Hello,
I name is Toby and I am wanting to become a web designer. I am currently 14 and I started when I was around 11, yet I only made super basic websites with headings and just a plain background, no CSS involved.
I only recently got back into it (around 3 months) and I now would like to say I know the basics of HTML and CSS. I know about divs, positioning, links, styling and a lot more, but I am obviously years off being a professional web designer.
My dad is an IT Manager, and has been for around 10-15 years. He doesn’t know any website coding, such as HTML. He once made a forums a long time ago but I know more than him now. When I asked him if web designing was a good job to go into, he told me that if you want it to be a well paying job, you have to be extremely good at it since most of the work is done cheaply overboard from other countries who don’t mind getting payed a lot. He also said that it is a risky job, as you will most likely be freelancing.
So my main question is, what is it like to go into web design? How long will it be if you spend a lot of time before you get to a professional stage? What qualifications would you need, (if any)?
Also It would be nice if I could get some pointers. I have learnt all of the basics now, and if you know of any books, or websites which take you further than w3schools that would be appreciated greatly. I would also like to know what programs I should be using. As I am 14, I do have money but not a huge budget. I would say up to £40 for good software. I am currently using notepad++ and just google chrome to load the files up on.
One last thing, how skilled do you need to be as a graphic design? I have a good friend from school who wants to be a graphic designer or film maker as a job and he is currently making mock ups/logos and stuff that I need. He has been doing it for a few years and is of a decent level, and uses photoshop. I am unable to get photoshop illegally, and as it costs £644 I might have to do a bit of saving. But when should I start learning graphic design (I can’t rely on my friend forever) and what are some good software I can use.
Sorry for all the questions, I have a lot of my mind recently. Thanks for reading!
Toby