I am looking for a web design course

andra1321

Hi! i am looking to start a career in web design and im looking for a good course in Dublin that could give me a degree or qualification. Alternatively, is there a course that could give me good working experience in this area?
Thank you very much!

Webmonkey

First of all, have you any experience at all with web development? - It isn't a thing you can just be taught. I would first of all spend a while practicing messing around. I doubt many courses teach you properly anyways. A lot probably still using tables and frames...

p

What's your background at present. Are you more interested in the creative, visual side, or the technical, programming side.

Either way, pick yourself up a copy of Heads First XHTML & CSS and start reading. There's nought else out there that's much good.

Are you looking for a longer course or degree to do?

andra1321

i'm working in the IT industry at the moment but i am interested in the design/ visual side much more; programming is not realy for me although i understood that i need some programming knowldge for web design. I found some begginers courses (part-time, evening stuf) but i'd like to do something more advanced than this;something that would give more of a perspective and career oportunities as well.

Pixelcraft

Personally, I would recommend going for a design course so, then afterwards, teach yourself and do some online courses in front end web design. Web design courses unfortunately seem to be all about learning (sometimes outdated) software, rather than best practices, and have little or no design theory.

p

Buy that book I recommended. And then go to a decent library and get books out on graphic design, layout, grid theory. Alsom enroll in a drawing or painting class to get you to start thinking about visual design in a real way.

The part-time courses out there might be good, but bear in mind that they generally teach very poor practices.

Liam Byrne

I teach design courses and yes - loads of the "certified" courses are years out of date.

We've tailored courses to match specific requirements, but usually for companies or groups, as a one-on-one tailored course can be prohibitively expensive.

mcgu

Hi there - am in the same boat. I have nearly 10 yrs experience in bog standard print work - then last yr had a bad accident - only getting full mobility back in my right arm now. I got another job in the meantime - but just found out I'm being made redundant at the end of January!!! (Bad year!!)
Anyhow, I need to upskill, and dont have the reddies to pay for a private web design course - was going to do a couple of e-learning courses with fas... http://www.ecollege.ie/site/pages/categories/CatWebDesign.html
and also a course in marketing to give me a fighting chance in the market... I'm 33 - (long in the tooth I know) But I'll not give up just yet!!!
Any advice would be great.

p

This course is pretty interesting. It's only short but it'd open your eyes to the design world:

http://www.madartstudio.com/web-design-course.html

sinlaw

I find the Computer Arts and the Computer Arts Projects magazines to be really helpful when you're starting out, especially from a design point-of-view as it opens your eyes to what's out there and what's possible. The tutorials are usually good and will teach you things you won't find in an average class.

These mags will predominantly feature Photoshop and the like but you'll need to get your head around that if you're serious about web design anyway. You'll come across the odd issue that will specialise in web/flash etc. and that's the one you should grab.

Hope this helps!

mcgu

Thanks for that! Ive decided that I am going to do a series of e-learning courses with Fas to start out (Blended course - where you have the mix of both online and classroom based teaching) and with 3 of these under my belt, will try and build a few basic sites for friends/family etc. I'll also pick up a copy of computer arts (Although Ive seen it before and I dont think my dole will stretch to a subscription !) I'm also really interested in the whole idea of online marketing. I already have an hons degree in Vis com from NCAD, but would like to do a masters in marketing. (Heaven forbid, that I'm still on the dole queue in Sept...but third level might be an option to take if thats the case). Can anyone suggest a full time course that that would have good online marketing content? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I never thought at 33 I'd be starting over....But who knows, it could be the best thing that ever happened!

Thanks again for your replies!
Carol

PJTierney

p wrote: »

Buy that book I recommended. And then go to a decent library and get books out on graphic design, layout, grid theory. Alsom enroll in a drawing or painting class to get you to start thinking about visual design in a real way.

The part-time courses out there might be good, but bear in mind that they generally teach very poor practices.

I might want to do the same in future myself, cheers

mcgu

Ive been amazed at what Fas offer to tell you the truth. I've plenty of self trained experience in CS4, but am a dinosaur when it comes to web! Also you can do these e-learning courses free with fas from the moment you get jobseekers benefit - without losing your entitlement. Also if you are employed - you can pay 120euro to do the course yourself - as you dont have to be unemployed. I was shocked to hear that the take-up of these blended courses has been very bad...meaning they were only introduced this year - but take up is terrible for some reason, and the courses may not last if it does not improve. So spread the word people! Feedback from people who have done the blended courses has been excellent - with many enrolling in more courses.

At least it will keep me in the loop - even if it just adds another few words to my CV.

Carol.

Pixelcraft

Just remember, that they teach how to use software, and not how to design or develop with best practices. By all means do these courses to get an idea of the industry, but you'll be a long way off the standard required for employment.

mcgu

Baby Steps! I can only do what I can do. I have a mortgage to pay, and will be living on very little from here on-in. If I could afford a private course - I would (I once paid 2k for a 5 day design course in the good old days - without blinking an eye).

But I just cannot afford it now. I have also looked down the route of doing work experience (at 33 its a little humiliating - but I offered) to no avail as it cuts my social welfare payment off - its a no-win situation.

I dont expect to come out getting a web design job out of these courses, however I do want to show that against the odds I bothered to try and learn as much as I could. I know it takes years But.....

You have to start somewhere dont you?

Pixelcraft

Yes, and I'm not saying expensive private courses are any better. Self teaching is the way to go at the moment, will cost you nothing but time & materials.