Forum
Web Design Course
Hi, newbie here! :)
I'll be doing homestudy and will be taking up web design courses, and hopefully find a job once I get my qualifications.
There are a few things that I need to know, though.
- First of all, is self homestudy enough for me to learn about web design?
- What do employees look for in a web designer?
- And lastly, this is the course description, and I would really appreciate anyone's opinion on it--will it be enough to be able to find a job afterwards?
WEBMASTER Course Description:
* Use all of the important HTML/XHTML tags, including hypertext links and anchors, lists, tables, frames and forms;
* Construct a fully-functional website with a range of useful page formats;
* Create sensational special effects, including roll-over buttons and scrolling marquees, without the need for specialist programming;
* Learn to use basic JavaScript;
* Build an exciting, visually-appealing online store; and
*Create stunning movies using Adobe's industry-leading Flash development tool.
Qualification
Nationally Recognised NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Website Design & Construction.
This qualification is equivalent to an NVQ Level 2 or GCSE and consists of 6 credits which can be used to access higher education qualifications.
WEBMAESTRO Course Description:
* Create JavaScript functions and Java Applets;
* Develop eCommerce Websites;
* Implement Cookies to track your users;
* Use Dynamic HTML to modify pages in real-time;
* Implement Cascading Style Sheets for precise control of page layout; and
*Construct powerful web-based database applications.
Qualification
Nationally Recognised NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Website Design & Construction.
This qualification is equivalent to an NVQ Level 3 or A Level
The courses come with a comprehensive software Library, which includes trial/freeware versions of the following software: Adobe Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks & PhotoShop CS3, Paint Shop Pro, Gif Construction Set, MapEdit, WinZip 11, Shop Factory Pro, Cute FTP and Colour Picker 1.9.
Sorry about the long post, but I do hope that someone replies.
Thanks!
I'll be doing homestudy and will be taking up web design courses, and hopefully find a job once I get my qualifications.
There are a few things that I need to know, though.
- First of all, is self homestudy enough for me to learn about web design?
- What do employees look for in a web designer?
- And lastly, this is the course description, and I would really appreciate anyone's opinion on it--will it be enough to be able to find a job afterwards?
WEBMASTER Course Description:
* Use all of the important HTML/XHTML tags, including hypertext links and anchors, lists, tables, frames and forms;
* Construct a fully-functional website with a range of useful page formats;
* Create sensational special effects, including roll-over buttons and scrolling marquees, without the need for specialist programming;
* Learn to use basic JavaScript;
* Build an exciting, visually-appealing online store; and
*Create stunning movies using Adobe's industry-leading Flash development tool.
Qualification
Nationally Recognised NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Website Design & Construction.
This qualification is equivalent to an NVQ Level 2 or GCSE and consists of 6 credits which can be used to access higher education qualifications.
WEBMAESTRO Course Description:
* Create JavaScript functions and Java Applets;
* Develop eCommerce Websites;
* Implement Cookies to track your users;
* Use Dynamic HTML to modify pages in real-time;
* Implement Cascading Style Sheets for precise control of page layout; and
*Construct powerful web-based database applications.
Qualification
Nationally Recognised NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Website Design & Construction.
This qualification is equivalent to an NVQ Level 3 or A Level
The courses come with a comprehensive software Library, which includes trial/freeware versions of the following software: Adobe Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks & PhotoShop CS3, Paint Shop Pro, Gif Construction Set, MapEdit, WinZip 11, Shop Factory Pro, Cute FTP and Colour Picker 1.9.
Sorry about the long post, but I do hope that someone replies.
Thanks!
- Contact in PM
SPS
Messages count : 11Likes count : 0Registration : 9 December 2007Hi pocoyo,
Congratulations on the chosen subject. It's a great one to get into!
I have no qualifications in web design or that specialised field. I only have a college BTEC in ICT.
Has that stopped me?
Not at all! I'm self-taught in web design and development and have gained vast amounts of knowledge because of it.
I've been to University and dropped out twice (tut, tut in employers eyes!). I'm only 20 and I'm currently working for one of the leading design and marketing agencies in North Yorkshire. My life's just starting. This is my second official position within an agency.
Here's how to do it..
Find alot of tutorial websites to get you started within the subject and practice, practice, practice! Submit your work for review either on this forum or around the Internet. Some comments will be harsh and some will give you solid advice on how to improve. Some reviewers will give you advice and some will just simply say your work is either good or bad. The good and bad comments you need to ignore and concentrate on the advice given.
You can either get a qualification in this subject or go self-taught with none at all.
Employers
Employees are greedy and getting the right job is a stretch. Your portfolio is what they will be looking at. In the end, qualifications are nothing if you can prove you're creative through your portfolio. However, if you're trying to get a job with the top agencies, qualifications will be mandatory in some cases, however, in most cases experience in the sector with other agencies waives your qualifications. For smaller companies, your portfolio is all they'll be looking at.
Regarding the course description; you'll be an employers dream. However, unless you're creative and produce stunning (well.. attractive), valid websites the qualification and skills gained remain useless. - Contact in PM
SurreyWeb
Messages count : 15Likes count : 0Registration : 19 July 2008Hi pocoyo
Good advice from SPS, there's no substitute for experience and practice. I had a look at the course details for the one you are proposing to join. If you have the money to spare, why not, just don't accept what they offer as gospel.
You will learn things you don't know but the course is a little dated and overly reliant on software, rather than technique, or knowledge. They equally demonstrate confusion on what websites are for, they are largely a business tool, not a design exercise.
Best of luck if you take the course but take SPS's advice as well. Search wider and try to relate everything you learn to the real world, that's the one that will pay you, or not. - Contact in PM
mds
Messages count : 9Likes count : 0Registration : 16 March 2008
Good Advice there SPS, You will need a good portfolio and experience to excel in the industry rather than qualifications . You have more chance to excel in the sector if you are doing it for the love of it rather than the money. "For the love of it" would help build your determination.SPS, post: 8647 a écrit : Hi pocoyo,
Congratulations on the chosen subject. It's a great one to get into!
I have no qualifications in web design or that specialised field. I only have a college BTEC in ICT.
Has that stopped me?
Not at all! I'm self-taught in web design and development and have gained vast amounts of knowledge because of it.
I've been to University and dropped out twice (tut, tut in employers eyes!). I'm only 20 and I'm currently working for one of the leading design and marketing agencies in North Yorkshire. My life's just starting. This is my second official position within an agency.
Here's how to do it..
Find alot of tutorial websites to get you started within the subject and practice, practice, practice! Submit your work for review either on this forum or around the Internet. Some comments will be harsh and some will give you solid advice on how to improve. Some reviewers will give you advice and some will just simply say your work is either good or bad. The good and bad comments you need to ignore and concentrate on the advice given.
You can either get a qualification in this subject or go self-taught with none at all.
Employers
Employees are greedy and getting the right job is a stretch. Your portfolio is what they will be looking at. In the end, qualifications are nothing if you can prove you're creative through your portfolio. However, if you're trying to get a job with the top agencies, qualifications will be mandatory in some cases, however, in most cases experience in the sector with other agencies waives your qualifications. For smaller companies, your portfolio is all they'll be looking at.
Regarding the course description; you'll be an employers dream. However, unless you're creative and produce stunning (well.. attractive), valid websites the qualification and skills gained remain useless.
Good luck in your studies i'm also training for my CIW (CERTIFIED INTERNET WEBMASTER) Certificate. - Contact in PM
pocoyo
Messages count : 2Likes count : 0Registration : 8 October 2008
Thanks for the advice SPS, I really appreciate it!SPS, post: 8647 a écrit : Hi pocoyo,
Congratulations on the chosen subject. It's a great one to get into!
I have no qualifications in web design or that specialised field. I only have a college BTEC in ICT.
Has that stopped me?
Not at all! I'm self-taught in web design and development and have gained vast amounts of knowledge because of it.
I've been to University and dropped out twice (tut, tut in employers eyes!). I'm only 20 and I'm currently working for one of the leading design and marketing agencies in North Yorkshire. My life's just starting. This is my second official position within an agency.
Here's how to do it..
Find alot of tutorial websites to get you started within the subject and practice, practice, practice! Submit your work for review either on this forum or around the Internet. Some comments will be harsh and some will give you solid advice on how to improve. Some reviewers will give you advice and some will just simply say your work is either good or bad. The good and bad comments you need to ignore and concentrate on the advice given.
You can either get a qualification in this subject or go self-taught with none at all.
Employers
Employees are greedy and getting the right job is a stretch. Your portfolio is what they will be looking at. In the end, qualifications are nothing if you can prove you're creative through your portfolio. However, if you're trying to get a job with the top agencies, qualifications will be mandatory in some cases, however, in most cases experience in the sector with other agencies waives your qualifications. For smaller companies, your portfolio is all they'll be looking at.
Regarding the course description; you'll be an employers dream. However, unless you're creative and produce stunning (well.. attractive), valid websites the qualification and skills gained remain useless.
Regarding the qualifications...
Here's the deal, I am totally clueless! I was told that to get a job, I would need to provide qualifications, which is why Im aiming to get one.
And I think I would really need it under the circumstances..
Little background here about me.
Im a Filipino and have been living here in the UK for nearly 6 years. I haven't experienced working in this country yet as I have been focused on raising my son, but since he's in school now, I have all the time in the world to do something for myself and hopefully help with bills by doing something that I believe I'd enjoy.
But as I said earlier, I was told that I would be needing qualifications, and also, that whatever education I had abroad won't be recognized here at all. It doesn't matter that I had 4 years in college, coz here that doesn't mean anything. This was what i was led to believe that's why I thought that it was mandatory in applying for a job, be it for a small or big company.
Im really excited to do these courses. I took up Interior Design and know a bit of CAD, which I know has nothing to do with web design but I guess it's safe to say that I have a streak of creativeness in me.
To SurreyWeb and mds..my thanks to you both as well!
I'll surely be back to share my progress.
Til next time! - Contact in PM
SPS
Messages count : 11Likes count : 0Registration : 9 December 2007pocoyo,
None of us can pick your life path. It's not our place to say whether you should choose taking a course in web design or not.
At the end of the day your portfolio counts, we all know that. If you think you've got what it takes to be a web designer then go do it. The first part in anything thing is to believe in yourself and take that risk.
What people are telling you is the safest way to hopefully get a job. You'll have the qualifications to do so, but in the end it might not get you where you want to be. No design agency wants to employ anyone who produces unattractive designs. What's the point? - There business wouldn't survive. Your best bet which ever route you go down is to produce the best designs that you possibly can and get them reviewed. At the start you may lack in the creative department but may grasp what works well really quickly and before you know it, out pops something attractive and stunning.
I'm glad you said you were really excited to start. Keep the excitement and enthusiasm up which ever route you choose and I'm confident you'll get to where you want to be in no-time. - Contact in PM
jamesmiddz
Messages count : 1Likes count : 0Registration : 17 November 2008I hope I don't stir up a hornets net by suggesting that you ensure that your coding practices are to W3 standards. Their are so many articles out there critising its importance, but I have been asked by many clients and during interviews whether or not I my work is accessible and interoperable. It might give you an edge on the next webdesigner through the door...just a thought. - Contact in PM
jiogoal
Messages count : 1Likes count : 0Registration : 5 January 2009RE:
Thanks for the advice SPS, I really appreciate it!