8 replies to this topic

[Cias]

Hello,

I am interested in learning professional webdesign - but I do not have the knowledge yet.

Programs that I own:
Adobe Photoshop CS2
Adobe Illustrator CS2
Macromedia Flash 8
Macromedia Fireworks 8
Macromedia Dreamweaver 8
Macromedia Contribute 3
Macromedia Coldfusion 7
Autodesk 3ds Max 9

The questions:

• What kind of coding and designing skills are required to earn $200-300+ per client in general?
  
  
• What coding language do you recommend to learn? Will be learning one.
  
• Do I need any additional program to be a professional webdeveloper/designer?
  
• Are all of these programs useful for webdeveloping/designing?
  
  
• ASP.NET vs. PHP?
  
• How much can you make a month as a professional freelance designer? How many clients do you usually have?
  
• Is it worth the effort to learn this and earn money this way

I am looking forward to recieve answers from professional webdevelopers/designers. NONE of these theory geeks are welcome to answer here with obvious speculations like "it depends on X or Y".
Concrete answers are heartly welcome, and appriciated.

[Matthew.]

Quote

NONE of these theory geeks are welcome to answer here with obvious speculations like "it depends on X or Y".

Them I'm afraid you have just outed anyone with any common sense or experience.

What kind of coding and designing skills are required to earn $200-300+ per client in general?

Question is too broad, you must be proficient enough to accommodate to the clients needs which includes basic program knowledge right up to knowledge and experience in design techniques and trends.

What coding language do you recommend to learn? Will be learning one.
Client side languages will be the must. HTML and CSS are essential.

Do I need any additional program to be a professional webdeveloper/designer?
Programs do not make professionals, experience does. Many professionals use open source programs but then again many use expensive ones such as Dreamweaver. Find out what suits you.

Are all of these programs useful for webdeveloping/designing?

It depends on which area you wish to specialize in. Again too broad but all programs are created for a reason ergo must be in some way helpful.

ASP.NET vs. PHP?
Extremely hard question to answer and one to which i have never been able to produce or read one that i find fills it. Both languages are equally matched in what they can and can't do, however most prefer to learn php for varied reasons. (open source, runs better with linux, suposively more stable, easier to find support etc)

How much can you make a month as a professional freelance designer? How many clients do you usually have?

Depends how you advertise yourself and how good you are. Freelance is like any other buiness, reputation and a boastful portfolio is everything. (aside from talent) As for how much, it's technically limitless depending on what you feel you can handle youself within that time.

Is it worth the effort to learn this and earn money this way

IMO, yes. Development interests me and i can make a bit of money off it when i want to which is why i got into it (apart from being extremely bored). You cam make a living off it, but most choose it as a hobby or side project i think you'll find.

Perhaps not the answers you are looking for but hey i tried my best

Edited by Matthew., 01 January 2007 - 08:35 AM.

[α∂αмяoss]

1. Earning $200-300 is a hard job but it can be done. You'll need to be a professional as photoshop & macromedia flash and for coding skills you will need HTMl, CSS, PHP & MySQL.
2. I'd start off with HTML then try and add some CSS to it. Once you feel comfortable with them i suggest you learn PHP and then add MySQL on top of it.
3. Well you'll definately need Photoshop, Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Dreamweaver.
4 Yup, they most definately are.
5. PHP is used much more nowadays but i'd say they tie because they are both extremely useful.
6. Depends on what sort of clients you get. It's best to have about 2-3 a week so you don't overload yourself with promises and dead-lines you cant reach.
7. It most definately is and will be a good way to earn your living.

[Cias]

Any more comments from professionals?

[N4Z.]

Is it worth the effort to learn this and earn money this way

Web design, imo, is the biggest and fastest growing profession ever..

This job can be very easy so long as you learn the correct skills and qualities needed for this profession. It is also maybe the best job to have if you want to be self employed because you make your own hours, your own prices, you're your on boss.

The only thing is, your hobby has now turned into your job, meaning what once was your hobby is beginning to be something you are starting to dislike, so you need to make sure you only do things you enjoy and the odd unenjoyable job (Depending on how much money you really want to earn) you got to try and balance it out

Thats my 2 cents.

Edited by S0LDIER., 01 January 2007 - 08:56 AM.

[Davey]

S0LDIER., on Jan 1 2007, 01:55 PM, said:

The only thing is, your hobby has now turned into your job, meaning what once was your hobby is beginning to be something you are starting to dislike, so you need to make sure you only do things you enjoy and the odd unenjoyable job (Depending on how much money you really want to earn) you got to try and balance it out

not quite true... look at professional footballers... u think david beckham dislikes football, even just 1 bit? lol - making a hobby into ur job does not mean u will grow to dislike it...

[Cias]

Is there any single person here that does earn good money by webdesigning/coding?

[Matthew.]

Cias, on Jan 1 2007, 06:35 PM, said:

Is there any single person here that does earn good money by webdesigning/coding?

I expect there are, well..i am sure there are..but they are not all going to read this thread. Aside from that remember this is a tutorial indexing websites' forum, basically means most people here are still learning, a majority of them are still starting out.

You will find on sites that deal with the more professional side of the internet such as namepros or digital point that there will be many more who do.

[Cias]

Matthew., on Jan 1 2007, 09:17 PM, said:

Cias, on Jan 1 2007, 06:35 PM, said:

Is there any single person here that does earn good money by webdesigning/coding?

I expect there are, well..i am sure there are..but they are not all going to read this thread. Aside from that remember this is a tutorial indexing websites' forum, basically means most people here are still learning, a majority of them are still starting out.

You will find on sites that deal with the more professional side of the internet such as namepros or digital point that there will be many more who do.

I know that already - it dosent cost anything to chance and see if I get any respond though. Thanks for the links.