How to get better in webdesign?

[Galaad]

Hello, my friends.

I am looking for advices about giving my next steps. I know practice will make me better, but I need to know what practice first to get better.

I got some notion of Photoshop (about beginner to intermediate), and I am good with coding, but my graphic design skills still poor.

I need some references of materials, exercises, practices... anything who will make me getting better fast.

My worse skills are creating banners and logos. I know some cool Photoshop effects, but I just can't think in something who will make a good header for a website and since I learned too much about webdesign itself, my notion to create logos are almost zero.

Please, I need some advices to start make some money fast. I am near to quit my university because I can't afford it anymore.

And I am looking for a mentor. I can help finish some simple jobs for just guidance.


Thank you everyone who try to help me!
I hope the best for us all!

[garricks]

Welcome to the forum Galaad. We ask all new members to read the forum rules posted here and here. They will give you all the info you need on how the forum runs, the rules and regs, and give you some background info on our long running, inside jokes

[PrintDriver]

1. you don't use Photoshop to make logos. It doesn't matter if the client thinks they are going to be 'web-only'. Any company that is going to stay a company is going to need that logo printed as some point not to far into their life.

2. there is no 'easy' button to learning good design. Graphic Design is a profession, not a get-rich-quick scheme. There is theory behind it. Color theory, Marketing Theory, Psychology et al. It isn't about making pretty pictures on a page.

[Galaad]

garricks

Thanks!

Just finished read everything!
I hope I can bring something valuable soon to the forum!



PrintDriver

1. So I will use what to make logos?

2. I am not trying to get rich overnight by "drawing some beautiful pictures". I am trying to learn how to be a good professional. If I keep this mindset "I can't get good fast", guess what will happens?

I will work hard to get better, even knowing that will takes a long time to master the concepts and techniques.

I am just seeking help to not waste time with something that maybe is not that important right now.

I am not a native english speaker, sorry if passed the idea that design is just a get-rich-quick scheme. I never meant this insultive definition to the profession.

I just think that with good guidance, you can maximize your learning curve. I am looking for this good guidance.


Thanks for your answer.

[Virgo Nightingale]

The industry's standard software program for creating logos would be Adobe Illustrator. You can use just about any vector based software, including Corel Draw, but Illustrator is the most popular.

[Galaad]

I do use Illustrator sometimes, but I like to do that on Photoshop. I will to change my focus on Illustrator, since vectorial designs are better to logos.

Thanks for the advice!

[PrintDriver]

I guess what I'm really trying to say is, a student shouldn't freelance directly out of school. Especially if they don't finish school. Freelancing is a business. It should be treated as such. You need a business plan, a little starting cash and most importantly a whole lot of skill in how to do things correctly quickly, not only in design but in business management. What you might make in instant cash you may lose in the hours you have to pour into figuring out workflows and cashflows.

As a freelancer, you don't just rake in cash for the bank. You have to deal with contracts, accounting, sales chasing, along with whatever your country has for taxes.

[Mackson]

I think its better for you that you will improve your web design skill from w3school. Even many professional and school teacher prefer this site to improve your web design skills.

[Galaad]

You're right. Being a designer is a profession not a hobby. But I don't see why someone can't get good in something (not only design) just because he didn't finished school.

If you do something you like, you do that with your heart. I am not saying you will be better than someone who has a formation, but a diploma does not means you are good or even prepared to run business.

I mean, if you like and get good formation, chances you become a really good professional are high, but and if you can't afford a regular school at the beginning? Will you beg someone to pay that for you?

It's not a rare fact someone begin to work with something they like, without a formation, and get really good at that. And about taxes and governmental issues, dunno where you live, but here there are agencies that you can contact them to take care of this part of your business.

And like I said before, I mean it to any profession, not only design (I don't see designers more or less important than other professionals).

One fact to proof my point: The creators of Youtube were kids. And I am pretty sure they were not programmers with a diploma to make what they made.

[Danish01]

I suggest you w3school for improve your web design skill.