Graphic design to Web Dev. which way to go?

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iFan

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Hi Guys,

I am currently working as a graphic designer with 2 + years of professional design (bedroom design since a young age :) and have my diploma in multimedia design. I have always had a passion for technology and the more technical side of life and have recently considered moving into development and maybe more specifically web development.

I have dabbled a lot with static html sites, mailers, css, wordpress sites and various plugins etc, setting up a ticketing system (OS Ticket)etc. Basically anything a client requested I got tasked with sorting out, and thus have mainly built a lot of theme based ( but customised in terms of style) wordpress sites over the last few years, designed html mailers through tables, and made various changes to existing static sites.

I would like to move into development because I enjoy solving problems and don’t think I have the brightest future in graphic design as it isn’t all that interesting on a day to day basis and becomes very monotonous. Also most people say the money is better in development? Although this is not my main reason for the shift, but it does help in securing a brighter future.

What is the best route to take? Am I thinking clearly here? Any insights would be appreciated :) Thanks!
 
Try doing one of those free online coding courses.

Learning to code and coding is two very different things so after you've learnt the basics, try building mobile apps in your preferred language. JavaScript works across the board.

Lastly if you're happy, start a Bsc degree through UNISA.
 
Programming can be very monotonous too. Be careful about confusing web design with web "development"
 
zippy said:
Programming can be very monotonous too. Be careful about confusing web design with web "development"
Click to expand...

No man; its all bout the more pay and lets forget about everything else as this makes it all better :)
 
Look into User Experience (UX) as well if you have design skills. I find programmers/developers are good at making systems that perform functions but fall down when it comes to creating an attractive front end.
 
zippy said:
Programming can be very monotonous too. Be careful about confusing web design with web "development"
Click to expand...

Yeah I was wondering how much in this respect it can get monotonous. Look the reason I am interested in development is because I enjoy the technical side more. I have always been a hands on technical kind of person, and mixed with my interests in IT and technology I reckon this would gel well. Yes I can design, but I am probably not the most artsy fartsy person around, and thus don't see myself doing that for the rest of my life.

In previous jobs (Lighting designer/Sound Engineer, and then Diving instructor) it was always more technical work. I serviced regulators and such in the diving job besides just teaching. I have always loved a more technical side. In my current design field, I rather build a website than design a flyer. I just think making things pretty isn't the most fascinating thing for me.2

Necuno said:
No man; its all bout the more pay and lets forget about everything else as this makes it all better :)
Click to expand...

Yeah the money does help! But happiness is important too.

Fudzy said:
Look into User Experience (UX) as well if you have design skills. I find programmers/developers are good at making systems that perform functions but fall down when it comes to creating an attractive front end.
Click to expand...

Thats a valid point! I know there are a host of directions nowadays... UI/UX/GUI/ etc
 
iFan said:
Yeah I was wondering how much in this respect it can get monotonous. Look the reason I am interested in development is because I enjoy the technical side more. I have always been a hands on technical kind of person, and mixed with my interests in IT and technology I reckon this would gel well. Yes I can design, but I am probably not the most artsy fartsy person around, and thus don't see myself doing that for the rest of my life.

In previous jobs (Lighting designer/Sound Engineer, and then Diving instructor) it was always more technical work. I serviced regulators and such in the diving job besides just teaching. I have always loved a more technical side. In my current design field, I rather build a website than design a flyer. I just think making things pretty isn't the most fascinating thing for me.2



Yeah the money does help! But happiness is important too.



Thats a valid point! I know there are a host of directions nowadays... UI/UX/GUI/ etc
Click to expand...
It's a job just like any other. Has its moments. Whether it is rewarding(not talking about money), depends not only on the fact that it's computer programming, but also on where you work and who your colleagues are, the industry etc.
 
Interesting type of programming work + good colleagues + good salary for whiskey = good career :P
 
Look into front-end development. Its very suited towards creatives. You know all those cool award winning sites on awwwards and css awards? well that is what front end is all about.

The demand for front end devs is huge, especially at digital agencies and your experience in basic markup, css and design would be an advantage. If your html and css is solid, move onto javascript/jquery.
I wouldnt focus on any server side language at all, just purely javascript and javascript frameworks like AngularJS and Jquery.

I was a designer about 5 years ago and felt the exact same as you. Then i found front end development and I get to scratch that creative and tech itch of mine.
 
^^vampire^^ said:
Interesting type of programming work + good colleagues + good salary for whiskey = good career :P
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Haha as with everything :D

Murdoc said:
Look into front-end development. Its very suited towards creatives. You know all those cool award winning sites on awwwards and css awards? well that is what front end is all about.

The demand for front end devs is huge, especially at digital agencies and your experience in basic markup, css and design would be an advantage. If your html and css is solid, move onto javascript/jquery.
I wouldnt focus on any server side language at all, just purely javascript and javascript frameworks like AngularJS and Jquery.

I was a designer about 5 years ago and felt the exact same as you. Then i found front end development and I get to scratch that creative and tech itch of mine.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the solid advise! I have already started with javascript over the weekend, through code academy. I have really been enjoying it so far :)

My HTML and CSS does need some work though, I have done a variety of stuff in this, but a lot of changes (to css in wordpress sites) and a lot of mailers (html tables).
 
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