Bogged Down in Detail

A common career option is website design. But it's not just about writing HTML code, there's a process to follow. Many aspiring website designers don't understand how it all fits together. Many try online video tutorials which aim to teach HTML and CSS but fail to see the bigger picture. Those with great ambition still need guidance. Don't jump straight into a large scale websites like many aspiring web designers and programmers want to do. Chill a bit and begin small. Then scale up. This will increase your chances of success.

There are more web design from coding. A top-down view design should also be taken. So next time you're creating web design video tutorials you because you do not miss some of the details and see how it fits together in context?

When I first started out I found the little programming tutorials to only be of use when trying to muddle through a proper project with a deadline - having a purpose in mind helps you learn. I used to start a project then do the tutorials or grab a reference book. It wasn't that I didn't know the scripting and programming languages. I just didn't want to keep such detail in my mind. The bigger picture is key. In my experience you must apply what you've learned to a project before the knowledge really starts to stick.

So what is a web design process? Well, let's dive in at the deep end and see if we sink or swim. Say we have a client who requires a brochure style website. Where do we start? First we need to learn about the client's business. Only then can we find a technical solution to fit it. That's the requirements stage.

Next is the design. The website design is known as an information architecture - like an architect drawing up plans for a new house. Then comes the coding or scripting. The testing phase, and finally delivery to the customer. This is an iterative approach as certain phases of the website design process to be repeated.

The new website design tips

• Follow a design process
• Practice makes perfect
• Keep at it
• If at first you don't succeed, try try again
• Learn from experienced website designers

Remember: the top-down view can prevent you from getting bogged down in detail.