web design
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, with specialization in Graphic Design, from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, which is among the top 10 Graphic Design schools in the world.
Between my classes at MCAD, my freelance work over the last 5 years, and my professional work in the last 4, I have worked on Website Design consistently, managing responsibilities including the Graphic User Interface, or the appearance of the site, as well as the coding. I have designed 5 artist portfolio websites from scratch (including my own), worked with a team to create the current website for the Minnesota Film and TV Board, and do constant maintenance on the website for my current employer, as well as preparing (designing and coding) monthly eBlasts (email promotions).
Web Design requires a great deal of organization, an understanding of user habits and needs, and a great deal of creativity. The process begins with brainstorming and organizing all aspects of the website into a flow chart that will eventually represent the site map and the main navigation. Though is is important for a website to be visually pleasing, it is equally important that it be practical, easily navigated, and an appropriate fit for the desired audience. As many companies' and freelance individuals' first line of communication to potential clients, it is imperative that the website be as attractive as it is useful. Form and function, perfectly melded.
Adobe InDesign
My work as a professional Graphic Designer requires intricate knowledge of all of Adobe's Creative Suite. I work daily with InDesign in the creation of a variety of multi-page projects including Product Instruction Sheets, and for the Catalog Layout of 3 yearly catalogs over 50 pages each. I have strong familiarity with the relationship between Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign when it comes to creating content that is appropriate for printing and that will behave as desired once ready to be laid out in InDesign, so in most cases, it is important to already have at least a basic understanding of Photoshop and/or Illustrator (unless you are simply laying out provided images and text that are 100% prepped and ready to go).
Important tools within InDesign are focused around clean layout, structured grids, and establishing hierarchy between information. These are relatively easy rules and tools to learn, and if you already know anything about Illustrator, many of the concepts translate, there are just a few quarks to learn your way around.