiters will be looking for graduates. If you have the equivalent experience and portfolio, you're in luck.

 

3. It depends how you market yourself. If your portfolio shows a variety of work and you've created it alone, potential clients would base it on what you've exhibited rather than your title. More and more people are becoming 'well read' on various fields but have no real life experience. You might get the odd client telling you what a designer does or doesn't, but predominantly, you're the professional and that's why they come to you. If at any time you can't do certain aspects of the job, outsource it.