I'm thinking of studying a course of an Associate's Degree (2 years) in Graphic Design. I believe that if I take this course it will help me learn how to be more creative designing on the computer and they will even teach us how to design a website. (sadly is just one class that will teach us how to design a website...)
So my questions are:
- Should I study Graphic Design before Web Design and Development?
- Will this help with my creativity before entering a course of Web Design/Development?
- Have you done this before (studying Graphic Design before Web Design/Dev? and was it worth it for you?
- The course will start next January, 2008, for the FIRST TIME EVER. Is it a bad idea to join on a course that is going to start for the first time?
Please help me and thanks!
Should I study Graphic Design before Web Design and Development?
- Should I study Graphic Design before Web Design and Development?
It depends, what aspect of design would you like to get into is the question. Most cases graphical interfaces are a huge part of web design; knowing how to do a proper layout is one thing, but applying visual aspects such as menus, images, animations and such does require knowldge of graphics and interfaces; so I do recommend at leat learning the basics and having a good sense of design and construction.
- Will this help with my creativity before entering a course of Web Design/Development?
It would 100% not hurt, I would assume it would open new doors for you and give you alternative ways of looking for a solution for a problem when it comes to design; having preperation is important and learning different approaches can only make you better, so I'd say 100% yes it would help.
- Have you done this before (studying Graphic Design before Web Design/Dev? and was it worth it for you?
I took both at the same shot, but I didn't enter the design world without any knowldge, the key is having a good sense of design naturally and spicing it up by learning new techniques and styles. It was worth it; again preperation is the key to success, the more you see, learn and do the better.
- The course will start next January, 2008, for the FIRST TIME EVER. Is it a bad idea to join on a course that is going to start for the first time?
Not at all, you never know how much of a success it could be. You should feel excited particapating in a new course; and learning new things.
I wish you the best of luck.
Reply:I did exactly what you are describing and I'm happy with my choices. Web design and development focuses on the technical aspects, at least my courses did, and did not have any focus at all on design. If you want to be a web designer, focusing on the design aspect I believe this is the way to go. You need to learn programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, etc.
Reply:Web Development/Design is really up to you to master. You will need a lot of research and experience doing actual projects that no class will offer. I would think the school would be more useful for Graphic Design. If you want to do web development look into CS degrees.
Be brave, and learn as much as you can. Go beyond the course requirements if you are passionate and have the time. Start building a website.
During your Graphic Design studies, focus on the popular programs out there. Know how to use them in and out and well. Flash very powerful and in high demand. Photoshop for image editing. If you want to get into animation, video games and etc. look into 3D Max Studio (maybe also Maya). For web development learn HTML, CSS, DOM and JavaScript really well.
So when picking classes, keep the above in mind. Focus on getting techinal expertise as you don't need a class to nurture your creativity.
Reply:If you want to be a web developer, study web development.
I teach several courses on web development, and I find that graphic design students who try to 'pick up' web development at the last minute are universally frustrated.
Design is critically important. Don't neglect your design skills and interests, but don't fixate on that either. There's a hundred 'designers' out there (with great ideas but no real idea how to implement them) for each developer who can really code a page, attach data to it, and make it work interactively.
Right or wrong, there's very little market for pure designers on the web today. You absolutely must be comfortable with the technical side, because the strengths and limitations of web-based design are vastly different than on paper-based media traditionally taught in design programs.
There's honestly not much of a market for pure web page developers either. Knowing HTML and having a copy of FrontPage (OK, Expression Web) is not enough to make you competitive any more.
Today's clients are not satisfied with static web pages. They want interactive applications with a data back-end and real interactivity. Let's face it, they can also buy a copy of Dreamweaver if that's all it takes to build a web site.
If you want to be truly competitive, you need to continue practicing your design skills, but look carefully at a program with a strong technical component, including standards-based web development and at least an introduction to programming on the client, and the server, and some instruction on databases.
If you're already a creative person, don't spend too much time up front taking a program that enhances your creativity. It sounds to me like you're already strong on the creativity side. You'll probably be able to learn more about that on your own. Instead, focus on those skills you aren't as comfortable with that will give you quicker access to the workplace.
I have this conversation with students almost every day, and they usually don't believe me. Years later, they find me again and ask for exactly what I recommended at the beginning.
Good luck to you, and email me if you want recommendations on specific books (some of which I've written) and courses.
Reply:You may want to pass on either the graphic, web design or development courses and concentrate on SEO techniques. There's much more to be earned with becoming an SEO due to its specialty. Unfortunately, there are far too many web designer who are presently unemployed or who are earning very little. A typical SEO earns a starting salary of around $65,000 a year and you can earn upwards in the $100,000.
Good luck!
Reply:i think you can learn these anytime on your own if u have the will :) i would recommend study both in parallel.... so what u earn in graphic u can apply too already.... i did learn web-design on my own: i work now on this site. if you likr i could help and give you few indications.
http://www.bestwebservers.eu/web-design....
rose garden
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