Can I become a Web Designer without programming?

Question

I have a taken a few Web Design courses using Dreamweaver and love it. I can write HTML, however I hate programming. I bombed my C++ class. Is it possible to be a successful Web Designer without programming? I'm looking to just create simple brochure type websites for people without all of the complex programming. There has to be a market for companies who just want a simple web page that can be created by mastering Dreamweaver and Fireworks. What do you think?

Answer 1

The answer is an emphatic "yes". As a website designer, you can design websites and if your client needs something that you can't provide, you can always hire a programmer to do those things that you can't or don't have the time for, and work it into the overall price. Most web developers write programs, and have no creative design talent, but can perform the impossible when it comes to completing the programming to what you want. Outsourcing has become a good industry, and finding a programmer that will work with you is not difficult. I've done it a few times, and it has always worked out.

The one thing you will need to do though is write up something in the contract to your client, that states something like you "reserve the right to assign subcontractors to the project to insure the right fit for the job as well as on-time completion".

Good luck!!

DianeD

Answer 2

I would say no. First off HTML is not a programming language it is only a markup language...there is a difference. Being a web designer includes a TON more than just making webpages with Dreamweaver and HTML. There are many languages to master such as Javascript, PHP, Perl, etc. These languages are what you can use to make websites dynamic. If you know only HTML and can use dreamweaver and fireworks and that is it then I say you could not make a living as a web designer. Also, programming is more than just coding, it also is planning, organizing, and researching the best way to accomplish a task. Maybe side jobs but with those skills alone but I don't think any company would hire you as a "Web Designer."

Answer 3

You ask a lot of really good questions. I wish the internet was around before I started college. I would of asked the same questions. Here are my answers: Should I bother to make the effort to get into the graphic design field without a degree? Yes, but you should work on a degree at the same time. You can make a portfolio to show potential clients and also earn a degree. Be ambitious and do both. Do you agree that it is more important to develop a strong portfolio than to have an impressive resume and college education background? I see your logic and it is possible but here is the difference. If you go to college you will learn from many different teachers and have a degree that shows you can make a commitment and follow through. On the other hand if you don't go to college you will basically teach yourself. A college education will give you more knowledge from different view points. You will also have a degree. Society respects college degrees. It is just the way it is. I do not think it will change. Yes, there are exceptions to everything but you can't go wrong if you go to college and apply yourself. Do employers REALLY care more about talent than credentials? Will they care that my teacher wrote in a recent recommendation letter for me that "the world of visual design needs more people like her"? Will they care that I'm a praised student or will they just want someone who went to college? Credentials help. A college education is a good thing. You can use common sense in a lot of things. What if you were hiring for a project and 2 people applied. One went to Penn State and had a great portfolio and the other one was self taught and had a great portfolio. You would most likely choose Penn State with a great portfolio. There is a lot of competition out there and you need to stay marketable and competitive. You also need to put yourself in real world situations. Here is why college is good. Let's say Company XYZ needs a new print and online campaign for their new car that is coming out and they want to reach a certain age group. Let's also say that you did a project like this in college. You would already have a background in it. These are the types of things that you work on in college. Projects based on real world situations. Let's say you taught yourself, what would you say? Is an employer likely to hire a person just recently out of high school? Yes, if there portfolio is really good and they see potential. What kind of difference will it make if I work an apprenticeship at a design firm? Do they even tend to hire apprentices as actual workers eventually? I wouldn't use the word apprentice. I would say intern. Yes, design firms hire interns. Apprentice sounds outdated or it would be better used for different types of work.

Answer 4

I went to Art Institute for their web design 2 year program. We were never taught programming (had one short class on ASP), just web design (HTML and the like). After I graduated I found finding a web design job with no programming skills was virtually impossible. The only possible way to really make a career out of web design is to start your own "company" and design web sites for people who won't need features that require programming knowledge.

Answer 5

There is a difference between designer and developer. I work with a lot of designers, that have a much better eye that I do.

So your answer is yes, you could be the best Web designer in the world and not know anything about programming.

If you can design things that look good in Pagemaker, Publisher, Word, etc, then you can make a Web Page look good.

There are lots of Web Developers out there that can make what you want happen, but the customer pays for the look, it can be the best programmed site in the world, but if it looks like crap, who will like it.

Hope this helps,

Good Luck.

Two suggestions: Dreamweaver http://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver/

Coffee Cup Software (I know these guys, and they make a good interface, especially for starting out) http://www.coffeecup.com/software/

Answer 6

Yes, but it helps greatly to have Programming. All Web Designers I know are really great Programmers

Answer 7

Yes You can,

But these is like you know car and wanted to fly a Aeroplane which had same cantrols like car but internal engeneering is diffrent so if it become unstable you can not repair it coz u don't know.

So man a little bit programing will be fun for you it's nothing that you don't like but u had never tried I am sure try it and get fun.