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WEB DESIGN AS A CAREER-HELP
Posts
sanosuke
0
sanosuke
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CloseFor the longest time I have been so confused and in the dark about what I want to do. My parents always pushed for Medical School but I quickly lost interest in that. I was considering Psychology but today I checked it out online and even though some psch courses interested me overall I am not willing to go to 6 more years of school after college and then have 10 plus hour work days...plus I'm not the best communicator so that is a problem too...while course materials may interest me the career doesn't.
Then I took a career test and among the results Web Design popped up. I checked it out on various sites and found this description: If you like a little bit of art and are a little bit of a computer geek web design is for you. Well I always liked the gfx side and design side to computing so I felt like it just cliked.
SO now I'm thinking of going into web design, everything I read about it or atleast a majority sounds like a fit for the kind of person I am, unlike every other job description I have read.
So my question is does anyone here design websites, work as a webdesigner, or are interested in web design?
I want to hear from people who work as web designers/or anyone who knows of the career:
-How stable is the job
-How much do they/you get paid
-How much do you enjoy it
-Anything else you can tell me about it that might help.
Thanks
Then I took a career test and among the results Web Design popped up. I checked it out on various sites and found this description: If you like a little bit of art and are a little bit of a computer geek web design is for you. Well I always liked the gfx side and design side to computing so I felt like it just cliked.
SO now I'm thinking of going into web design, everything I read about it or atleast a majority sounds like a fit for the kind of person I am, unlike every other job description I have read.
So my question is does anyone here design websites, work as a webdesigner, or are interested in web design?
I want to hear from people who work as web designers/or anyone who knows of the career:
-How stable is the job
-How much do they/you get paid
-How much do you enjoy it
-Anything else you can tell me about it that might help.
Thanks
I am a Java web developer for a large corp. It's awesome (we tapped a keg two Fridays ago). I'm at work now.
Demand is HUGE for developers in Canadaland. Even so, the stability of the career isn't so...well, stable. There is a lot of flux in software development in general.
Pay is good. I pull in about $64,000
I quite enjoy it because I like a) to program, b) to design (anything really), 3) to complain. There is plenty of opportunity to complain.
If you want to progress quickly up the "corporate ladder", go to university - employers still tend to value the "well-roundedness" of University grads over tech schools.
Study hard in university and get good grades.
Enroll in a co-operative education/apprenticeship program in the university to gain valuable, relavent work experience. This is VERY important.
Anything else?
Demand is HUGE for developers in Canadaland. Even so, the stability of the career isn't so...well, stable. There is a lot of flux in software development in general.
Pay is good. I pull in about $64,000
I quite enjoy it because I like a) to program, b) to design (anything really), 3) to complain. There is plenty of opportunity to complain.
If you want to progress quickly up the "corporate ladder", go to university - employers still tend to value the "well-roundedness" of University grads over tech schools.
Study hard in university and get good grades.
Enroll in a co-operative education/apprenticeship program in the university to gain valuable, relavent work experience. This is VERY important.
Anything else?
sanosuke
0
author=kentona link=topic=1034.msg14576#msg14576 date=1210017716
I am a Java web developer for a large corp. It's awesome (we tapped a keg two Fridays ago). I'm at work now.
Demand is HUGE for developers in Canadaland. Even so, the stability of the career isn't so...well, stable. There is a lot of flux in software development in general.
Pay is good. I pull in about $64,000
I quite enjoy it because I like a) to program, b) to design (anything really), 3) to complain. There is plenty of opportunity to complain.
If you want to progress quickly up the "corporate ladder", go to university - employers still tend to value the "well-roundedness" of University grads over tech schools.
Study hard in university and get good grades.
Enroll in a co-operative education/apprenticeship program in the university to gain valuable, relavent work experience. This is VERY important.
Anything else?
First of all I want to thank you for that information it really helps a lot. My concern is that I don't necessarily want to be a web dev who has to know Java and Flash and C++ and all that but more of a designer one who has to create a concept, layout, and know Html for a website.
Would designers get paid a lot less or is it about the same.
Also you get $64,000 annually or does it vary from year to year. How many websites do you work on per year and about how long do these projects take.
Do you work from home or do you have an office somewhere.
Also if I go to 4 year and want to be a designer NOT a developer what should I major in? I read Computer science or graphics desgin along with marketing is that what you did?
Thanks again!
I majored in Computer Science with no particular focus. In my experience, the designers (or Architects) start out as web developers or business analysts. I do software development in a web environment, so I'm not exactly a Web Designer per se. I do design and implement the UI interface in my job, though.
I am salaried, and I've only been on my current job for 1 year.
I've never taken a marketing class.
I work in the World's Smallest Cubicle.
Are you looking to be the guy that makes websites for business and the like (like for Pepsi or Chevy or whatever)? Or making web software (like Google)?
I am salaried, and I've only been on my current job for 1 year.
I've never taken a marketing class.
I work in the World's Smallest Cubicle.
Are you looking to be the guy that makes websites for business and the like (like for Pepsi or Chevy or whatever)? Or making web software (like Google)?
sanosuke
0
author=kentona link=topic=1034.msg14582#msg14582 date=1210019620
I majored in Computer Science with no particular focus. In my experience, the designers (or Architects) start out as web developers or business analysts. I do software development in a web environment, so I'm not exactly a Web Designer per se. I do design and implement the UI interface in my job, though.
I am salaried, and I've only been on my current job for 1 year.
I've never taken a marketing class.
I work in the World's Smallest Cubicle.
Are you looking to be the guy that makes websites for business and the like (like for Pepsi or Chevy or whatever)? Or making web software (like Google)?
Yeah I'm looking to make the websites for businesses I'm not interested in making the software.
@Ankylo: Thanks for that link I guess it would be harder to find a job as a designer compared to a developer. Truth is I'm more into the graphical side of things. I wounld'nt mind learning HTML as it doesn't take to long nor is it complicated but I generally hate coding which is why I don't want to be a developer.
author=ankylo link=topic=1034.msg14585#msg14585 date=1210020256This is pretty much my job (well, except for the 'Expert knowledge of Adobe CS (Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash, etc.);' requirement. We use MS Paint. Plus, we've moved to JSF over JSP, and XHTML over HTML). Weird.
Here is a sample job from Monster.com: http://tinyurl.com/43nnm5
It lists the skills they are looking for, and it seems like what you are looking for.
Architects get to do all the fun design work, but those types of jobs are usually for people with 10+ years of experience. You'll have to put in your grunt time for that.
Freelance web designers are usually paid by the site.
sanosuke
0
Thanks for all the feedback guys. It sounds like Web designer isn't a very stable job so I think I'm going to just keep searching for other things. Thanks again.
demondestiny
889
i've always been intereted in web designing. Unfortunately i have no clue on anything of it so i use freewebs.
sanosuke
0
That is the best answer Ankylo but not always the safest. I guess in a way I am back to square one but at the same time I have a better idea and a more narrowed idea of the path I want to choose in my career. I definatly want to do something with computer gfx involved...know any other job?
I was thinking gfx designer for magazines and stuff
or working in video games as a gfx artist- this is something I would really like to do as well.
Btw:Demon- Death Note is the shit ;D
I was thinking gfx designer for magazines and stuff
or working in video games as a gfx artist- this is something I would really like to do as well.
Btw:Demon- Death Note is the shit ;D
author=ankylo link=topic=1034.msg14619#msg14619 date=1210022542
Well, right now there aren't that many stable jobs in any field. I would say go to school for something you like over focusing on a career that makes a certain amount of money, etc.
That's a very good point. However, at least try to get into something that pays well. If you absolutely must make a living doing something that pays minimum wage, you might like your job, but the lack of money will make you miserable.
Graphic Design and New Media Design might appeal to you if you're interested in working with computer graphics.
I have a degree in Graphic Design if you want any details on it(only an associates; I changed majors upon transfer).
I have a degree in Graphic Design if you want any details on it(only an associates; I changed majors upon transfer).
sanosuke
0
@Harmonic: Yeah that is a good point as well which is why it is tuff for me to choose.
@Karsuman: Sure are you going to be a gfx designer? What kinds of products do they make, companies do they work for? Do you know anything about pay, what classes to take what to major in? Do you know what the work days are like? Thanks all.
@Karsuman: Sure are you going to be a gfx designer? What kinds of products do they make, companies do they work for? Do you know anything about pay, what classes to take what to major in? Do you know what the work days are like? Thanks all.
It's not like you have to choose right away - just have a general career in mind (like "Web Guy") and start down that path. You can specialize after you gain some experience and perspective.
All first year classes are the same any way (easy).
All first year classes are the same any way (easy).
author=sanosuke link=topic=1034.msg14652#msg14652 date=1210028329
@Karsuman: Sure are you going to be a gfx designer? What kinds of products do they make, companies do they work for? Do you know anything about pay, what classes to take what to major in? Do you know what the work days are like? Thanks all.
Graphic designers are used in pretty much all areas of advertising and media. They might design magazine layouts, movie posters, book covers, but they can also make stuff like logos, typefaces(what most people call 'fonts') and illustrations if they are good at drawing. They are often involved with websites. And yes, game developers often staff graphic designers as well. Expect to learn Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Depending on what your focus is, you might also learn web design software and Flash.
As for companies, many places staff graphic designers, but you'll most likely find work at a print lab or an advertising studio.
They typically make $45k and up starting, but it really depends on the type of job you go into and where you live. Senior positions would obviously pay a lot more than beginner positions.
As for the major, Graphic Design is often a major itself. New Media is a nice alternative that focuses on interactive development.
As for myself, I do not know if I'll be working as a graphic designer or not. I'm currently pursuing a degree in animation, so.
sanosuke
0
@Kentona: I finished my third year in college already and I'm still lost thats why I'm trying to explore other possibilities what prevented me before were my parents expectations for me to go into Med School or something like that so I never wanted to tell them, "Hey guys I wanna go into making games" -cause they would kill me. But I appreciate all the feedback I got from you, I got a better idea of things.
@Karsuman: Thanks very much for that, actually that sounds pretty interesting I know that jobs aren't very stable with the economy and all but would you say that a graphics designer is more likely to get work than a freelance web designer or a web designer in general. It sounds obvious to say yes but I'm just making sure. Thanks a lot.
@Karsuman: Thanks very much for that, actually that sounds pretty interesting I know that jobs aren't very stable with the economy and all but would you say that a graphics designer is more likely to get work than a freelance web designer or a web designer in general. It sounds obvious to say yes but I'm just making sure. Thanks a lot.
prexus
309
author=ankylo link=topic=1034.msg14601#msg14601 date=1210021348
Yes. I get paid by the site. It's hard these days though because it seems everyone either knows web design or knows someone who knows web design, so you have to set yourself apart and get clients who will refer you to other clients. Right now i'm working on 2 websites because of referrals.
and, MS Paint? really? lol. I love photoshop as a mockup / design tool. I've tried others, but never really got the hang of them.
Some programs for UI / prototyping are Smart Draw, Microsoft Visio, etc.
I really like this: http://www.serena.com/products/prototype-composer/home.html
but it seems to have a steep learning curve. Watch the demo! it's neat!
I've gotta admit. That Serena Prototype Composer is beautiful.
I took the Systems Analyst course at my local college and we spent a lot of time using System Architect, which is similar to this but doesn't have the Prototyping part, and is really clunky and disgusting to use. It probably would have enjoyed the course more had we used a neat system like this.
author=sanosuke link=topic=1034.msg14674#msg14674 date=1210031718
@Karsuman: Thanks very much for that, actually that sounds pretty interesting I know that jobs aren't very stable with the economy and all but would you say that a graphics designer is more likely to get work than a freelance web designer or a web designer in general. It sounds obvious to say yes but I'm just making sure. Thanks a lot.
It all depends on how you present yourself sanosuke. If you're confident in your abilities and sell yourself well, you are of course more likely to get a job. But it's never a sure thing.
