Is it possible for a fairly experienced Java Developer to transition to being a Web Developer and then to Web Designer. I guess what I’m asking is – assume you have (Java) developer of above average aptitute – is it possible for that developer to acquire web development skills that will enable him/her to develop small business websites without the need to hire outside skills.
If so, where does one start on the path to becoming a Web Developer/Designer?
Skills required?
Tools used?
Is it possible for a fairly experienced Java Developer to transition to being a
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Most web designers that I’ve met do not have a background in development at all. They possess a combination of aesthetic talent and an understanding of the HCI/usability side of website design.
They have some knowledge of what is possible of the development side or what the costs would be, but they usually don’t do it themselves. A lot of studios have both designers and developers.
I personally believe that programming skills and design skills are not something that one can acquire, one has to have an aptitude and natural talent for each. It is possible to learn, but one wouldn’t be as effective in it as a “natural”. I freely admit, for example, that I do not have the aesthetic talent for good website design. Heck, my wife would argue that I don’t have the aesthetic talent to dress myself nicely 🙂 But if you have it, why not?
Beyond that, I would say that every developer should probably learn some of the state-of-the-art knowledge on ui or website design, or at least read a usability book. Jakob Nielsen writes some very good books on that topic.
A transition from non-web development to web development is generally easier, though you may have to learn a bunch of new APIs and possibly languages. For instance, I’m rusty on JSP and J2EE, and haven’t learned any of the frameworks for the past 5-10 years.