Using Layers on Web Pages

On the note of formal education, I would say it has advantages. I am trained for network management. Since starting my business, I may never use officially use that education, and I have never yet formally worked as a network admin, but it has given me a serious advantage as a web designer.

With what I now know, I think a decent understanding of networking should be required for web design. After all, the web is really just one huge network that operates on the exact same principles as a Local Area Network (LAN). It would do web designers well to understand it.

I also agree that learning Flash is helpful, but not necessary. If you do learn Flash, you need to be careful not to overuse it. Flash requires a lot of time to learn well, and most Flash development is very time consuming. When you invest all that time and energy, you might be tempted to use it just because you can, or because you feel like you need to because you spent so much time learning it. Don't let Flash hinder your ability to know what's best for the client.

I also agree that Photoshop rocks. It is the only Adobe program I actually like, but I would also recommend a copy of Fireworks before Adobe puts their own spin on it with the next version. Work with both so you get familiar with the differences. Each one has some things it does better.

[handittome]

Originally Posted by cbscreative

On the note of formal education, I would say it has advantages.

I may go that route, but for now I’m stubbornly sticking with self-teaching. This way I can learn what I deem to be important without all the red tape and expense of formal schooling.

Originally Posted by cbscreative

I also agree that learning Flash is helpful, but not necessary. If you do learn Flash, you need to be careful not to overuse it.

Doesn’t flash slow page loading especially with dial-up?

Originally Posted by cbscreative

I also agree that Photoshop rocks. It is the only Adobe program I actually like, but I would also recommend a copy of Fireworks before Adobe puts their own spin on it with the next version. Work with both so you get familiar with the differences. Each one has some things it does better.

I’ve been using Photoshop for several months now. I’m making good use of it by editing photos for my family, friends, and neighbors. They really like the effects I add to the photos. I’m planning to offer photo editing when I get my graphic design site going.

Speaking of which, I found it strange that I couldn’t get good advice in this forum as to how to design that site. All I heard was “read this book” and “consult a designer” and other vague comments. I suppose design is so much less objective than the technical aspects of web development. Nobody wanted to stick his neck out only to have other members scream, “That stinks!”

Jagella

Originally Posted by Jagella

Doesn’t flash slow page loading especially with dial-up?

Often, yes. But there are situations where Flash can reduce file size because it's vector instead of bitmap. If you create your elements in the Flash program and not use imported bitmaps, you can produce very small files. The details are a class session worth of training and there are still other considerations, but Flash can be lean. For the most part though, Flash is not for dialup users.

I agree. I think most of the time Flash will slow things down, but if you know what you're doing and in the right situations it can be fine. Of course those vector images would still be smaller when not having to move around.

Steve's right though in that Flash can be used effectively and can add something to a site. It's still not the first thing I would learn, but something worth exploring.