Deciding to become a Web designer
In 1996 when my son, aged 19, decided to go motor racing in the UK and had success, I decided to do a website for him despite not knowing a thing about how to create one.
I am a trained graphic designer but knew nothing about creating a website. I bought an "HTML Websites for Dummies" book (with floppy disc!) and went from there. At the time, my son was the only one with a web address painted on his car, but back then it was a very long URL. Good job the car had a long bonnet!
As a graphic designer I love creating appealing images so creating websites was just a logical step to create appealing websites.
A Typical Day as a Web Designer
I work from home, which gives me flexibility in the hours I work. My working day starts sometime mid-morning. I need to spend some time outdoors in the fresh air and for some exercise to clear the head before come in in ready for work. This could be around 10am or later depending on the work I'm doing that day.
My typical website work is for individuals who want websites or for small businesses. I often have more than one website to work on, mainly just updates and changes.
For an existing client I check the client's folder as to what ideas or content they want on their site or to remind me where I left off the day before and what I need to do next.
If I'm working on a new site I send an email with a list of questions before I begin. Their answers will help me to know what the site is for, i.e. what colors I can use and what colors they do not want on their site; (it's amazing how important favorite colors and least favorite colors can be) how many graphics I need to create for the design and to manipulate any pictures they want included. I also ask if they have a domain registered and web host and if they need help with this.
By this time it's usually lunch time so I save my work and enjoy a break.
I often have a design idea and create it straight onto Dreamweaver making changes as I go. Sometimes I've sketched an idea first and then create the index page using the design.
My main push is to create the home page design so I can show the client what it will look like. From that first look they might like to make changes or additions etc.
As a freelancer, I have the freedom of choosing my hours and the amount of hours I work depends on the urgency of the job or how I am feeling. I try not to work non-stop. I take frequent small breaks. Sometimes, especially if I have a problem I can't seem to solve, I stop work and do something else for a change.
This is the time I go outside to spend some time with my husband and enjoy a glass of wine in the garden before the evening meal.
If the work is urgent, I sometimes come back early evening but I try not to do that. It's much better to finish and have a break and come back to it with a clear head next morning.
Some days I just work a couple of hours. It depends how I feel. I enjoy the fact that I am in control of any pressure I am experiencing. I can leave the job for a break or I can stay and work out what the problem is and fix it!
Advice
- I've never taken a web design course, I'm self-taught, but the only advice I can think of is:
- learn and keep up to date with the W3C changes to coding
- be as original as you can be with the design. These days a lot of websites are rather.... bland and resemble hundreds of others.
- Make sure you understand what the client wants, even if they are unsure. Understand what they want their site to do for them.
- Try to keep regular working hours so that you don't lose the thread of where you are up to.
- Take regular rests away from the monitor screen.
- Gain knowledge in design rules and typography.
How did you get started as a Web Designer?
I wasn't sure how to start but initially I looked through the web for information about creating websites and printed lots of pages. This was 1996.
Purchasing the "HTML Websites for Dummies" book was a great help. I followed the instructions and learned the technical side of website creation.
What is your favorite part of being a Web designer?
Three things: My satisfaction in creating individual designs for my clients and despite not knowing CSS as well as I should - yet, I just love the work.....
It satisfies my need to create artistically and typographically.
It is a good feeling when a client says they love their new website!
How many hours a week do you typically work?
Hard to guage, each day is different. Could be 4 - 7 hours, sometimes less.
What areas of your career would you improve?
I'd take time off to learn to create better coding and keep more up to date.
Be more organised. My desk is piled up with folders and papers re the job I'm working on. It irritates me.
Try to resist the urge to keep trying to fix that problem code when my eyes are burning and I should stop.
