[jairic]

I've just completed my AAS in Network Administration, and that's cool but I'm not really into it. My College (Rasmussen) has a Web Design degree as well, and all of my credits would transfer to that, so it would only be two semesters or so before I was done instead of another two years. I've done some Web stuff at work and really enjoy it, but before I commit to the Web Design program I just wanted to get some input from guys working in that field. What's it really like? Does your job require any hand drawing (would be a no can do for me), do you have to have computer graphics skill? Basically anything you can tell me I'd greatly appreciate it. Of course I'll do research on my own, but I'd like to hear it straight from the source as much as possible. My biggest concern is that I'll have to have some art skill to do it. Thanks for reading and any input anyone can provide.

[Mak213]

It all depends really. Some jobs may be required that you do some graphical work to get the job done. Some may not. Some may have a dedicated person or group that will do the graphical work while you just do the coding.

So it really depends on where you work, what the agreement is between you and the client on the specific job, and stuff like that.

So really you could get a job doing web sites with just code, but you will make less money per job since you have to contract out part of the job to another source for the graphical part.

If you had some graphical knowledge it could most definately benefit you as it would make things a lot easier for you in the long run. You could create the images, name them what you want and be able to get the coding done easily.

With having to contract out the graphical work you will have to wait for that to be done before you can get the coding complete so that you have the proper names for the graphics that will appear on the page. Sure you could just rename them easily but that will still take time away from getting the job done properly.

It also depends on if Flash and/or Silverlight will be used as well. As that is also a part of this stuff too now.

This is not coming from someone who works in the field. I am not a web designer but i do know this having done several websites in the past. Even with my limited knowledge, i can say that being able to do graphics for yourself does make it easier than having to try to find someone to do it for you.

[jairic]

Thanks for the reply Mak; I definitely respect anything you say. The only reason I'm not nuts about the graphical stuff is because I have a disease which causes me to shake ever so slightly, not even to the extent that someone could really tell, but it affects my hand writing and I can't draw well to save my life. I think that I could learn to handle using a mouse to be artistic though. I don't know, given that information if someone were to tell me that the shaking is a problem I'd just stick with the Network Admin business. Thanks again for the reply!

[Mak213]

Well you might still be able to do it. Most of the graphic work is done on the PC with things like Photoshop in which you can go back or undo the previous step in case you do make a mistake. As such you may be able to do some minor graphical work.

I can tell you from personal experience, my hand is not the steadiest thing in the world. I have messed up working on images more times that i can even count. I just undo what i did and try again. Yeah it may take me more time, but in the end i still end up with the image i want and it feels great to have done it myself.

The best thing that can be said, get something like GIMP or Paint.NET and try. There are tutorials all over the net for these applications and at worst you find out that you cant do it or dont have the patience for it. The flip side is you may find that you can do it and actually enjoy it.

Like i said it may take more time to get the same thing done as someone with a more steady hand, but it isnt impossible. If it doesnt work, at least you can say you tried.

[jairic]

Well, I was able to modify some pictures with some interesting stuff with paint.net and I had a ton of fun doing it. However, when it came to creating my own shapes and pictures and things like that (Starting with a blank canvas) I couldn't do anything. I'm guessing that indicates that this is a no go. I'm struggling between going back to school for a year and a month to acquire the associates in this field and risk having wasted all of that time (I feel like I've wasted the last two years already), so I'll have to think about it, but I'm leaning towards just not having the skill to create the images necessary. I appreciate the help Mak, thanks.