After stumbling on your post I was wondering – where would a complete beginner start? Let me elaborate – I’m a (graduated) full-time web developer, as in I’m more of a programmer than a designer. Lately however, I’ve been thinking of making the switch to design. Thing is, I have had no real training or education on subjects like “design principles” or how to make things aesthetically pleasing.

So in your opinion, where would one in such a situation start? I keep track of several blogs and forums, but its just not enough; I see this when in my designs which lacks any kind of visual structure for example.

Thanks

I would add one point to your article and that is be flexible. Be willing to change your design perspective. Just because a design works once doesn’t mean it will work everytime. Be willing to shake things up and go out on a limb once and awhile.

LB

My point was more this – whichever way you decide to go about becoming a web designer, here are three things that will help you as you go.

While I agree that reading, listening and practicing can help you in just about any profession, I don’t think that there are many professions out there that require little else. I certainly couldn’t become a doctor if all I did was read about it, attend conferences and practice on my friends. I would need education and certification. That may be an extreme example, but there are many other examples (Real Estate Agent, Architect, Insurance Underwriter, Interior Designer, etc.) Heck, you can’t even become a [viable] project manager without some sort of certification.

And no worries – I didn’t take your comments as harsh. Thanks for participating in the conversation. I hope I was able to make my points somewhat more clear. Take luck.

While your points are certainly true, I feel they can somewhat be applied to about any profession out there.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not flaming, I agree 100% with you, but I can’t help wondering if there isn’t “something more concrete”, sort of like a “plan” if you can box it like that. While this is certainly vague (and ironic), I think that’s also the reason that the 10,000 lists of X about Y you see going around on smashingmagazine or net-tuts: It fills in the gap, the magic touch, the lack of “that’s it!” that articles such as these describe. It basically says “do this and you’ll win”, although it could perhaps be lazyness of the person himself in the sense that (s)he doesn’t have to find out the “winning recipe” anymore.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this.