Fri
25Random Observations: January
I was browsing Krop earlier in search of web design gigs, and it’s amazing to me what some of these people are willing to pay for things I could do in my sleep. I’ve been designing for a decade so I guess that’s partly to do with it, but even if I had no experience in it, all it takes is a visit to websites like Tutorialtastic to get you well on your way.
People are impatient by nature. This is why web designers have jobs. If people weren’t impatient, they’d google the necessary information needed to develop their own websites. Even though I’ve been designing for as long as I have, I consider the past year or so to be the timeframe I learned most in. This is only because I actually sat down and had the patience to dig through complex PHP tutorials and follow through until I got the results I wanted. Like with anything, determination and motivation to complete a task are much more powerful than raw knowledge. I could know the definition to every PHP term, but what would it be worth if I knew the definition of Array or what a String is used for if I never tested them out to see what they actually mean and do?
As little as a year ago, I never would have though I’d be able to draw a simple free form illustration. Now I fly through things as if the pen tool was one of my appendages. This isn’t because I’m some amazing whiz at Illustrator, far from it in fact. I just have the knowledge that I suck and wish to improve, the motivation to keep practicing, and the sense to use things like google to my advantage.
I find it hilarious that people spend thousands of dollars on HTML and PHP books and classes when all the information you need is available (for free) at your fingertips.
(I added a new cateogry, in which I’ll be writing my little observations each month on a variety of topics. I lead a gripping life, dudes. Shhh.)