Top 5 Web Design Learning Tips
April 6, 2009
Since killersites.com is largely a web learning portal, I figured that I should outline my top 5 learning tips.
Tip #1: Making mistakes is normal. Actually it can be a good thing!
When it comes to web design and web programming (PHP, ASP etc) making mistakes is par for the course. Even old web-nerds are constantly correcting errors, so don’t sweat it. Actually, making mistakes can be a great way to learn. I actually recommend that people ‘break’ things on purpose to see how errors occur in a controlled manner.
… This will soon teach you how to better read errors which in the end, will save you a lot of time in your work.
Tip #2: Be patient
Web design can sometimes be a frustrating process, so one of the most useful qualities of character you can develop is patience.
Tip #3: Sleep on it.
Sometimes you come across a problem that you just can’t seem to solve. Maybe it’s a layout that just doesn’t work the way you want it to. Maybe it’s a bug in your PHP code that you just can’t track down. Whatever it may be, when after working on it for a little while with no progress, it’s a good idea to set it aside and come back to it the next day … sleep on it.
… The next day, often you’ll find that the solution will come easily.
Tip #4: Build pages and build websites
What is that expression … ‘repetition is the mother of skill’. Or, something like that.
The point is, that you should be working to build as many pages and as many web sites as possible. The important thing is to complete the website project and then start a new one. You DON’T want to get caught in the trap of the ‘never ending’ web design project where you are continuously tweaking, changing and modifying your design or your web layout. A website does not have to be perfect, especially in the learning stages, it just has to be good enough.
… It is important to complete the job and start something new.
Tip #5: Never give up
Ok, this one is probably a tip you’ve heard one time too many, nonetheless, it is true. The key to succeeding in anything is to not give up. Too many give up too soon, don’t be one of them.
Thanks for reading,
Stefan Mischook
www.killersites.com
