Hi everyone.

Well I am new to this forum, so this is my first post

Well to tell you a bit about myself, I am a 21 year old web designer and I have been designing sites for about about 4 or 5 years now. I currently got a job at a company as their web developer which is going good. I also run a side business so I can get some extra cash on the side for other sites.

As for programming, I know HTML (i think its called HTML , CSS, PHP and MySQL. I am also fluent in DW, Flash and a bit of Photoshop.

As my title mentioned I am at a mental roadblock. I think right now my biggest weakness (among the many) designing a site that is pleasing to the user. I'm not much into graphics design and I mainly excel in coding so it is a big problem for me to design a site that is great all around. The company I work for right now is going to hire a seperate web design firm to design a new site which I guess I will maintain after that. I still want to improve on my weakness though and I was curious what everyone would suggest I do. I take it my weakness is using correct colors, fonts, also many of my sites are a bit busy.

I am curious if I should take a course or if there are sites or tutorials I can read on my problem. What does everyone here suggest I do?

Thanks

Wes

what company?

Graphic design isn't everything when it comes to web design! In fact, quicker, information driven CSS sites are on the increase!

In my experience, design, meeting a clients needs, accessibility and overall functionality is a balance that will come mainly from practice. When I first started out I did a huge amount of work for free or nearly free just so I could get the practice in and build up a portfolio. Never forget that you'll never know everything either. I learn new stuff every day. The web changes every day!

As for graphics, layout etc study, study, study would be my best advice. By that I don't just mean burry your nose into a ton of books (although that will help!), but study what others are doing. Which sites float your boat and ask yourself why? If you enjoy the type of sites you design, you're much more likely to be able to service a client's needs!

If a client comes to me wanting a site the very first thing I do is check out what their competition is doing and see if I can do better!

Do the best you can, learn, and do better the next time round!

Learn your graphics program inside out and follow as many quality tutorials as you can too. Use forums like this one to help you out too

Good luck!

Forgot to add - to see some real professional design work check out linkdup.com > websites of the best and biggest companies on earth! Some of these guys make me sick with the amount of talent they have!

Collect sites that you like. Analyse them. As a designer your first task is to lay out a path that will take a viewer to where you want them to go. Second task is to make them feel good about the experience. Here is a site you might find inspirational: http://csszengarden.com

www.20minworkout.com

Hi there, and welcome!
OK, personally, I came from a background of design, rather than any form of programming/HTML kinda thing. I eventually got into webstuff, to showcase my 3d artwork and for me Ive always found the graphic elements easier than the "desiging of sites"...lol...Although Im totally ignorant to php etc.

Prior to going it alone, I was an IT trainer for 5.5 years, and saw the difference I could make to people, (I specialise in Photoshop and post work) for me, I think any course can give you further ideas, as well as of course simply browsing the net. I love www.fcukstar.com, their featured sites always give me inspiration, have a wee look there, some really lovely and unusal stuff.

I also love tutorials, cheap and easy to get through, and quite often, after working through them a few times, I can find a better way of doing things. I get mental blocks too, (got one just now which is why Im feverently posting on the site!..)

Hey, it comes...the best thing is not to worry about the bits you get "bothered" by, concentrate on what your clien fosuc is, and generally the rest follows.

Cheers, scotia!

As all the others suggest, you really have to practice to nail things down. Some designers are gifted and finding and lookin at their sites to analyse them is a good idea. To find them, search for recipients of design awards.

One thing that I do as well is get some of the free templates around and see how they 'carve' up the space and what the colour range is. Very helpful, really.

I'd suggest reading up on some good design books. Even if it does sound like stuff that you are already familiar with, you'll still see some of the designs of others and it'll provide you with some inspiration for future work of your own.

Another suggestion - look at ALL designs, not just web. You would be surprised at what you can get from a billboard, magazine ad/article, etc.

I also save into my favorites sites that I like something about. Do not copy another idea, simply use them at times for inspiration!