Learn the web series 1

Introduction

Where Do IStart?

The Web has been around for more than 20 years now, experiencing euphoric early expansion, an economic-driven bust, an innovation-driven rebirth, and constant evolution along the way. One thing is certain: the Web as a communication and commercial medium is here to stay. Not only that, it has found its way onto devices such as smartphones, tablets, TVs, and more. There have never been more opportunities to put web design know how to use.

Through my experience teaching web design courses and workshops, I’ve had the opportunity to meet people of all backgrounds who are interested in learning how to build web pages. Allow me to introduce you to just a few:

“I’ve been a print designer for 17 years, and now I am feeling pressure to

provide web design services.”

“I work as a secretary in a small office. My boss has asked me to put together

a small internal website to share company information among employees.”

“I’ve been a programmer for years, but I want to try my hand at design. I feel

like the Web is a good opportunity to explore new skills.”

“I am an artist and I want to know how to get samples of my paintings and

sculpture online.”

“I tinkered with web pages in high school and I think it might be something

I’d like to do for a living.”

Whatever the motivation, the first question is always the same: “Where do I start?” It may seem like there is a mountain of stuff to learn, and it’s not easy to know where to jump in. But you have to start somewhere.

This  Series attempts to put the learning curve in perspective by answering the most common questions I get asked by people ready to make the leap.

It provides an introduction to the disciplines, technologies, and tools associated with web design.

Where Do I Start?

Your particular starting point will no doubt depend on your background and goals. However, a good first step for everyone is to get a basic understanding of how the Web and web pages work. This series will give you that foundation.

Once you learn the fundamentals, there are plenty of resources on the Web and in bookstores for you to further your learning in specific areas.

There are many levels of involvement in web design, from building a small site for yourself to making it a full-blown career. You may enjoy being a full service website developer or just specializing in one skill. There are a lot of ways you can go.

If your involvement in web design is purely at the hobbyist level, or if you have just one or two web projects you’d like to publish, you may find that a combination of personal research (like reading this series), taking advantage of available templates, and perhaps even investing in a visual web design tool such as Adobe Dreamweaver may be all you need to accomplish the task at hand. Many Continuing Education programs offer introductory courses to web design and production.

If you are interested in pursuing web design or production as a career, you’ll need to bring your skills up to a professional level. Employers may not require a web design degree, but they will expect to see working sample sites that demonstrate your skills and experience. These sites can be the result of

class assignments, personal projects, or a simple site for a small business or organization. What’s important is that they look professional and have well written, clean HTML, style sheets, and possibly scripts behind the scenes. Getting an entry-level job and working as part of a team is a great way to learn how larger sites are constructed and can help you decide which aspects

of web design you would like to pursue.

What Does a Web Designer Do?

Over the years, the term “web design” has become a catchall for a process that encompasses a number of different disciplines, from user experience design, to document markup, to serious programming. This section describes some of the most common roles. If you are designing a small website on your own, you will need to wear many hats. The good news is that you probably won’t notice. Consider that the day-to-day upkeep of your household requires you to be part-time chef,

house cleaner, accountant, diplomat, gardener, and construction worker— but to you it’s just the stuff you do around the house. In the same way, as a solo web designer, you may be a part-time graphic designer, writer, HTML author, and information architect, but to you, it’ll just feel like “making web

pages.” Nothing to worry about.

There are also specialists out there whom you can hire to fill in the skills

you don’t have.  

Large-scale websites are almost always created by a team of people, numbering from a handful to hundreds. In this scenario, each member of the team focuses on one facet of the site-building process. If that is the case, you may be able to simply adapt your current set of skills (writing, Photoshop, programming, etc.) and interests to the new medium.

I’ve divided the myriad roles and responsibilities typically covered under the umbrella term “web design” into four very broad categories: design, development, content strategy, and multimedia.

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