Web Designer Becoming Web Developer

Yes, the title caption is true! I am becoming a Web Developer.

I have been designing and managing websites in one form or another since 1997. However - I have been primarily a "Web Designer" - specializing in HTML, CSS and some occasional JavaScript. I have been intensely involved with mastering Adobe Photoshop and Flash. I know Dreamweaver like the back of my hand.

However - I've never really felt "satisfied" with my skills. I always knew there was something I could do better, learn more about and become knowledgeable in.

This began to change as soon as people were emphasizing the importance of "Web Standards" and definitely came into better focus once CSS became the standard for site layout.

Once "Ajax" popped up on the scene - I knew I had to master my JavaScript abilities and now-a-days, PHP & MySQL are all the rage.

I have recently started becoming more familiar with PHP. I've known for quite some time now that it was something those "other guys" (Web Developers) used to create more functionality in web pages and so on.

In the old days - I would design a website completely from scratch. Then, once I utilized EVERYTHING at my disposal - I would call in Web Developers to "take over" and perform other tasks that I couldn't perform - like making HTML forms "functional" and interactive. I was primarily focused on making web pages "look" a certain way. The developers were responsible for ensuring that the pages I created "behaved" a certain way and "did useful things".

I am learning more and more about what developers do that make sites come alive. I'm becoming a master at compiling various technologies to make my pages "do" more things and seem more life-like than before. I'm learning Ajax, enhancing my CSS skills and focusing on how I can learn PHP to create more sophisticated websites and "rich" internet applications.

For now though - I've got my nose stuck in every PHP book I can find. MySQL is next on my agenda. So - I guess in a way, you can say that I'm becoming more of a Web Developer. That's something I never thought would happen. But, slowly this is becoming reality.

My Web Design skills are pretty much top-notch.

Now it's time to call forth the Web Developer within and create fully-functional websites.

Once I achieve this goal, I'll have much more credibility.

Because - let's face it: the recession is forcing Web Designers and Developers to "cross-over" and become experts in both areas. Instead of hiring two people to create a website, many companies insist that the Web Developer do some Web Design and vice versa. Companies are scaling back - and that means fewer employees. It means that the employees who still have jobs are doing the jobs that other people used to do before times got rough.

I can no longer afford to sit back and allow "those guys" to do my work for me. On the contrary - I must learn to do most of (if not all of) the work myself. ESPECIALLY if I am trying to own and manage a Web Design business. My skills must come full-circle. It seems as if this is the only option I have.

I will admit, however - that I will always be more of a Web Designer than Developer. I will always prefer creating high-end graphics in Photoshop than sitting around hand-coding PHP all day.

Bottom line? If I can do both - I'll be able to stay competitive and in demand. That's the goal anyway - to stay one or two steps ahead of the competition. So, I'll shut up now and get my nose back where it belongs: studying and learning PHP.

Thanks for reading and visiting my blog. You can visit my business website here: http://www.spectrum8.net