Hi all,

 

I have been learning html and css for around a year now. I havn't been able to devote as much time to it as I would have like due to other commitments. However, I feel that I have developed a good grasp of the basics. I have managed to gain a basis understanding of html and css which includes layouts (fixed, flexible and responsive), navigation (vertical, horizontal and drop-down), forms, CSS effects for buttons, transitions, etc.

 

To date I have been relatively happy me with my progrss. However, when I picked up The Web Designers Idea Book for inspiration on what to do next I feel thoroughly demotivated. Some of the websites I have been looking at are:

• http://dimitropoulos.info/
• http://sosweetcreative.com/
• http://ricebowls.org/
• http://explorestlouis.com/

I am really struggling to go from designing basic webpages which might be functional but look somewhat boring to creating something far more eye catching like the above. A lot of the eye catching websites have impressive background images and logos. Would this be something I would need to learn how to create? Do I need to learn Photoshop to add more interesting designs to my website? I have read that CSS has improved greatly in recent years which reduces a lot of the need to use Photoshop. I saw the below course on TutsPlus which looked quite good as it shows you how to design a website from scratch. Although it does not show you how to code it.

 

http://courses.tutsplus.com/courses/mastering-retro-web-design

 

Essentially I am struggling to advance any further as feel quite lost and not sure what to learn next. There seems to be a lot of books and videos available, however, they mainly cover the basics. I could be wrong so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone have any good tutorials or books to recommend?

 

Many thanks.

From personal experience, I just continue designing websites (it earns me some extra on the side) and throughout the projects I always come across something I struggle with. Once I'm done with the project and overcome the problem, I tend to look at what I struggled with and then focus on making sure I will not struggle on that again.

I don't think anyone can ever be "perfectly done" with design, you can always continue to get better - I wouldn't say web design is something you can reach the top of, so imo just continue what you are doing, I'm sure you'll have more to learn when the time comes.

As you've found, there's a lot more to web design than learning HTML and CSS. Large web design agencies will usually employ a team of people skilled at different aspects of the process from visual design to backend development. If you are aiming to find employment at an agency like this, I would suggest you specialise in one area such as frontend development. If you plan to work for yourself you will need to have a good grasp of all these skills, but don't expect to compare your work with that created by a big team. I would recommend keeping things simple, and make sure you answer what goals the website needs to achieve rather than including fancy effects for no reason. Good luck!

Thanks for the tips.

 

Sysode: I agree completely. For example, if I was coding a website which I wanted a drop down menu on and did not know how to do it, I would spend the time working out how to do it and would be something which I would feel more confident doing in the future.

 

Pippin62: This was something which worried me. I want to start out doing freelance work to build my portfolio up and then look for agency work. I much prefer the development side of things and have been learning JavaScript. If I want to concentrate on front end development how do I ensure that the websites I am building still look attractive in terms of design? Should I stick with simple but well built websites and avoid fancy images which would require a solid grounding in web design?

If I want to concentrate on front end development how do I ensure that the websites I am building still look attractive in terms of design? Should I stick with simple but well built websites and avoid fancy images which would require a solid grounding in web design?

 

Heres my two cents:

 

• Look at sites like Pinterest, dribbble,Behance etc.
• Make notes of what you like when you see it (if you pick multiple things from designs that are made by multiple different designers, your style will comprise of a mix of your own inspirations making your own style unique)
• Find a site you like and build it from scratch with code or PS etc
• Carry a note book around with you and a pen/pencil so when you get ideas you can make a note.
• Look at everything for design ideas. Logos and posters are easy but look at shop signs, cars, furniture, technology, photos and also make a note of colours that you like, maybe even take a picture of a colour you like so that you can eye drop it in Photoshop

Im not sure what you mean about the images part - A good design will use what ever it needs to get the message across, imagery, colours, typefaces, wording whatever is needed.

 

When you say 'fancy images' do you mean some graphics that have been created in photoshop or illustrator etc? if that is the case, just spend some time learning the software.

Thanks for tips.