Software/Web Developer to Graphic/Web designer

[jimioh]

Hi all,

I am currently a software/back end web developer, with a bit of front end exposure. I am quite sick of the technicality and dryness of programming, would like to spend less time in front of a computer, would like more creative work to do, and would like more interesting colleauges to work with!

I love art and music, and feel graphic design could be a good outlet for this. So I am wondering where to start, and what to focus on learning.

I currently am learning screen printing, and have a couple of small sites to build for people which will give me an opportunity to learn more front end design, and even try some graphic design. I may have an opportunity to do t-shirt design for a friends company as well.

These projects are quite daunting to me, as I have had no design training, so I would like to start self-teaching this to myself. What would people recommend? Also has anyone else changed careers from developer to designer?? Any advice?

[GrumpyKate]

Most of us are making the journey the other way I suspect. . .whilst keeping a firm hand on the creative bit. If you can get into any courses on learning Indesign or Illustrator. . . read books. . . join the forum. . . (well done!) If I was you I would start with webdesign and then go for it - at least you have a good skill set to fall back on!

[nicolanicola]

Hiya Jim. I'm doing a Multimedia course at Uni. It's primarily web development but there is one design module. I'm fine with the development side but do struggle a bit with design, so I know where you're coming from.

I'd suggest first getting Jim Krause's Design Basics Index, I find that really useful as it tells you rules about contrast, hierarchy, layout etc, that is hard to work out for yourself. Also a few people have recommended Robin Willliams Design Course. I got that for £3.00 from Amazon and so far it's proving to be really useful.