Des to Dev
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- hitsuji
I'm currently working as a web designer and I have a decent understanding of HTML and CSS but have always been a designer at heart. But over the passed few months I've considered making the transition to being a web developer.
I know designers need coding skills these days but I'd like to become a lot more focused on the technical side than I am.
I'm not stupid though, I know it's not just a matter of watching a couple of videos on Lynda.com or reading a book. I just wanted to get some feedback or advice off anyone who has made this move themselves or can just point me in the right direction.
- 20020
What type of dev do you want to be?
- nocomply0
You can totally do both! Follow your interests and what you love.
It's a crazy time right now for both web design and dev, as we're having to deal with websites being viewed on a large variety of different devices and settings.
I recommend getting a firm handle on HTML and CSS alone before moving on to JavaScript/jQuery or any type of server-side scripting language (like PHP). Knowing the basics and knowing them well will pay off big-time.
- hitsuji0
It might not sound like a remarkable leap but I was just thinking front end. A sound understanding of HTML, CSS and Javascript. It's a pitty I haven't been able to broaden my coding skills on the job but the agency I work at currently just throw everything to a dev agency. So I don't even get to see anything coming to life. I just do the odd bit of HTML and CSS for microsites and emails (which is almost driving me backwards to be honest).
- nocomply0
If you're really dedicated, then practice on your own time after hours and develop a few websites just for fun and experimentation. That will also help you get a gauge on how much you actually like the process and if it's something you could see yourself doing full-time (or at least as a large component of a full-time job).
The cool thing about this kind of work is that there's always new stuff to learn. It's frustrating, but it can also be fun and rewarding.
- i need a new job. i work overtime pretty much every day so i don't get a great deal of free timehitsuji
- fugged0
I did that move years ago. So glad I did too. nocomply pretty much hit it with what he said. Plus working as a front end developer you will still find you use your design chops quite a bit. Especially in smaller shops and start-ups.
- instrmntl0
i went from designer to developer. no regrets.
- mikotondria30
Get yer chops round a decent CMS, too, learn to write custom plugins for one or more of them, and your usefulness and worth to clients will expand no-end. Most of them are php that you can dip your toes into and get rolling with in like a weekend or so if you have a decent book and the knack for it.
- Good advice, but much easier said than done. I've been working with PHP for years but still can't write a plugin.nocomply
- hitsuji0
Cool. That's all I needed to hear really. I love design but I prefer non-commercial design, so I dont get quite the same kick out of it at work as I do in my spare time. But as with coding I could quite happily sit at work coding most of the day. I suppose that's the balance I need to strike.
I've just got to accept that i've got a lot of work ahead of me.
Cheers guys.
- Happily coding goes away when cross browser testing, and trying to implement plugins that conflict with each other. Not trying to be a downer haha.BabySnakes
- But don't let that stop you, it is how us Devs build comradery!BabySnakes