Four questions from a newbie interested in a web design career.. i'm really
interested in this career, appreciate your help.

1)  In a design firm:  who designs the page?  Is it a team effort? How many
work on a site?  At what position/experience level would you begin to do
some major design work on your own?

2)  Are most web designers graphic artists also; do they also create the
graphics and collages and textures, or do they just get other people do to
them?

3) What is the salary like throughout the experience range for an employed
web designer at a firm -- say in a big city like New York?

4)  How does the salary compare with the architecture profession at similar
experience levels--i'm asking this because i'm also interested in
architecture, yet i'm scared by their whining about how little money they
earn, and i don't want to be poor.

thanks
aqua

and to follow up:

On average, What could i expect to be earning within 10 years experience
working for a large firm in a big city? i.e. R/GA?
What about education?  graphic design or multimedia degree?  Computer
science?

thanks
aqua

"Peter Connolly" <noemailrequired@nospamrequired.com> wrote in message
news:btvi38$nr7$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk...
quote:

> aquablue wrote: 
>
> Depends on the size of the firm. In the larger firms, you'll *never* do
> major design work on your own - you'll always be working in teams. In
> smaller firms, you'll do it all, and make the tea as well.
> 
>
> Depends on the firm, the client, the designer and the budget. Every job is
> different, and the more skills you have, the more likely you are to find
> work.
>
> 
>
> Can be Very Low - for someone straight out of college, without a portfolio
> and qualified as little more than a HTML coder. Can also be Very High - if
> the designer also owns the firm. Just like any other company in the world.
>
> 
>
> Ask in the Architecture newsgroups - but you'll get a similar answer as

that
quote:

> given to question 3.
> 
>
> Now I think we're getting to it. I don't know any designers who came into
> the job for the money. If you really, *really* want to be a web designer,
> you won't have to ask these questions; you'll already be working on a
> portfolio, and getting out there and meeting people.  If you're good at

web
quote:

> design and also good at selling yourself, the money will come; judging by
> the quality of some sites on the web, salesmanship often counts for more
> than web design ability.
>
> You might think that a college course in web design would be useful, but a
> good portfolio is worth so much more.
>
> HTH,
>
> Pete.
> --
>
> Peter Connolly | Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver MX Developer
> http://www.acutecomputing.co.uk
> Derby
> UK
>
>
>

Aqua,



Peter's advice is right on--especially his last remark about networking and
getting together a polished portfolio.



I'd like to add that those who succeed are the ones that have great passion
for what they do regardless of what it is because they typically are the
ones that rise to the top of their field.



Your question is understandable and I'd like to share my experience along
the same lines. After graduation from college I was fortunate enough to
enter the industry I had studied with a large company. It was and is a
well-known company that employs a lot of creative and intelligent people.



Whenever I heard about someone retiring I would seek him or her out and ask,
"What advice would you give someone starting out in this business?" Although
the answers were worded different their sentiment did not vary. The advice
given by each and every person was, "Do what you enjoy and not for money,
because if you do it for money you will pay for it in family and health."



I've lived by that advice and over the years have found it to be true. I
love what I do and don't suffer the physical ailments that stress has
brought to so many of my friends who are doing something that brings no joy
beyond a paycheck.



Richard





"aquablue" <lucky200@erols.com> wrote in message
news:40035216$0$6750$61fed72c@news.rcn.com...
quote:

> and to follow up:
>
> On average, What could i expect to be earning within 10 years experience
> working for a large firm in a big city? i.e. R/GA?
> What about education?  graphic design or multimedia degree?  Computer
> science?
>
> thanks
> aqua
>
> "Peter Connolly" <noemailrequired@nospamrequired.com> wrote in message
> news:btvi38$nr7$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk... 
is[QUOTE] 
portfolio[QUOTE] 
if[QUOTE] 
world.[QUOTE] 
> that 
into[QUOTE] 
designer,[QUOTE] 
> web 
by[QUOTE] 
a[QUOTE] 
>
>

anybody up for my last questions?
thx

"Storyman" <mystoryman@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:5zJMb.7227$zj7.6274@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
quote:

> Aqua,
>
>
>
> Peter's advice is right on--especially his last remark about networking

and
quote:

> getting together a polished portfolio.
>
>
>
> I'd like to add that those who succeed are the ones that have great

passion
quote:

> for what they do regardless of what it is because they typically are the
> ones that rise to the top of their field.
>
>
>
> Your question is understandable and I'd like to share my experience along
> the same lines. After graduation from college I was fortunate enough to
> enter the industry I had studied with a large company. It was and is a
> well-known company that employs a lot of creative and intelligent people.
>
>
>
> Whenever I heard about someone retiring I would seek him or her out and

ask,
quote:

> "What advice would you give someone starting out in this business?"

Although
quote:

> the answers were worded different their sentiment did not vary. The advice
> given by each and every person was, "Do what you enjoy and not for money,
> because if you do it for money you will pay for it in family and health."
>
>
>
> I've lived by that advice and over the years have found it to be true. I
> love what I do and don't suffer the physical ailments that stress has
> brought to so many of my friends who are doing something that brings no

joy
quote:

> beyond a paycheck.
>
>
>
> Richard
>
>
>
>
>
> "aquablue" <lucky200@erols.com> wrote in message
> news:40035216$0$6750$61fed72c@news.rcn.com... 
you[QUOTE] 
do[QUOTE] 
job[QUOTE]
> is 
find[QUOTE] 
> portfolio 
High -[QUOTE]
> if 
> world. 
how[QUOTE] 
as[QUOTE] 
> into 
> designer, 
at[QUOTE] 
> by 
more[QUOTE] 
but[QUOTE]
> a 
>
>

Starting $100k to around $165k yr. for the larger companies. No less than
$85k with a small to non-existent portfolio. Most web designers who work for
large firms and have a few years experience will easily shake out in the
neighborhood $145k. A realistic starting wage will get you around $90k.


I know, it nots much. Insist on full(medical, dental, vision etc.) free
medical plan with no deductable for you and your family. 3 weeks paid
vacation in the first year. etc.etc.

Tom
"aquablue" <lucky200@erols.com> wrote in message
news:40036ea5$0$6741$61fed72c@news.rcn.com...
quote:

> anybody up for my last questions?
> thx
>
> "Storyman" <mystoryman@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:5zJMb.7227$zj7.6274@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net... 
> and 
> passion 
along[QUOTE] 
people.[QUOTE] 
> ask, 
> Although 
advice[QUOTE] 
money,[QUOTE] 
health."[QUOTE] 
> joy 
experience[QUOTE] 
i'm[QUOTE] 
> you 
> do 
In[QUOTE] 
create[QUOTE] 
> job 
> find 
York?[QUOTE] 
> High - 
at[QUOTE] 
> how 
> as 
a[QUOTE] 
> at 
judging[QUOTE] 
> more 
> but 
>
>

aquablue wrote:
quote:

> and to follow up:
>
> On average, What could i expect to be earning within 10 years
> experience working for a large firm in a big city? i.e. R/GA?
> What about education?  graphic design or multimedia degree?  Computer
> science?


Can't answer the money question because I'm not in America, but you've had
some good answers on that; especially Richards comment about doing what you
love, not what brings in the money. Of course, when you're starting out it's
natural to concentrate on the pay-check only.

As to education....I do suggest that one is required, but thats about it. I
have a degree in Computer Science, which although very valuable over the
years, means absolutely zip in the world of web design. You need a flair for
graphic design, but a piece of paper from a univeristy is not the best way
to show that. My belief (as an employee and an employer) is that a degree
and/or a portfolio looks good on a CV. But all a CV can do is get you an
interview; the rest is up to you.


HTH,

Pete.
--

Peter Connolly | Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver MX Developer
http://www.acutecomputing.co.uk
Derby
UK

you expect you'll GET 10 years exp in web design? things are changing so
fast, there's likely to be no such thing by then......


quote:

>
> On average, What could i expect to be earning within 10 years experience
> working for a large firm in a big city? i.e. R/GA?
> What about education?  graphic design or multimedia degree?  Computer
> science?
>
> thanks
>

Tom, thats sounds really high -- 90,000 starting salary out of school?
You're talking about NYC?  Wowzer.  Can you give me a list of some good
companies. thanx
aqua


"Tom Dearst" <petytyt@TRASHpacbell.net> wrote in message
news:PmOMb.160$gs5.150@newssvr29.news.prodigy.com...
quote:

> Starting $100k to around $165k yr. for the larger companies. No less than
> $85k with a small to non-existent portfolio. Most web designers who work

for
quote:

> large firms and have a few years experience will easily shake out in the
> neighborhood $145k. A realistic starting wage will get you around $90k.
>
>
> I know, it nots much. Insist on full(medical, dental, vision etc.) free
> medical plan with no deductable for you and your family. 3 weeks paid
> vacation in the first year. etc.etc.
>
> Tom
> "aquablue" <lucky200@erols.com> wrote in message
> news:40036ea5$0$6741$61fed72c@news.rcn.com... 
networking[QUOTE] 
the[QUOTE] 
> along 
to[QUOTE] 
> people. 
and[QUOTE] 
> advice 
> money, 
> health." 
I[QUOTE] 
no[QUOTE] 
> experience 
Computer[QUOTE] 
message[QUOTE] 
> i'm 
effort?[QUOTE] 
would[QUOTE] 
*never*[QUOTE] 
> In 
> create 
other[QUOTE] 
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to[QUOTE] 
an[QUOTE] 
> York? 
the[QUOTE] 
> at 
about[QUOTE] 
answer[QUOTE] 
came[QUOTE] 
on[QUOTE]
> a 
good[QUOTE] 
> judging 
for[QUOTE] 
useful,[QUOTE] 
>
>