I've been building my own websites for ten years now (I have three), but all very simple stuff. I started with Netscape Composer (!), then graduated to Dreamweaver. I'm by no means a pro at DW, but I do understand the basics. I also know some basic Photoshop - enough to resize, touch-up, and do some basic manipulation. I'm up on hosting, FTPing, etc. I know a bare minimum of HTML (since the web design programs essentially do it for me, I never bothered).
However, I know nothing about CSS, Java, and very little about HTML. I understand Flash (I do video editing with Corel VideoStudio Pro at home), though I haven't done anything with it. Who knows what other web design programs are in demand that I haven't a clue about.
I was just wondering what skills one would need to know in order to land a position as a paid web designer? I'm sure there are *desired* skills (like an employer wish-list), but I'm just talking about what I would need to know to get something entry-level. From examining the open jobs, it seems employers want a bazillion technical skills (do people really know that many?)
I might add that I don't have years and years to learn a dozen programs; I'm older and don't want to be retirement age when I'm finally qualified. This is what I really love doing, however, and I've been debating seriously jumping into this for a while now while I've evaluated whether I could devote enough time to it (and whether I could pay my bills on an entry-level position if that day came).
However, I know nothing about CSS, Java, and very little about HTML. I understand Flash (I do video editing with Corel VideoStudio Pro at home), though I haven't done anything with it. Who knows what other web design programs are in demand that I haven't a clue about.
I was just wondering what skills one would need to know in order to land a position as a paid web designer? I'm sure there are *desired* skills (like an employer wish-list), but I'm just talking about what I would need to know to get something entry-level. From examining the open jobs, it seems employers want a bazillion technical skills (do people really know that many?)
I might add that I don't have years and years to learn a dozen programs; I'm older and don't want to be retirement age when I'm finally qualified. This is what I really love doing, however, and I've been debating seriously jumping into this for a while now while I've evaluated whether I could devote enough time to it (and whether I could pay my bills on an entry-level position if that day came).