DH Templates - Steps to building/learning web design.?

Steps to building/learning web design.?

I want to start webdesign for simple websites. Please let me know what my best approach should be. I figure: 1. Learn Drupal or joomla 2. Attach a template i buy from monster templates 3. Learn fireworks/photoshop to make it look good. (maybe even flash too) 4. Learn HTML to edit the sites if required

Public Comments

I recommend learning HTML first, then you can learn photoshop. I never used Drupal or joomla in my life. Why would you buy a template if you want to learn how to design websites? Once you buy a template there's not much to it really.
It depends on what you want to do. I worked as a web-master in the 90's and did everything from db programming, Photoshop work, to laying out content using HTML. Now, the trade is a lot more complex.... People specialize in web-programming, db-programming, digital art, and server maintenance. I'd learn how stuff works first, then you'll be able to master any CMS solution in a matter of minutes, and even design your own. 1)learn HTML / CSS 2)learn PHP/MySQL PHP will be the best solution for you and your clients. Simply put PHP is open-source and free. You can set your clients up with CMS solutions like Joomla and not force them to spend lots of $$$$ on proprietary technologies. You will be at a crossroads here, because it will be virtually impossible to be a great digital artist and developer. You will not be able to compete with companies that hire dedicated programmers and artists. If you have a given talent for art go the photoshop route. Otherwise, anyone can learn to program, some people are just better than others... There are always starving artists in college that have great talent and will do work from anywhere from cheap to free (just to get work published). Of course there are people that make a living off selling cheap web-sites to mom and pop businesses that know nothing about what they're getting, but they do not make much money. From my experience you really need to know a lot more than how to set up a CMS system.