Deciding to become a Web designer
I wanted to move forward in my advertising business. Web, ebrochures, eAdvertising is the future. Print is being pushed to the curb in this new media.
I was and am a prepress printer by trade, but I had to move forward.
A Typical Day as a Web Designer
A project comes in for a web design. I start when it comes in and schedule it on my production board. I spend 5-8 hours on it depending on my workflow that month.
I do a layout design on paper first. It usually takes 3 to 5 days to get this ready for proofing via my server. (This depends on how many pages, ecommerce, flash site or plain site).
Working closely with my client (and their budget), I get the finished site done asap. I have a place on my server to publish it so that they may view it online. (I do have Fireworks, but I like clients to view the actual site before publishing to their hosting company). Upon approval from the client, I bill them through PayPal and upon payment on the invoice, I publish the files.
Advice
- Remember students. The mark of a professional designer is that you put ideas to paper FIRST. Make sure that you work closely with your clients and stick to their budget. I personally like to bill flat rated on these jobs instead of hourly because you never know what problems can arise. The fastest way to get a bad mark on your business is by charging more then they expected on a site.
- Make sure that you can do what you are advertising and don't bite off more then you are ready for.
- Flash sites are really eye catching, but they are hard to find for meta tags..ie: Google robots to list on the top lists.
How did you get started as a Web Designer?
I started my career in print and when computers came into the trades I just continued learning. I went into 3D animation and web design.
My programming is limited but being a graphic designer (prepress 4/c stripper by trade), I wanted to go to the next step which is the web and phone applications.
What is your favorite part of being a Web designer?
It is challenging, but when it all runs smoothly online and looks great, I get a real satisfaction that it is a job well done for my clients.
Money comes last in satisfaction, but is important as well.
How many hours a week do you typically work?
45-60 hours depending on work flow.
Visit me at www.jmkdesignsonline.com
What areas of your career would you improve?
I want to take web design to the next level by advertising on cellphones and connecting web to phone interaction for my client's customers. This is the future of advertising I think.
