hi, i eventually want to get hired by a company to be a web designer, im still working on css, and getting better at it but i still need a lot of work. when i look at all the good web designs out there it seems like a lot of the work is photoshop, and the possibilities are endless. theres no way i think i can learn it all, so i was wondering when i know im ready to be hired? i can do mockup websites so far, simple static ones. most of my images i get from google and i adjust them in photoshop. but i think i have to google photoshop tutorials as i go for the task at hand, instead of just randomly doing photoshop tutorials. a company is going to hand me an idea and ive got to convert it into some visual photoshop format, and i might not know how to do it in photoshop. i was wondering , how do i know when im ready to be hired? one way is that when i can stop asking questions in the forum, im closer. any help greatly appreciated. thanks. derek

Hi Derek,

I am responsible for hiring designers for the company I work for and the one rule I've found invaluable is, "Does he/she have a background in hardcore Fine Arts?"

Fine Arts is where you'll learn the fundamentals of design. It's where you'll perfect your skills in colour matching, drawing, etc.

Translating those skills for the web is pretty simple for someone who has been able to join an online forum like this one. If you can find this site, you can find GIMP and other Photoshop-like software and learn to use it. But if the fundamental design skills aren't there, no amount of net research can help you.

Finally, you are NEVER ready. The net makes all of us, "Works In Progress", in my opinion. The second you master something, there's something better available.

Deepak

awesome thank you! i do have a degree in fine arts, im just learning to translate that to web design which is kind of hard since there is content. derek

oops 2 post error sorry

Originally Posted by deepakmorris

Finally, you are NEVER ready. The net makes all of us, "Works In Progress", in my opinion. The second you master something, there's something better available.

I agree with this. I don't believe anyone has mastered all that can be mastered when it comes to web design, because the possibilities are limitless, just like with fine art. As long as you feel confident that you can deliver for a company's vision of what they want they want their website to look like, or negotiate with them to find a better design, then I think you will fine. And even if you come across a challenge, you can still find the resources to create effective solutions. Sometimes it's only a matter of attitude; if you know you will find a way, you usually do.

Finally, you are NEVER ready. The net makes all of us, "Works In Progress", in my opinion. The second you master something, there's something better available

Agree with that statment for all aspects of life

How about the idea of getting yourself a portfolio up for reviews? You mentioned that you design static sites. So that means you should have some screenshots of that site that you designed. Show them to us. Then from that, we can tell if you're ready or not.

You can contact some local community service organizations and ask if they'd like you to design a site for them. They can't pay you for your time, but you will get "real world" experience and a chance to build a portfolio.

Don't forget to keep offline copies of everything you do. Some websites drop off the map after a year or two.

i dont think im ready. my websites are a bit rough with little content but i was trying to at least get the pages to work and get a decent design. someone asked me to show my portfolio. so here it is so far.

http://derekvanderven.com/websites3.html

When it starts to swell.

Based on your description to your site I think you're still not yet ready.

its a good start just keep practicing

base on the perspective of your site it really shows that you are not ready yet you needed to learn more and gain more experience as you grow. remember work is experience. while you work you gain experience.

Compare yourself to competitors

Ask for reviews on this forum

When you look at materials all around you and judge the font and delivery


When you apply for jobs with a direct link to your portfolio within your C.V. - Tell us whether you get responses or not.

When you cough vectors and bleed fonts

Then you will know