What is the best way to learn web design?
I am a graphic designer and I am trying to make a web site for my portfolio. I have designed templates in adobe Illustrator.. what is the next step I need to take? I've been reading books about web sites.. but I am lost.. Do I need to export it photoshop and slice into pieces?
Public Comments
- you just need to familiarize yourself with html and CSS and get yourself some tutorials, (w3schools, etc)
- just by doing it.
- Web pages are not just big pictures - having a layout image is rarely useful. If you want to make proper websites, the best way to go would be to go to some kind of evening class (check learning centres and colleges in your area) or buy a good HTML or CSS book. I'd really recommend "Basic HTML" by A Whyte, it's published by Payne-Gallway. If it could teach nine-year-old me how to use HTML code, it can teach anybody. I also like the In Easy Steps series from Computer Step - visit www.ineasysteps.com - but their CSS book is a little bit confusing, especially for beginners. Another (and sometimes easier) way to go would be to get a web page design program. The advantages of this are that you don't need a huge knowledge of code, and it can be faster. Two commonly used programs are Microsoft FrontPage and Adobe Dreamweaver. The disadvantages of using one of these are that they can be quite expensive and take a while to get used to, plus if you're designing a website for a portfolio you'll need it to have guaranteed functionality, which it can be hard to get with a design program. Overall I'd say, if you're really serious about making a 100% useful, 100% self-designed website, then get a book or go to a class. If you just want something quick, easy and low-hassle, get a design program.
- The easiest way for a novice to build a web site is to start with a web template. Web Templates can be customized and you can use the layout but swap the graphics etc.... this will get you comfortable with basic HTML design and an HTML editor (like Dreamweaver). Here are some resources for free or inexpensive templates that are easy to edit and manage. Webmaster Templates - http://www.webmaster-templates.net Free Web Templates - http://www.freewebtemplates.com/ Web Design Elements - http://www.webdesign-elements.com Free Website Templates - http://www.freewebsitetemplates.com/ Free Layouts - http://www.freelayouts.com/ Free Templates Online - http://www.freetemplatesonline.com HTML website templates can significantly ease the burden of designing and creating websites by providing webmasters with a ready-made web layout, structure, basic graphics, and color scheme. The templates can generally be edited and customized with any HTML editor. The biggest advantage for webmasters using ready-made templates is the amount of time that can be saved.
- Hello dear, I was in the same shoes as you were about approx 2 and a half year ago. I studied in Multimedia, but the industry moves so fast. that its hard if you do not do it full time, you get lost or outdated very quickly. With me now being a full time mom. No time.. However i had found a really nice company who had helped me marketed my site, but they also do web design and they are located in montreal. They are cool , professional and experienced. Love their service and their hints. Maybe you can work together somehow with them. I think they can help you out, to me they are the best web design team. check them out at http://www.webdesignteam.ca
Powered by Yahoo! Answers