How to become a good web site designer?

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nullbytes

New Member
Hello friends, Before asking you some questions let me introduce myself since i am new in this forum.
I am shakil ahmed from Bangladesh. I am very much enthusiastic about learning web design.
I have already finished reading of some ebooks like "html and css web design", "css the missing manual" etc. I have gained essential and some advanced knowledge of css and html.
can anybody suggest me that how can i be a so good web designer that i could design premium wordpress themes or joomla templates. Means my themes of wordpress will worth being sold.:)
 
Phreaddee

Phreaddee

Super Moderator
Staff member
so do you want to actually be a good web designer or someone who spits out shit templates for $$$?

the problem with templates is
1. a good web designer makes their own
2. an incompetent web designer buys one

someone who aspires to create templates just confuses me.
 
M

Matt F

New Member
Templates

If you're just doing basic information sites, templates are perfect. WordPress is an amazing solution. Even a beginner can make stylish sites in no time.
 
MasterTheWeb

MasterTheWeb

New Member
Just learn it step by step.. you say you know HTML and CSS? Go learn Javascript now and go through Jquery. After you mastered those go learn/play with PHP. Then find some tutorials about wordpress templates etc.
 
N

nullbytes

New Member
thanks all of you for replying. Can anybody tell me about softwares that ease website designing. Currently i am using macromedia dreamweaver and it is just rocking. which software are you using?
 
chrishirst

chrishirst

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Dreamweaver is a development tool, you really need a design, as in a picture, or a sketch of what the finished layout should look like before you start any coding.
 
MasterTheWeb

MasterTheWeb

New Member
For webdesigning I recommend Adobe Fireworks, not Adobe Photoshop. That's just my personal favorite for webdesign. Use photoshop just for adjusting images, etc. Also using Dreamweaver for coding/editor is OK, just don't use the WYSIWYG-function..

For coding i use notepad++, but lately I try to work with komodo edit 7 editor. So far I liked it.
 
A

aaronjunited

Member
notepad++ for code is my choice, simple and i like.

I used to use Dreamweaver, haven't gone back to it, although i still like it.

Photoshop was my main interest for layouts and templates, its easier to use for edit images than making templates and layouts.

Fireworks is the best, look around Google for fireworks vs Photoshop, there is so many amazing articles describing why you should use fireworks over Photoshop for web designing.

One thing that's important to remember about Photoshop is the highlighted red part of the word, its for photos.
 
JakClark

JakClark

New Member
I have to be honest and say that I've always used Adobe Fireworks, as opposed to Adobe Photoshop. Started with the earliest of editions, back when it was Macromedia - though it probably wasn't the *oldest*, it was certainly old. MX 2004 it was, later upgraded to 8, and, then Adobe CS3+.

Now on CS6, and loving it. If you're eager, Fireworks is actually easier to learn too - which will save you a considerable amount of time!
 
chrishirst

chrishirst

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Dreamweaver is a development tool. You need a design before you even start up Dreamweaver.
 
chrishirst

chrishirst

Well-Known Member
Staff member
1.. lean html
2.. lean css
3.. lean php.
4.. lean word press.
Click to expand...

Wrong on all points. To DESIGN you first need some artistic talent.

Knowing how to structure a HTML document does NOT make you a "designer"
 
Phreaddee

Phreaddee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dreamweaver is a development tool, you really need a design, as in a picture, or a sketch of what the finished layout should look like before you start any coding.
Click to expand...

this is so true. I cant tell you how many people who know how to read and write html therefore assume immediately that they are capable of WEB DESIGN.

it all starts on the page...if it looks good, do a mock up if that looks good, then consider the options...
 
chrishirst

chrishirst

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Realy... i can do almost anything artistic in photoshop... but can i design websites which is what the OP is aking for ? not without learning the mentioned.
Click to expand...
Good! Actually being artistic and capable of MAKING a design in half the battle. Don't confuse design with development.

Actually coding a layout requires a different skill set to making something that looks good.

What you should do is to team up with a developer who DOES NOT need to rely on using "tools" for "slicing" the design.
 
chrishirst

chrishirst

Well-Known Member
Staff member
I'm a great believer in people just working to their strengths, developers usually make for poor designers and I stand testament to that. I can take any design and make a working layout from it, but I have no chance of making that design to start with.
 
J

jumpingspider

New Member
Phreaddee said:
this is so true. I cant tell you how many people who know how to read and write html therefore assume immediately that they are capable of WEB DESIGN.

it all starts on the page...if it looks good, do a mock up if that looks good, then consider the options...
Click to expand...

Take this advice. The key points are here.
 
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katebently

New Member
Nowadays there are various web designing tools but to become a good website designer I would recommend you to start designing webpages using notepad.
 
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