Matt's topic (here) got me thinking. Especially since webdesigner got the most votes even though the poll is new.

Really what do you think it takes for one to be able to call themself and actual web or graphic designer?

Do you think that to actually be a webdesigner you should be designing actual websites rather than sites like myspace, lj, and xanga?

Does just because you can open photoshop and come up with something that some people like mean you are a graphic designer?

Opinions?

(This is not meant to be offensive to anyone , just to spark your thoughts. )

I personally think that for someone to call himself an official web designer, he must have: a) proper, neat coding, b) the ability to create graphics that the general public really likes, and c) the ability to handle and make good use of constructive criticism he is given.

And I think that's it.

They should be able to design all various kinds of websites, not just MySpace or LJ, but regular ones too. Their designs should look professional and..mature, I guess? They should also have not only HTML skills but graphic skills as well, Photoshop or PSP or whatever it may be.

If you can do something that's fairly decent on PS or so, then that's not what I would call "professional" but a good start, if people enjoy your work.

I think as a designer you should know how to design well and how to organize your layout, neat coding, and know how to fixes things. Some peoples just whip something up on PS and call themselves a designer, i call them lazy idiots. Designers need to have patient and actually take their time when they're designing. Also when it come to criticism, a designer would know how to take it! and USE IT! instead of goin AGAINST it. and also they would know how to GIVE criticism instead just "omg that's soo kute i love it!" or "it's soo beautiifull!" Someone who's good in designing would actually see flaws in a design.

But. it's just opinion. please do not take it to the heart -______-

well i guess its difficult because most people can design both xanga,myspace,LJ ect. as well as websites. I guess you would have to be good at graphics and decent in html but what it really takes is making something that the public you are creating it for will actually want to and be able use. It's great when people make amazing things but if the codes are to complicated for your audience to use then it is really pointless. Adding on to what trancie said you need to be able to take critism (which i had a very hard time with) but eventually you realize it's nothing agenst you as a person they are just trying to help.

thats my 2 cents

(Assuming everything is original:) If you can collaborate HTML knowledge and graphics and have everything like how it's supposed to, aligned and all that, you're a web designer in my book.

agreed. i don't think that you have to make layouts left and right to be considered a web designer. you just have to be able to understand and interpret html and be able to work with it and align everything properly. basically, the same as what archie said.

well to be able to learn to code neat organized layouts for websites, and other popular profile/blog sites while still keeping things organized works outs well when you want to take these "skills" to REALLY become a webdesigner (degree)
I mean you have to start somewhere and to be able to code layouts you learn more and more and that step to becoming a web designer comes closer. so to title your self as one you at least need to be able to code for multiple sites like the ever soo popular profile/blog sites along with websites

as for Graphic design wipping out junk and calling your self a graphic designer makes all that look good, bad... to even title your self as one the graphics you produce shouldn't consist of only brushes (swirls) and other common techniques. The graphics you produce should show what you can do, how much time and effort you spent on a picture shows how well you work with photoshop or other photo editing programs.
To able to use such skills into layouts (making multiple images) is one good way to show your talents (and i don't mean jocking because no thought effort is put into anything when stealing)

They NEED to have neat coding, I agree with The Markster. It really bothers me when I look on my little HTML validator in FF and I see near 100 errors.

And it's just little things like

GOD that bothers me. I forgot what it's called when the tags are closed in the same fashion in which they are opened, but when I see that, it's just careless.

Also they need not be experts at a graphics program, if they can pull it off. There are thousands of graphic-less or short of graphics sites out there and they are amazing. It's all a matter of coding well and coding with style.


Also, myspace and LJ designers could be considered webdesigners, if you wish to be technical, but in my opinion: REAL domains (or even subdomains) with REAL coding and a content of their own are WEBSITES and the creators webdesigners.

i dont really agree with any of the responses so far.

It's subjective. If the person in question THINKS they're a designer, and aspires to grow in that field, I think that pretty much makes them a designer.

It's having the ability to make something out of nothing, and truly be able to call it your own idea.

i mean if u code and make designs and all that for your website i guess ur an web designer
but i mean if they just normally open up photoshop and make sum outta nun and alot of people like it your a designer not a web desinger