I have found myself losing so much confidence in
myself as a designer and my ability recently. There is some scary talent out
there; which I guess probably does not help that I compare myself to world, top
class designers, which can be motivating the majority of the time, but it also
can be quite off putting. When I look at the idea of success, I remember there
will always be something greater, which probably means I will go a lifetime
without ever being satisfied, and why I am so self-critical.
Would the most ideal designer have knowledge and skills of CSS, HTML, SEO, PR, Copywriting, and Photography? I am under the impression that just being able to design alone will not cut it? These have been a range of skill questions that have popped up for me whilst picking up freelance work. I must admit, I am not the most ‘techy’ person and have absolutely no knowledge in CSS at the moment, I am able to work with HTML to a point, and however I would not class this as a skill of mine.
It is certainly cheaper to hire someone that can be a Designer, Developer, Copywriter, SEO Specialist and Photographer.
Would the most ideal designer have knowledge and skills of CSS, HTML, SEO, PR, Copywriting, and Photography? I am under the impression that just being able to design alone will not cut it? These have been a range of skill questions that have popped up for me whilst picking up freelance work. I must admit, I am not the most ‘techy’ person and have absolutely no knowledge in CSS at the moment, I am able to work with HTML to a point, and however I would not class this as a skill of mine.
It is certainly cheaper to hire someone that can be a Designer, Developer, Copywriter, SEO Specialist and Photographer.
I do seem to be in
two minds at the moment about this.
Being a recent graduate, I find myself questioning why I was not taught any of
this throughout education, and I believe this can somewhat put some designers
off wanting to continue and have a career in this, or maybe it is just me
approaching the wrong kind of businesses.
With everything going digital, I believe it would be
beneficial for me to learn HTML and CSS, I also want to get my head around
Fireworks too, which I will do as part of my research project on my MA. I am intending to speak to someone
who specialises in SEO over the next couple of weeks, just to get more of a
basic understanding into this… otherwise, I intend to learn more one step at a
time.
A designer friend of mine before she got her new job was recently going to take up an internship in PR for a couple of weeks, which I thought was a fantastic idea and would have been great for the CV. I do enjoy writing; in fact I loved writing my dissertation, however copywriting is another skill.
I think it is definitely better to keep an open mind and want to learn more, there will be times when at least a basic understanding into these skills will be required.
A designer friend of mine before she got her new job was recently going to take up an internship in PR for a couple of weeks, which I thought was a fantastic idea and would have been great for the CV. I do enjoy writing; in fact I loved writing my dissertation, however copywriting is another skill.
I think it is definitely better to keep an open mind and want to learn more, there will be times when at least a basic understanding into these skills will be required.
There are many tutorials online, and books available. Lynda, which has been highly rated
and recommended to me by many designers, offers unlimited access to 1,605
professional video instructions for a month at $25 (£15.90). It is a great
offer in my opinion, especially considering we paid over £3000, or just over
£100 per 1 hour session in university. There is also a 7 day free trial, so if
you happen to have a week booked off and fancied getting your head down for a
few hours a day it will be worthwhile. This website also offers a free 7 day
Trial, however just remember to cancel your membership if you do not wish to
proceed and pay the £15.90 for a further month.
www.lynda.com