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Yesterday I went to the Scottish Webteams forum and realised for the first time I am now a web designer. I have never felt comfortable calling myself this as I am not a graphic designer and while I do have some artistic abilities I never felt they measure up to the mighty title.

However, it is slowly dawning on me the designer part has little to do with graphic design. Being a designer is about understanding a process that produces a quality product.

For web design the graphic elements are a small but important part of this process. To produce a great website you have to take in areas such as user experience, information architecture, front-end development (XHTML/CSS), accessibility, and the list goes on.

So today, Wednesday 10th October, I declare I am a Web Designer. I can design and produce a quality website.

I still have loads to learn but then I'm sure even Jeffrey Zeldman feels like that at times.

Labels: thoughts, web design

...loads has happened since my last post (has that really been over two months?!).

I am now a full month in my new job. After initial uncertainty, all the pieces are now starting to fall into place. I have spent the last week, working with the team to produce a set of requirements for the redesign of the council’s website. It’s still early days, however, it has the potential to be great and I am learning loads as we go.

I have also spent considerable time redesigning the Clyde Valley Community Church website for a special campaign they’re doing. I am really happy with the results. After years of feeling like a web design wannabe, I am now realising my dream of being a full time web professional.

The only negative is the college course not working out. However, this is very minor compared to everything else.

Labels: thoughts

So here we are at the start of something new … for a couple of years now, I’ve been learning website design and have created a couple of sites.

Now in the summer of 2007 things are taking a step up. After 15+ years in IT infrastructure support, I have accepted a new job in a dedicated web team. This team will be responsible for various aspects of information management including the organisation’s website and intranet.

At the same time, I am looking into going back to college to study web development. This will be a two year, part-time course which will involve me still doing a full working week.

As if that wasn’t enough, I’m launching this website to help establish me in the freelance market. In addition to developing my employer’s large website, I’d like to do some work on smaller, more cutting edge sites where I can develop my design skills.

It is an exciting time that is filled with hopes AND fears. Along the way, I’ll use this blog to share my experiences … good and bad. Maybe in another 15 years I’ll be able to look back and see how it all started.

Labels: thoughts