Top 5 Web Design Learning Tips
Since killersites.com is largely a web learning portal, I figured that I should outline my top 5 learning tips.
Tip #1: Making mistakes is normal. Actually it can be a good thing!
When it comes to web design and web programming (PHP, ASP etc) making mistakes is par for the course. Even old web-nerds are constantly correcting errors, so don’t sweat it. Actually, making mistakes can be a great way to learn. I actually recommend that people ‘break’ things on purpose to see how errors occur in a controlled manner.
… This will soon teach you how to better read errors which in the end, will save you a lot of time in your work.
Tip #2: Be patient
Web design can sometimes be a frustrating process, so one of the most useful qualities of character you can develop is patience.
Tip #3: Sleep on it.
Sometimes you come across a problem that you just can’t seem to solve. Maybe it’s a layout that just doesn’t work the way you want it to. Maybe it’s a bug in your PHP code that you just can’t track down. Whatever it may be, when after working on it for a little while with no progress, it’s a good idea to set it aside and come back to it the next day … sleep on it.
… The next day, often you’ll find that the solution will come easily.
Tip #4: Build pages and build websites
What is that expression … ‘repetition is the mother of skill’. Or, something like that.
The point is, that you should be working to build as many pages and as many web sites as possible. The important thing is to complete the website project and then start a new one. You DON’T want to get caught in the trap of the ‘never ending’ web design project where you are continuously tweaking, changing and modifying your design or your web layout. A website does not have to be perfect, especially in the learning stages, it just has to be good enough.
… It is important to complete the job and start something new.
Tip #5: Never give up
Ok, this one is probably a tip you’ve heard one time too many, nonetheless, it is true. The key to succeeding in anything is to not give up. Too many give up too soon, don’t be one of them.
Thanks for reading,
Stefan Mischook
www.killersites.com
April 6th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Couldn’t agree more. Especially with # 3. I always find that after stepping away from a programming related problem, I come back and the answer just seems so simple.
Great article!
April 13th, 2009 at 11:04 am
great mental thought process to consider.
I like the sleep on it advice..it really does work!
thanks for tips
April 14th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Truly said, these things come across almost every web designer in the beginning of their career or later on. This article provides a nice way to overcome such problems.
Thanks for posting. Good work.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Nice post Stefan.
I’m sure that there is a list of 100 plus tips that could be of use but you have produced a great top 5! Number #1 is something that I am in complete agreement with. I have learn’t how websites are built and how they function just by making many, many mistakes! For me its the only way of learning!
Good old trial and error!
Regards,
Gareth.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:31 am
What an encouragement
I’m still learnining webdesign and these tips are encouraging me bigtime. I was thinking that I am too dull because of the mistakes I make but now I think its a way forward
Thanks for the tips
God bless you
April 30th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Hi,
I’m happy to hear you guys found the list useful – these tips have served me well over the years.
Another great thing about these tips, is that they have use outside of just learning web design or programming – they can be applied in many aspects of life.
Thanks for the comments.
Stefan