How much coding experience does a web designer need?
December 22nd, 2011 by Mike Locke  |  11 Comments »    

In this video I touch on the topic of web development (coding) and web design (UI visual design). How much coding experience do you need as a web designer?

11 Comments

    Ole Andreas Jørnsen Herland    
    December 22nd, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Really interesting topic. It almost feel like you were talking to me. Because I find myself in that very position where I just can’t seem to figure out what I like more. UI/UX Design or Coding/WebDev. I love them both!

    Mike Locke    
    December 22nd, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    I know, a lot of folks have that problem, loving them both. I realized as I became more interested in business that UI Design was the way to go. I could perfect my UI Design skills and focus more on Internet Marketing for business purposes. And when/if I needed additional Web Dev knowledge, I could always partner with someone and/or use 3rd party services.

    Angela    
    December 22nd, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    Thank you so much for this video. I’m hoping to go freelance very soon and this clears up some of my worries. I can focus on what matters and that is the user :)

    David Lopez    
    December 23rd, 2011 at 8:20 am

    Hi Mike, first of all thanks for this video. Now, I was thinking about what you said and I know that I would enjoy more working as an UI designer but, what sources would you recommend me look up, to get a grasp of the basic Technic behind the web UI design.

    Because I find plenty of documentation for coding and programming, but very little of web UI desing.

    Thank you.

    Charlie    
    December 23rd, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    @David Lopez

    I’m not sure if you have yet or not, but I would suggest signing up for Mike’s Web Training program. I’ve been following that for the past couple weeks, and I am still learning new tips everyday in web design, especially using Adobe Fireworks. Better than all the random tutorials I’ve seen. It takes you from step A all the way through Z. Trust me!!!! (and no, I don’t work for Mike nor am I an affiliate or anything of that sort, just a happy customer)

    ~ Charlie K.

    Hady    
    December 24th, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    great video mike as usual thank you as always i wanna do – i had accident but i follow your blog – and congratulation for your course – wish the best for you like you do for us ..

    Elliot Obeng    
    December 24th, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    Hey Mike, Great advice, I was just thinking about that particular topic. I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I have the basic coding skills but I think I’ll attempt to learn all aspects of UI Design rather than do both.

    Thanks
    Elliot

    Bryan Waldron    
    December 27th, 2011 at 9:59 am

    Great advice. I am diving into freelancing as a part time job and find myself trying to learn everything. HTML, CSS, PHP, WordPress,ect. I have left javascript behind and rely on jquery and onlinee tutorials. I guess I need to focus more on UI design.

    I want to do more with WordPress theme development and just started learning PHP. Should I continue to learn php? I want to learn just the basics to help me with wordpress development.

    Also, is it important to learn web design for mobile formats?

    Thanks
    Bryan

    Mike Locke    
    December 27th, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    @Bryan, learning PHP isn’t required to master the skill of wordpress theme design. It would be helpful, but not required. For instance I can tweak wordpress to some extent and I don’t know PHP and have no desire to learn it. The reason is that if you try to learn programming language, then you’re missing out on perfecting your UI/Web Design skills. And yes, it is important to learn to design for mobile devices. I will be covering this in the near future in my training course. I’ll be coming out with videos on helpful tips for designing on mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad.

    Bryan    
    December 29th, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    @Mike and everyone else. What about html5 and CSS3. How important is it to have a good understanding of these right now?

    Kevin Johnson    
    December 1st, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    I need you to fix your billing order … make it so that I can pay through paypal directly … I had a website up where when you click purchase they take you right to your paypal page and all I have to do is sign in and the $89.00 would be seen as my purchase.I want to buy your videos .. but I’m not going to fill in all my information if I already filled all that in within paypal .. just fix the paypal link so it can go straight to paypal please. Thanks.

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