Once in a while, it can be fun to look at the deeper meaning of the technologies behind web design. So let’s start with the most basic: what exactly is HTML?
HTML is short for:
Hyper Text Markup Language.
In a nutshell: HTML is a written language used to mark-up a page. Think of marking-up like placing markers on a field. These markers give instruction to people who understand what the markers mean. In the case of web design, replace ‘makers’ with tags, a web page for a field and people with web browsers – like Internet Explorer or Firefox. To summarize:
markers = html tags/text
field = web page
people who read markers = web browsers
I recently discovered that many a web designer and programmer may not really know that in HTML, hyper text is a reference to the links – links are the ‘hyper text’ in the markup language. The text in a web page that is turned into a link, is made ‘hyper’ because when you click on it, the web browser takes you to another page, or downloads a file etc … It’s kinda hyper active, like a 5 year old who’s had too much sugar.
There are other markup languages that predate HTML btw, languages like SGML. In fact, SGML is the father/mother of HTML.
Now you can impress your next date with this information. That’s all for now.
Some of my best posts (at least IMHO) are derived from questions put to me by students and visitors to one of our ‘killer’ sites.
😉
So, this time around, I have a great question from an old school Oracle developer who wants to get into the web game:
Hi Stefan,
Speaking for myself, I’m a former Oracle application and database developer (10 yrs exp) who’s looking to transition to freelance web design/development, and will likely become a subscriber to KillerSites University in short order.
My question for you is this: would I need to shell out for Dreamweaver in order to derive maximum benefit from the site’s video tutorials (HTML/CSS/JavaScript/PHP/mySQL)? Or, could I get by using a combination of free tools, such as Amaya w/TopStyle Lite?
Also, how crucial is the graphics component of web design for someone who wishes to become a web developer (ultimate emphasis on the programming side)? My artistic and spatial skills are rather limited, to put it mildly (thought modality is decidedly more verbal than visual)?
Thank you for your help.
Nick
The answer:
Hi Nick,
Dreamweaver is just an option. We use Dreamweaver to teach web design software, because it is the most widely used commercial package out there … and besides, the concepts carry forward to most other web design programs.
… But keep in mind and as you are probably aware, many web designers will use a simple text editor for much of their work.
🙂
How about designer/graphics skills?
Graphics are not necessarily important because you can leverage the many templates that are out there. Besides, if you follow a few basic design principles, you can make a simple page look good.
The truth of the matter is that still today, it is the coder/programmer who makes the big money and gets many more jobs than the average designer. The exception of course, is if you are a talented designer – then you’ll do very well too.
These two training packages are probably what you are looking for:
I recently got an email from someone asking about the skills needed to start a web design business:
1. Is it essential to know how to build DATABASE DRIVEN WEB PAGES to become a web designer?
2. Can I start my own simple web designing business without it?
My answer:
Hi,
You can build a web design business without web programming skills … but it will be harder. That said, learning basic PHP and Javascript will make building your business much easier. Think about it, just about every website out there needs some Javascript and PHP functionality.
Also take into consideration that knowing how to program will allow you to get more jobs and charge more for your time.
I always find it a challenge to balance the aesthetic of the site, while still keeping it usable. On top of that, I don’t want to overload visitors with my sales pitch (for my video courses) … yet I still want to sell videos.
🙁
New Video Courses
This blog post itself is an example of that; I want to mention our new web design video training packages, but I also want to give you guys some useful information. So first, the useful information:
The Web ‘likes’ the soft sell.
That means that your product information should be interwoven with something useful or interesting. Pretty simple.
So back to our new home page with the rotating top banner .. pretty nifty stuff and easily done with JQuery … something we teach come to think of it!
😉
So my question to you is, do you think our home page is becoming too commercial?
You can expect to see dozens of free closed captioned videos over the next several months – just check out our blogs. In the meantime, you can view many of our video tutorials in Killersites University. They will be made available on Killervideostore.com for download or on DVD in the next few weeks.
Once again, an article derived from a question put to me:
What do you offer unemployed 75-years old geezers doing a Flash self-learning approach, to maintain my sanity knowing no company, at my age, will ever offer me gainful income employment ???
Respectfully,
Marvin G
Translation: Can old geezers make a living in web design?
Short answer: yes.
… If you train properly.
The best thing about the web design field is that it is very open and not hindered by regulation and formality that we see in many other professions.
In fact, the professional web world is one of the few meritocracies left on this planet – imagine that, skill and talent count!
… It never fails to baffle me why economists and professional stock pickers still have jobs!? Oh yea, they don’t need to produce results!
Anyway …
Flash though, may not be the best route because it is a marginalized aspect of web design and I think with the added pressure from Apple and HTML5 (that supplants some important aspects of Flash) … it will fade even more so. I am NOT saying Flash will disappear, but I think it will be used that much less.
So what is the solution?
First thing, you may want to consider being self employed web designer, start taking on web design jobs. It much more fun anyway! And 2nd, you need to learn the skills of a modern web designer … skills that are used everyday:
– HTML
– CSS
– PHP
– Javascript
The last two on my list may scare you (programming for web designers?), but in fact, it is the key to you getting more jobs and earning more money than the next guy.
Conclusion:
I believe that the open nature of the web design profession and the growing demand for websites, combined with some strategic web design training … and yes, geezers will not just make some extra cash, they can make a good living and on their schedule. Remember, with web design, you don’t need to go work for a company.
In this article I listed some hourly rates you could charge depending on your skills, experience and talents. I wanted to point out that these numbers are not written in stone because of a few other factors:
– Where you live.
– How the economy is doing.
– Where technology is going.
So for example, someone living in Bangkok Thailand will probably get paid a lot less than someone living in New York city because everything is much cheaper in Thailand. For instance, an apartment that would cost you $500 in Bangkok will cost you $3000 in New York. So keep this in mind when reading.
–
Hi,
I get a lot of web design and web programming related questions thrown at me and from time to time I use them as the basis of a blog post:
Tell me if you will. How much can a person expect to earn as a website developer?
Thanks again. I am hoping to make this a new career for me.
My answer:
How much can a person expect to earn as a website developer?
Depends on where you live, your skills, talent and experience. So let’s say you’re Mr. average, pretty good at what you do, but not one of those rare ultra-nerds or ultra-designers.
Once you have basic web design skills in place:
– html
– css
– basic design skills
.. You can make the lower end of a middle class living. So of many places, that’s about $15-25 hr – depending on your talents.
Once you add these skills:
– PHP (able to do simple things and modify scripts in simple ways)
– Javascript – same level as PHP
… Then you can at another $5-10hr to that base. Again, depends on your depth of knowledge and talent.
Finally, if you can add to that:
– An understanding of web architecture.
– SEO
– Usablility
– More advanced PHP/ Javascript skills.
– Some experience under your belt.
… Then you can start finding yourself making much more. Experience and talent do play a major role in this.
In my heyday as a Java web programmer, I was billing out at $200 hr.
This is part 2 of our new series on CSS layouts. In this particular CSS screencast, we look at the fixed pixel layout vs a liquid layout and we also take a quick look at the new Dreamweaver CS5.
I just wanted to announced that I have just released our new video course on CSS layouts. It is a 13 part series where you will learn both fixed layout and liquid layout using modern CSS techniques.
As an added bonus, you will also be learning a little about Dreamweaver CS5 since all the demos are done in the new Dreamweaver.
Check out the intro video (watch it in 720p and fullscreen):
I will be releasing more samples from the course on my blogs but you can get the whole course through our video tutorial subscription service.
