http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/ A Miscellaneous forum thread at WPDFD.com en-us 05/09/04, 130 16 2004 2004:%i:1084151792 21:16:32 06/06/13, 157 26 2013 2013:%i:1370575578 23:26:18 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss NineLabs Framework Feed Generator sitemaster@wpdfd.com sitemaster@wpdfd.com http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p891
I am so glad to have found this site - great source of informations and ideas!

I am a starting designer. I have a degree in Fine Arts but never really get to practice it for personal reasons. Then, when I moved to Canada a year ago I thought of finally using my degree and went to study Computer Graphics and Web Media course to update my skills.

I am already 32 yrs. old. While I believe one is never too late to change career and do what you've always love doing, I want to get your thoughts on whether I have a  future in computer graphic design and whether I can still get into this field successfully.

Thanks in advance.  ]]> 05/09/04, 130 16 2004 2004:%i:1084151792 21:16:32 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p891 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p892 tboss_hidalgo said:

I am already 32 yrs. old. While I believe one is never too late to change career and do what you've always love doing, I want to get your thoughts on whether I have a  future in computer graphic design and whether I can still get into this field successfully.

Well, I was considerably older than 32 when I changed to computer graphics from Magic Markers. If it's something you love doing, you are half way there already.

The BIG difference between fine art and graphic design is that you can't just do your own thing. There are these people called 'clients' who want to work you like a puppet and you have to do their merry dance with a broad smile. Pull faces in the privacy of your own home
]]> 05/10/04, 131 55 2004 2004:%i:1084193748 08:55:48 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p892 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2109 ]]> 10/24/07, 297 56 2007 2007:%i:1193205390 01:56:30 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2109 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2110 ]]> 10/24/07, 297 57 2007 2007:%i:1193205473 01:57:53 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2110 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2111 What sort of web site do you need? Big, small, informational, ecommerce, etc.?]]> 10/24/07, 297 29 2007 2007:%i:1193243398 12:29:58 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2111 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2115
i'm taking my major in website in year 2 now and only finish in two year coming but while i'm studying, i do graphic work to pay my study fee...]]> 10/26/07, 299 20 2007 2007:%i:1193383210 03:20:10 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2115 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2116
i'm taking my major in website in year 2 now and only finish in two year coming but while i'm studying, i do graphic work to pay my study fee...]]> 10/26/07, 299 20 2007 2007:%i:1193383250 03:20:50 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2116 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2117
I'm a web designer, just stated freelancing. I have no idea how to price a project. I have my first prospect intend to know how much I charge for updating a website with pictures & text content provided,about 10 pages, the timeframe is 4 days. Can any one who has experiences let me know how to price this project?

Thank you.

I appreciate it.]]> 10/26/07, 299 33 2007 2007:%i:1193427211 15:33:31 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2117 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2123
Take a look at this thread: http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/business/guidelines_for_pricing_work/

You'll probably find some great ideas within it for your pricing guidelines.]]> 10/29/07, 302 59 2007 2007:%i:1193666360 09:59:20 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2123 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2156
Im guessing most clients wouldnt go through your own website by searching on google. Also how should you design your design companies website? mine - www.makeaimpact.co.uk is based on a buiness point of view but it doesnt show off my true graphics skills is there a way to compromise the two?

Thanks]]> 11/07/07, 311 42 2007 2007:%i:1194446571 09:42:51 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2156 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2160
I also had a tough time getting clients to start with. Since I was freelancing alone, I did design my own site but as my ideas have become more stale I don't feel comfortable designing sites for others at the moment. Once I can take pride in my own work, then I'll get back to freelancing.

Sorry, I seem to have gotten a little sidetracked there. In my experience, the best way to get started is primarily just word-of-mouth advertising. How you want to accomplish this is up to you, but I ended up giving away my services almost for free for my first few clients. Once they saw the quality of my work they were more willing to call me back or recommend me to other people. Of course, the first hit was free, but they had to pay for the supply

Let the design of the site (it's layout, colors, etc) showcase your design skills, while the copy details your business practices. You can still make compelling sites which have the consumer in mind but are pushing the envelope of the medium's practices.]]> 11/07/07, 311 48 2007 2007:%i:1194468493 15:48:13 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2160 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2252 03/10/08, 070 09 2008 2008:%i:1205143754 06:09:14 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2252 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2260 If you want to email me, my email address is vietasianfox45@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon.]]> 03/14/08, 074 37 2008 2008:%i:1205512676 12:37:56 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2260 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2262
Anyways, what are some good tools, software, and other things a beginner should have under their belt for web page design.

Right now I have Windows Vista, and I have Paint. So should I happily mark that off my checklist or throw it out the windows? lol

Thanks

Jade]]> 03/16/08, 076 40 2008 2008:%i:1205653207 03:40:07 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2262 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2263
As to software, all you really need is a text editor and a graphics program (Paint won't really cut it).

Graphics programs:
GIMP (free)
Paint Shop Pro (medium price)
Photoshop (high end)

HTML editors:
Crimson Editor (free text editor)
CoffeeCup HTML Editor (low priced)
Dreamweaver (high end)

There are literally hundreds of other programs available but the ones I mentioned above do all have a trial version you can download and try out.

Mike...]]> 03/17/08, 077 43 2008 2008:%i:1205736230 02:43:50 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2263 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2264
I’ve come across a tool to add to sites I do that translates everything free (http://www.appliedlanguage.com/trans/free_quick.aspx), only downside is a link back to the providing site – that I can see of anyway?? Anybody used it or know how good it is??
]]> 03/19/08, 079 15 2008 2008:%i:1205939722 11:15:22 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2264 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2337
one webdesinger must be use photoshot, flash, swift3d, swish and must know html, some java, some server languages.

hmmm, not easy : )]]> 05/06/08, 127 36 2008 2008:%i:1210084561 10:36:01 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2337 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2347
You will be a great designer as you have the will. Just start surfing all possible forums and start building contacts.]]> 05/31/08, 152 06 2008 2008:%i:1212246370 11:06:10 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2347 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2357 Digital Point & Site Point come to mind.

Learn HTML as well as basic graphics creation with PhotoShop or Adobe Illustrator (expensive but ripped versions are a plenty)

Use an HTML editor like dreamweaver or even MS Front Page to start if you must. It'll create code for you. Shitty code but its a start. After building a few start looking at the code and you will slowly learn. Then eventually you wont need an editor and can hand code in NotePad. Better and cleaner code than a WYSIWYG editor.

For graphics just learn how to do gradients and that can cover 90% of what you need to create nice designs.

Learn some Search Engine Optimization basics or else nobody will ever get to see your websites.

Oh, and to the original poster, 32 ain't too late. I was 35 when I started. And my background had nothing to do with design or computers really. But was always interested in many aspects of design and marketing. Read a fuller story on the about page of my blog.

Big Pro Tip = Dual Monitors! Improves productivity big time. Write code in one screen and refresh and view it in browser in the other. Instead of hunting for windows in you start menu.

]]> 06/07/08, 159 12 2008 2008:%i:1212840730 08:12:10 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2357 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2656
I say that to say this: You are never too young or too old, and it is never too early or too late. If you're doing what you love, you've beaten half the battle. If you're good at it, that's another 25% of the battle. (Now we're at 75%.) If there's a will, there's a way. (I guess that covers the other 25%.) Remember, if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.

While I'm here, if anyone has any questions or needs any work done in the way of any type of writing, web design, business solutions and materials, advertising, marketing, research, and/or public speaking, please contact me. You can click my name to visit my blog, or the company name to visit my main website.]]> 04/10/09, 100 39 2009 2009:%i:1239385159 13:39:19 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2656 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2664
We will shortly be offering web design tips and HTML scripts. If your into web design you should check it out]]> 04/21/09, 111 16 2009 2009:%i:1240352210 18:16:50 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2664 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2727 06/19/09, 170 26 2009 2009:%i:1245414407 08:26:47 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2727 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2732 06/22/09, 173 18 2009 2009:%i:1245673138 08:18:58 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2732 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2735 06/24/09, 175 41 2009 2009:%i:1245865278 13:41:18 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2735 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2745

i also start to learning web design]]> 06/29/09, 180 58 2009 2009:%i:1246258734 02:58:54 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2745 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2749 http://adaptivethemes.com]]> 06/30/09, 181 08 2009 2009:%i:1246374529 11:08:49 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2749 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2762 07/01/09, 182 04 2009 2009:%i:1246478660 16:04:20 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2762 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2822 age is not at all problem for your career. If you are interested then you will achieve more and more, you don't want to care about your age. Firstly, you have to dedicate well in your work and keep researching on that, Please don't waste time by thinking about your age. If you are fit to the industry, you will be top in months.
My Wishes...
Thank You.
jumi]]> 08/04/09, 216 00 2009 2009:%i:1249372844 04:00:44 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2822 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2850 08/09/09, 221 07 2009 2009:%i:1249826828 10:07:08 http://www.wpdfd.com/forums/wpdfd/miscellaneous/starting_graphicweb_designer/#p2850