can a non designer become a real good designer?

Outsourcing designers is a bit tough because they're not usually that great. You get what you pay for. However, if it were vice versa, outsourcing programmers are easier because the programming is either right or wrong. Designing is more complex..

 

Just put your mind to it, and you'll learn. Trust me. If a 7yo can learn photoshop, then you sure as hell can!

 

Of course anyone can learn Photoshop (atleast the basics). However, it's very very very rare that 7 year old's can become good designers

 

You have to go for any course or tutorials.

 

thanks everyone and especially deathrow for a very useful and great encouragement. Appreciate that.

Ps: I understand hex and understand what you were saying.

One last thing: I still can't figure out how to separate the coding and presentation i.e. i still needt to learn how to create a templating ssystem i.e. to create a skinable website such as wordpress. Any idea where can i learn such thing? I've tried google but it doesn't give me answer right away,

so if anyone know where , i would appreciate the link.
toby

 

I suggest going to tutorial sites and following tutorials.. that way, you learn the program better and how it works... from there you can branch off and make your own stuff.

 

Video tutorials are usually the most helpful, btw. I'm working on a few atm actually, lol.

 

Practice makes perfect. Just practice.

 

Hey, Toby. Just an opinion...

If you want to truly succeed in a trade, it’s best to specialize. Designing and programming are two completely different abilities. If you’ve got the talent and attributes to naturally excel in programming, you should invest the bulk of your efforts and time into that line of work. Focus on your niche; you’ll become well-versed, get on the leading edge, rise to the top, become established, earn top dollar and lead a satisfying career. Try to be all things to all people and you’ll produce mediocre work and attract comparable clients.

The best websites involve specialists in web copywriting, design and programming. It’s no coincidence. A great designer can’t necessarily become a great programmer and vice-verse. It comes down to recognizing what you’re good at.

I went to school with a good friend who was a talented artist. As I sat beside him in art class creating average drawings, he crafted stunning works. He had a natural ability in this trade. I didn’t. He went on to hone his skills and is now a renowned artist who designs stamps and coins for Canada. Had I spent countless hours drawing, I’d still be an average artist at best.

If you leverage your raw talents and passion, you’ll get farther ahead, faster.

FYI, this topic runs along the lines of an article I wrote some weeks back on delegating, in case you’re interested. I'm not able to include links at this point, but you can Google "Delegate or die: 6 steps for business growth."

 

thank rick for your insight information. Real appreciate that.

after google i found>> http://money.netscape.com/story/2007/07/20/delegate-or-die-6-steps-for-business-growth

toby

 

I agree with Rick. Although I don't think photoshop skills and 'artistic ability' have to go hand in hand, if art/graphics aren't your thing then don't bother. Or rather if you wouldn't learn it just for fun, then just learn enough to know whats good and what isn't.

On a side note, I went to college for computer science and i've been learning programming in multiple languages for going on 10 years now... Sadly, I couldn't program if my life depended on it. However I have a talent for art and can easily pick things up because I'm adept at it.

Seems like stating the obvious I suppose, but just saying even if you spend years on graphic design you may not be as good as someone who has only done it for a short time. I think Rick's idea is good.

 

Yup, it's good to know enough to recognize good design and bad design. Also, there's less chances of someone pulling one over on you. Hoewever, I totally agree it's smart to focus on your strengths instead of being a jack of all trades.

 

Yeah I am fifteen and I am an ok designer.
Just look up tutorials and then the rest will just come nicely.

 

My pleasure, Toby. Another article that might be of interest is called The need to delegate: one year and belly up. Additionally, I read a neat article by former BC Lions player Jamie Taras talking about the importance of goals. Cheers!

 

Toby, the idea of content and presentation being seperate is pretty clear on the html/design forums right here. There are plenty of websites that show how to do the one and then the other. Photoshop (or better Gimp) makes pretty things, sure, but people can make beautiful websites and with html (content) and css (presentation) just use something like Picassa or even MS Paint fer Pete'ssake to do minimal image manipulation (you've got the images you want on the site, resize them or flip them or whateverr and then use CSS to stick it where you want on the page).

Photoshop is not a necessity. It's just nice. About $400 nice. Decide what you want/need to do with images first, then see if you need fancy image software.

I draw my basic webpages on a pad of lined paper with a pen, and write notes around my little boxes saying, mouse does this, certain image there, logo here, this color, blah blah. This is AFTER the company gives me a list of what they want and need on the site (content).

Also, w3schools.com