Deciding to become a Web designer
I first started website design back in 1998 when I came across a website that had Jesus hanging on the cross as the web page back ground. I wanted to be able to build a website that would make it’s visitors say wow!
I now run CJF Designs a photo restoration, website design, and hosting company which gives me a true feeling of accomplishment when I design a website that makes my customer say wow how did you do that! I love building websites from nothing! When creating the base layout it seems to grow in my imagination into what is a finished product.
Although others say I am good. I am never completely happy
A Typical Day as a Web Designer
I design websites part time, so I come in from my full time job and start up my computer first thing. I check all my mail and messages on Facebook. And work on my latest project. I stay up sometimes untill around 2am. It seems like when I get in the groove and things start flowing I just can’t stop working.
I try to stay up with the trends of today while still placing some old school true steady platform into my designs. The internet has changed a lot over the years and as a designer we have to change with it while bringing our own style into our designs! Website design is a job that the rule's are truly made to break! If you are afraid to break some basic design rules you will be left sitting there scratching your head!
Advice
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions of more seasoned designers
- Make your own rules it is what makes you original in your own design style.
- Don’t ever think that because a script is old it is no good! It may be old but it works better some time that are new and may be unstable script.
- Do some Free work it will pay off in the long run!
How did you get started as a Web Designer?
My first website was on a free site called X-Zoom It was more click and go than design. But I then went to the free FTP site of AOL and started using an offline design program. I have grown from there to now hosting sites I design as well as helping others learn the business.
What is your favorite part of being a Web designer?
Taking a blank page and being able to later upload a page that can make a customer’s business flourish with tools that can only be made available on the internet. It makes me feel I am the builder of their internet office.
How many hours a week do you typically work?
50 hours Mon- Sun
What areas of your career would you improve?
If I could choose any area of my career to improve it would more than likely be the ability to imagine a more complex site and put it into action with more ease!
