konnor5092

I'm after some advice/info from any web-bodz about there about perhaps how I should develop my interest in web design/development.

I graduated with an unrelated IT degree and am currently employed as a software consultant (tres dull). I've dabbled with a few sites here and there and I really enjoy it, however it it difficult to sit in front of a screen after doing so for 8 hours of day already.

I struggled with programming at university (Java, C, C++) and therefore find web development very daunting. I would like to succeed at it of course but I don't think I quite have that think outside the box OOP type brain. Being presented with a blank canvas doesn't fill me with confidence either and posses next to no artistic ability.

Enough of the negative! What I do know is I love doing it. I love seeing a site come together and the warm feeling inside you get knowing your own work is 'out there'. I'm certainly willing to work at it.

What I'm after is perhaps some personal stories where you have maybe been in my boat and but have been rewarded for working at it.

Stripping this post down to the minimum..

Can I get good at web design without an artistic flair? (studying books, practice, trial and error)?

Can I get good at programming without possessing good background skills like OOP (my dyslexia doesn't do me any favors in this department...)?

Or am I completely wasting my time...

just to give you an indication of the level I'm currently at..

web design..

http://www.studentrecipes.com
http://www.wymondhamfreight.com
http://www.mattoconnor.co.uk

pa007

Well I love the student recipes and the mattoconnor sites. Did you do all elements of those sites or where other people on board? Because you seem to doubt your ability yet they are better than most things on the web. Great design, great layout and great code, so no worries there. Having the confidence to put stuff out is half of it.

You have a background in IT and a good knowledge of html, css etc so I don't see any problems. Just buy some good books on things you're interested in (let me know what you want to learn and I could recommend a few) and do a couple of projects personal or for people you know and see how it goes applying that knowledge. You learn by doing, as I'm sure you know. Also the languages you will be dealing with aren't OOP languages so you'll be fine. Scripting languages are far simpler as they do not require a compiler and since you have experience you will handle things like JavaScript (not nearly as scary as Java) and php with ease.

You don't need to be artistic really, you can earn a great living just focusing on development. The only people who need all skills are self contained freelancers. The best jobs are very specific and often you will focus on your area of expertise (which could front-end development, if you wanted). Don't get disheartened, try to learn some new stuff and try different things out. If you get stuck with anything then post here. This is why webforumz exists; to help people out.

Pete.

Lchad

Well I most certainly think you have a solid career ahead of you! I would encourage you to do this for sure. You are better than MANY so-called professionals I have seen!

Just do it. You clearly have an eye for it, and you don't need to get into the programming end that you mentioned. You've got the xhtml/css. If you feel like exploring the occasional javascript and php than do it. If you can't wrap your brain around like I can't or don't want to, that's fine too.

I'd keep your day job in the beginning because it takes time to build up the clientelle. Like Nike says "Just do it!"

sannbe

Ok, Konnor, my story

I worked at a major corporation for over 27 years. I have been in love with all things computer for a long time. (I actually learned DOS(pre history). I went to night school and got a masters degree to improve my position in the company. They didn't want it, so I retired. I needed to genterate income so I started consulting in my career field.(communications) However, my sister owns a bookstore and wanted a website. Soooo, Lots of fits and starts and mistakes and successes, I am slowly learning.
Webforumz has been a huge help and I can't say enough about the help I have recieved here. I am glad I am changing what I am doing, because this is a lot more fun.