What is the most valuable web design skill to learn?

Question

I am a print graphic designer looking to update my resume, but i don't want to go all the way back to taking classes in HTML. What is the hottest application to learn is web design today?

Answer 1

any Macormedia products look good to be knowledgeable in on a resume
try here
http://www.adobe.com/training/
happy new year

Answer 2

Learning HTML is a must for web design (even if you don't want to learn it)
Learning PHP is very savvy right now. It is easy and there are lots of tutorials. In the end, though, you still need to know HTML.

If you really don't want to learn HTML, use a program like Dreamweaver and it will write it for you.

Answer 3

The #1 most valuable design skill is DESIGN. Websites design is an ART. Unless you have no care for asthetics, then I'm wasting my time. If not, photoshop is a great program for design and auto coding. Dreamweaver enables you to then make edits. Super easy. Lynda.com is a great resource. I love her and her crew of computer wielding geeks. Good luck!

Answer 4

when it comes to web design...

you must know html!!

there is one exception and it seems to be right up your ally...

FLASH...Learn flash, it is a way of designing web sites using graphic design. it sounds like a perfect fit.

Answer 5

Being a successful web designer requires having a complete understanding of the underlying concepts that go into constructing a web site. Many talented print designers fail at web design, just as much as talented web designers fail at print design, because the disciplines diverge as much as they align.

As other answerers mentioned, it is imperative to learn HTML. Even if you are not the one who will be coding the HTML for clients, you have to understand its strengths and limitations as well as the coders. It's the same as not wanting to learn the difference between offset and screen printing because you aren't the one in the print shop implementing the design.

Since you are a print graphic designer, you have a good understanding of color theory, composition and design theory. These are good disciplines that will carry over into web design. However, the web adds dimensions that print designers do not have to consider, such as interactivity. How do design elements respond to user input? There are also transmission concerns. You don't have to worry if your design will get to the viewer in a timely manner if it has too many curves in it, but that is something web developers must take into account - curves must be made with images, and images make the page slower to download.

You also have to be able to communicate with and contribute to the web design or redesign project as a whole. Valuable designers can provide input throughout the process.

Here are some books in my library that I consider excellent resources for someone who is a designer for the web:

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Foundational:

HTML 4 Bible
http://www.amazon.com/HTML-Bible-CD-ROM-Bryan-Pfaffenberger/dp/0764534734/sr=8-2/qid=1167192008/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&s=books

Beginning CSS Web Development: From Novice to Professional
http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-CSS-Web-Development-Professional/dp/1590596897/sr=8-5/qid=1167192071/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&s=books


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Design theory as it applies to the web:

The Design of Sites
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Sites-Principles-Customer-Centered-Experience/dp/020172149X/sr=1-2/qid=1167192098/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&s=books

Don't Make Me Think
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Me-Think-Usability/dp/0321344758/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prodimg_3/104-6117150-7818300

Designing Visual Interfaces
http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Visual-Interfaces-Communication-Techniques/dp/0133033899/sr=1-1/qid=1167192292/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&s=books

Defensive Design for the Web
http://www.amazon.com/Defensive-Design-Web-improve-messages/dp/073571410X/sr=1-1/qid=1167192326/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&s=books

Universal Principles of Design
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592530079/ref=wl_it_dp/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&coliid=I22LYOKI1PBZ5I&colid=S5EH6PIVG85E

Web Style Guide - Basic Principles for Creating Web Sites
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300088981/ref=wl_it_dp/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&coliid=ITDMKJS673K10&colid=S5EH6PIVG85E


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General web design/development practice and theory:

Web ReDesign 2.0
http://www.amazon.com/Web-ReDesign-2-0-Workflow-Works/dp/0735714339/sr=1-1/qid=1167192173/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&s=books

Paper Prototyping - The Fast and Easy Way to Design and Refine User Interfaces
http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Prototyping-Interfaces-Interactive-Technologies/dp/1558608702/sr=1-1/qid=1167192881/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6117150-7818300?ie=UTF8&s=books


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If you browse the reviews of each of those to find some that sound interesting or helpful to you, buy a few and they will be very helpful.

But most of all, I stress that practice is the only real way to build the web design skill. You will learn what is actually required to make a site by doing it all yourself, and you will become much more valuable (and be able to bill higher) for knowing it all. Come up with some themes for some web sites - make an site that sells socks, make a site about your pet, whatever, and then create them - from concept to production. It doesn't matter if anyone actually visits them, but having completed web sites is the final step in landing jobs - having a portfolio. Companies are looking for proof of skill, not traffic volume. If you have completed sites that no one cares about and aren't even for real, but showcase your abilities, you will get hired.

Answer 6

Erm Frontpage?

I hard code it. http://www.w3schools.com is good with HTML tutorials, they make it short and sweet

Answer 7

dreamweaver MX. it's easy and powerful.