College to Learn Web Design?
A common question I get from people, is whether it makes sense to go to college to learn web design?
I’ve talked about the web design profession in other articles. Yet, as you will see in the following email I recently got, I haven’t dealt with all the issues regarding web design and education:
Hi Stefan,
Anyway, I am interested in web design. I am in the middle of trying to figure out whether I should go to my local community colleges for courses in HTML, photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc … or an actual art school for graphic art/ web design. Of course cost is a factor.
I am a mother of two, and my work schedule needs to be flexible. I am very creative and have a great eye for design.
My question is, which course of action you recommend? How much education is necessary? Is a degree necessary, if so, what type? associate, bachelors, certificate?
What are the salary potentials in web design working for yourself and for outside companies (I have research outside company positions advertising 40k – 50k, is that realistic?)
I’m not young, (a youthful 44) and I really need to do something in the form of a career for myself, other than taking care of everyone else.
Thank you so much for your time-
Sandy
-
First, let me begin by saying that college degrees always help when looking to get hired as an employee. This is especially true in larger companies, where they have strict rules (in their HR departments) that have to be followed.
On the other hand, if you are looking to become an independent contractor, degrees from college won’t help much … if at all.
How much education is necessary? Is a degree necessary, if so, what type? associate, bachelors, certificate?
The most important thing to have in the web design field is skill and experience. If you have a solid portfolio, where you showcase your talents as a web designer or web developer; that will go a long way to securing a job.
… When I hire people, I look at their past work and skills before their degrees.
I would argue that if you have say, a bachelors in some other field (art, history) and then you supplement that with a certificate in web design, you would be better off than if you just had a tech certificate only. I have found that companies tend to like university graduates more than tech school grades.
Web Design Salaries
I can’t speak to exact salaries, as this will change from state to state or country to country. But I know that in large companies, degrees play a big role in terms of your earning potential. But again, more important than a college degree, is your skills.
Web Design’s Most Valuable Skills
Typically, the more technically advanced your skills are, the more money you will make. And this applies to both freelancers and employees.
So unless your a fantastic artist (in the top 1%) I would be working towards learning more and more advanced skills like PHP, Javascript, Flash and AJAX. Not only will you be able to command a higher wage, you will be opening yourself up to many more job opportunities.
Case in point .. me!
When I was a really active contractor, I found myself more and more busy as I learned new languages.
Over the years, I have done commercial work with around 9 programming languages! When you have that kind of flexibility and experience … it’s hard NOT finding work.
Stefan Mischook
www.killersites.com
www.killerphp.com
January 14th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Hi—Stefan:
I did not write that email, but it might as well have been me. It’s the same exact question i’ve been asking myself lately.
I too am interested in web design, specifically blog design skills: wordpress and blogger themes. I guess the skills required for this line of work, is programming languages.
For wordpress and blogger it would be PHP, correct?
January 14th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
You don’t need to know programming to edit blog templates (I’ll show you that soon enough in a new Wordpress theme video I am creating) but it does help a lot.
The language of choice depends on your blog software of choice: if the blog is written in PHP, then you need to learn PHP.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:52 am
Stefan-
Thanks for your answer. It was helpful. I looked into a technical school today, which requires alot of general ed along with it. I personally don’t have the time for the general ed.
I am now looking into my nearest junior college, and I am overwhelmed and confused still.
What exact programs do you suggest I learn to create and run good – great websites? The tech school really emphasized illustrator, photoshop and html as prerequisites to all of the web programming.
I am unclear as to the differences between web programmer, developer and designer. Jobs I look up seem to want all of them in one person. I want to design, but do I need to know programs of the other two to do so?
Thanks again,
Suzy
January 15th, 2008 at 9:28 am
“What exact programs do you suggest I learn to create and run good – great websites? ”
Good question! In the old days using Photoshop (or some other photo editing program) was central to web design – those days are gone in my opinion.
… To be clear, it is always good to have basic photo editing skills (and Photoshop dominates that field,) but it is much less important than it used to be because of the way web design techniques have evolved.
HTML is the code behind every web page – you have to learn HTML! But don’t get nervous about that, HTML is not that hard.
“I am unclear as to the differences between web programmer, developer and designer.”
A web programmer is a web developer. The terms ‘developer’ and ‘programmer’ are used interchangeably by nerds.
A web developer is concerned about the functionality of a web site .. more so than the look or style. For example, think about building things like:
- blogs
- shopping carts
- processing HTML forms
On the other hand, a web designer is more concerned with the design and less about the functionality of a web site. Web designers need to understand code (HTML and CSS) but they are not necessarily programmers.
Note: I should point out that I believe that web design (as a profession) is getting to the point where I believe that even web designers should learn some basic programming skills – PHP (www.killerphp.com) is my choice language.
This may seem confusing to you now, but with just a little learning, it will make perfect sense.
What should you do?
If you prefer to become a web designer,then you will need to learn Photoshop and Dreamweaver along with HTML and CSS.
My suggestion to you is that you learn some basic web design and then decide on what course/program at school you MAY want to take. With just a little self study, you can make a much more informed choice and potentially save yourself a lot of grief.
My suggested action plan:
1. Learn basic web design – that means HTML and CSS.
2. Learn to use Dreamweaver.
3. Get back to me with your thoughts.
Start here: http://www.how-to-build-websites.com
This will take you from a few hours to a few days to complete, depending on your basic computer knowledge.
If you prefer to watch and listen, I have video tutorials as well:
http://www.killersites.com/web-design/
Hope that helps,
Stefan
January 15th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Thanks a bunch Stefan
January 15th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Thank you, Stefan. Really good advice amd tips. I too was abit confused on the terms of developer and programmer.
I appreciate your candor and your help. Will visit your basic web design skills site above.
January 18th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Hi Sandy,
This is a very interesting topic, and I may be able to add just a small bit of useful information, since I have actually gone through what you are considering.
I started my college education with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Computer IT. My main objective was to learn to build and maintain networks and computer systems.
While in that program at Heald College, I wound up taking an elective class in web design. I really liked it and decided to pursue it further. After graduation, I found I had the computer skills I had set out to learn, but I also had a serious desire to pursue web design as a career, so I enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at American Intercontinental University. This time I chose the online program which fit my schedule.
At that time there were no bachelor degree programs exclusively for web design, but the BFA program at AIU had a strong emphasis in web design, so that’s why I chose that program.
I was able to learn and become proficient not only in Dreamweaver, but also Flash, In-Design, Fireworks, Illustrator, and a number of other useful design programs.
The BFA is very helpful in finding a job as a web designer because you get a very good foundation in contemporary design principles which employers really appreciate. The rudimentary principles you develop in college are very marketable and desireable in the job market.
I have worked mostly free-lance since graduation, but I am now expanding my skillsets and polishing up on my css so I can make the transition into a job as a web designer. I’m not the best at marketing my skills so I feel a 9 to 5 might be a good fit.
Anyway, like you I didn’t even go to college until I was 44 years old. I’m 50 now, and after building many sites, I am just now starting to feel like a real web geek.
Is it worth it? I would say it was worth it for me. The degrees will get me the interview, but the skill and experience will get the job.
I can now answer employment ads for designers with a Bachelors degree and a few years experience, which all pay over 50k. Some as high as 70-80k.
Lots better than the 30-40k I made as a truck driver.
Although you could do the exact same thing without college, I would say that if you can afford it, go for it. There are more web design programs out there now, than there were when I first went to college. Check them out thoroughly and make certain that it is exactly the course you want before signing up. Even though my degree had an emphasis in web design, I only came out of college with a basic beginner level of knowledge of web design. I have worked the past few years teaching myself more advanced principles and techniques.
I would recommend using this website as a learning tool since it is about the best I have found. I have gained tons of skills using Stefan’s tutorials, and I plan to use even more in the near future.
The key to success is to apply yourself 100%. Do the work! Don’t look for shortcuts. and if you truly love it, you will succeed.
Best of luck to you…
January 18th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Suzy,
Hi I understand the concern over all the general ed you have to go through in college.
when I went through it I was in my mid 40’s and it was truly teaching new tricks to an old dog! =:]
But I got through it ok.
As far as what to learn…To become a fully rounded web designer, you need to learn at a minimum how to create websites from scratch using Dreamweaver.
You will need to learn to edit if not hand code HTML as well. Also, you will need to edit and optimize images, and graphics for the web using a high end graphics program like Adobe Photoshop, or Macromedia Fireworks.
If you have time Adobe Illustrator is an extremely useful program for creating logos and vector based images for the web and print, since many companies will want you to design their logo as well as the website. If you are diversified enough in your skills, you can earn even more designing for print such as business cards, brochures, and letterhead etc using programs such as In-Design, and Fireworks or Photoshop.
Basically, the more you can do, the more you can earn. If you become proficient in hand-coding HTML and CSS, you can make a pretty good living designing and coding websites.
If you only want to do the design work, there are many opportunities out there, but you have to be REAL GOOD to land a high paying job. The competition in the digital design field is intense, and you will be able to earn more if you can write some kind of code as well.
As you look through the job listings, you can see what skills are most in demand, and you can taylor your learning to fulfill a particular niche that fits your personality and interests.
PHP is very desireable, as is ASP,ASP.net and of course, HTML, XHTML, Javascript, Flash action script, and CSS.
If you learn any of these or a combination, you will be well on your way to a fun and rewarding career with or without college.
Best of luck to you…
=:]
January 21st, 2008 at 5:00 am
Hi there. That was a really great tips. I definitely agree with you Stefan. Interest on a matter is most important thing to consider. You can always learn and improve your self in time but if you got no interest on it, it would be useless.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Great insight Stefan. If you want to work freelance (which is perfectly viable for the right person) you can very easily self-teach yourself. I’m totally self-taught yet am also currently doing a college course to tap up my design skills..
February 5th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I have been in the web design industry for a couple years now, when I first started, I just did it as a hobby.. But now I am the owner of Lettington Designs Inc… I too have taken many college courses and have received all my certificates and diplomas, but I must say. I found most of it a waste of time…I felt like they were teaching me things I already knew. I suggest if you are passionate about web design as I am …and would like to take a knowledgeable course, take internet marketing or a business coarse.
Best of luck..
Jeremy Lettington
Lettington Designs Inc
February 5th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Hi there everyone, Stefan is giving sound advice.
I live in the UK, when I was 15, I started making skateboarding web-sites and self taught myself HTML over a few years. I did go to University to study Graphic Design, and when I graduated I had a two sided coin of graphic skills and basic web site HTML
What got me through the door at the web design company that I work for was my creative skill and ambition to learn. The basic HTML skills that I took into my job where quickly developed into professional skills covering PHP, CSS etc.
I am now 23, and a senior developer at the company that I work for. I enjoy a great salary and a fun working environment.
If you want to work for a web design company then I would recommend getting yourself the basic HTML understanding and not ignoring the Graphic Design side of things.
Web Design Employers want to see creativity and the ability to learn.
Hope that helps.
February 5th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Don’t waste money on college for that. I learned everything I know about design/coding/programming in less than a year. A sample of what I’ve done while at work is airsocom.com, designed by me, and coded by hand(among about 100 other sites at work). Here were my steps:
1) On-demand online training in all web related fields. At first it just confuses you because they run through each subject from start to elite-veteran in like 10 hours, but step two is only really effective if you do this first. (cost like 30 bucks a month) Take the following Lyndas(Being sure to take the newest ones in each field):
a) Basic html
b) Advanced html (If still available)
c) Beginning CSS (Take this course Once. Then the hard chapters a second time)
d) Adobe Illustrator (Newest One)
d) Adobe Fireworks (Use just for slicing images apart for coding)
c) Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 (Not to learn building sites, but just to learn the software. All code should be written by hand. Once you learn this stuff a good site will take less than 2 days to build from start to completely coded.)
2) Get these books & read the chapters as listed:
O’reilly – ‘CSS: The definitive guide’ – chapters 2 7 8 9 10
Sitepoint – ‘Simply JavaScript’ – (Read as needed when you start to use JavaScript) – All chapters
Before & After – ‘Business graphics’ (A great little reference for typography) All chapters
3) If you plan to get into programming(For dynamic sites) I’d recommend PHP. It’s the most widely documented now. It has the most promising future, and it’s easy to learn. Maybe 3 months to learn pretty well working on it 10 hours a week (If you know html well)
February 6th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Great tips. I too would suggest learning as much about programming as possible in edition to design skills. It is a lot easier to design (and develop) when you know how it will interact with the backend and vice versa. Knowledge is power!
February 10th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I’d agree with everyone above, I think the key is that formal education such as college and uni can give you a great basis to run from but the key factor is really getting stuck in and having a go yourself, there’s so much to learn that not one program at college or university can cover it all.
Another tip I would give is to really get stuck into a particular platform at least to start choose that platform (such as PHP and MySQL) and dont worry about others.
I’d say that if you want to go more design side of things then some college basis should do but I would defiantly recommend you WILL need some programming skills or at least the basics. PHP as Stefan recommends is a great language to learn not just for the web but programming in general I’d say. Learn HTML, CSS, some javascript and then once your comfortable with these keep up with the trends.
If its more the development (programming) side of things then a lot more formal education will suite better to understand the software engineering and programming concepts in more detail.
I personally opted for the second option as I’m not so much the arty type!
Just to clarify further for you though Stefan did an excellent job above. A web programmer or developer is the person that makes a site do magic things like processing data, performing searches etc. A designer is usually the person that is responsible for the sites presentation as you would imagine these two roles are very closely interrelated in the web development world.
Bigger projects may have each role covered by seperate people, however smaller projects will be expected to have both roles covered by the same person. This prehaps is something else you need to look into to see who your possible employer or clients may be or what partnerships you can forge. You often find that developers are in need of designers and visa versa as is certainly the case with myself, in these kinds of situations two freelancers can work closly together calling on one another when the others assistance is required.
I may only be young and so certainly cannot put myself in your exact situation but I hope my past 5 or so years of experience can be of help.
P
February 13th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Web and Website Design & Ecommerce – What type of website would meet my particular need?
The purpose of the below is to provide both a general understanding of the types of websites that exist and to also offer some assistance in deciding what type of website would meet your particular needs.
Hobby / Individual Website
Usually of a non-commercial basis and very often built using the free or no-cost “build your own website” tools – it is shown here for completeness, although it is fair to say that WEBcouk rarely get asked to become involved and design this sort of website. The exception would perhaps be where there is a long term plan to gain sufficient visitors for some sort of advertising to start generating revenue, i.e. Google Adsense; and / or a more professionally designed web presence was required.
Informational Website
Any website whose design goal is to inform the user and is not directly involved with selling product – these types of website are suitable for the individual entrepreneur through to the sole trader / small partnership right up to the largest corporate.
For the sole trader who has to start somewhere but doesn’t quite know where, this type of website can be based on an existing business card and / or brochure that may already exist; and may involve the design of a new logo.
At the other end of the spectrum, a larger business would probably want to use as a starting point existing logos, styles and graphics together with a whole raft of company material that already exists. A firm website design concept may or may not be available at the start of this type of web site project – it doesn’t really matter one way or the other.
An informational website could also include a product catalogue style of presentation, (much like an ecommerce website), without any intention of making a direct sale.
This type of website design is usually, but not necessarily, targeted at a particular audience
Dependant on the frequency and scale of content changes anticipated on an ongoing basis, a Content Management System, (CMS) can easily be integrated into an informational website in order to minimise future costs.
Commercial – Ecommerce Website
In a nutshell, a website intended to sell products and / or services direct to the customer with payments typically being made online using a credit card and / or Paypal. A subscription based website would also be included in this category.
Although one of the easiest types of website to relate to, one of the most important in terms of revenue and growth opportunity. Also, any number of information pages can be incorporated into this type of web site design.
Entertainment & Leisure Website
These are many and varied, the most obvious being hobby forums, (i.e. fishing, collectibles, photography etc. etc.), online gaming websites or many that are completely quirky!
Service Website
We went round and round in circles trying to get a heading that summed up this type of website design and in the end felt it best to stick with something simple and just give some example. In practice, the examples below could either be standalone websites or be incorporated as part of another website.
Event Planning – from a database of events allow the user to select and package together a unique day out
Greetings Cards – allow a bespoke and unique card to be tailored and sent to an individual, together with optionally remembering birthdays and anniversaries for the future
Don’t you Dare – a clever and sleek advertising website that allows the end user to select a spot on the website to advertise and then upload their own advert for display within a pre-defined date range
We could go on and on – this type of website is only limited by the imagination and of course the budget and any deadline that may exist.
Website Costs – a rule of thumb
As a general rule, informational websites tend to be lower in cost than commercial websites and commercial websites tend to be lower in cost than service websites. Although like any rule of thumb, this can easily fall apart, for example a highly designed twenty page website could easily cost more than a focussed and functional ecommerce website.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Hello Stefan,
Im really interested in web design. I was wondering if im going the right way cause i think im learining too much im still in college i will graduate in 2 years with a Bachelors in Computer Information Systems i have been working on Dreamweaver, Fireworks, a little Flash, Photoshop, and i know HTML, CSS, basic PHP and im thinking of learning Javascript. If you could give me some advice it will help a lot.
Thank You
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:30 am
as iam teacher and a writer i wwould like to share all my works with others and also help other young writers
therefore i would like to learn about designing and areating website.awaiting for help and advise
thanks
sathya
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi,
You can start the process by going to:
http://www.how-to-build-websites.com
Hope that helps,
Stefan
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
hi Stefan
By mistake I selected SAVE A COPY of html- Maccintosh Pdf
which is the second option to create the web page. Now I cant do anyting. even if i select the first one where i can type the html codes the same page what i have saved will appear. Could you pleae elp how could i procced to create the web page.
thanks for our help
Dr.sathya
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Could you pleaes let me know the solution , my e-mail is smurthy722@hotmail.com
March 31st, 2008 at 8:07 pm
stephan,
if i wanted to go the college route, what courses would i take? what should i major in?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I say you are born with a knack for design. Just knowing the programs and the languages doesn’t mean you’re going to be a good web designer making a ton of money, unless maybe you’re a web developer which doesn’t require you to have a design knack. I guess I might be bias against college since I didn’t go. I learned on my own and it was cheap!
May 5th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Hi,
I am currently a web designer and would like to share from my own education experience in the past. I took a web design & multimedia course for start. Then the next level, learn a bit of web programming like php, mySQL by myself. This will help you make a website more functional. And the end of the day, you may learn about interent marketing, to promote your website that you work on to the world. Making a website is not hard as promoting them.