1) Use graphics apps for images only.  DO NOT use graphics apps as a shortcut to web page creation except for quick comps. The code is too rigid and unstable for use on real web sites.

2) Print/graphics design is nothing like designing for the web.  Print graphics are static and unchanging.  Web pages need to be flexible to work on various devices, viewports and browsers.  Different rules apply.

3) Put Dreamweaver away until you've learned the fundaments of HTML & CSS code.  This is required learning.  Later as your skills improve, learn all you can about client-side (JavaScript) and server-side (php or asp) scripting as this is what separates amateurs from professionals.

     Start Here:   http://w3schools.com/

4) Unless you're a game developer, forget about Flash.  For web sites, there's little future in Flash.

5) If you want to create custom web animations, look at Adobe Edge ~ HTML5, CSS3 & JQuery.

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/edge/

Best of luck,

Nancy O.

Alt-Web Design & Publishing

Web | Graphics | Print | Media  Specialists 

http://alt-web.com/

http://twitter.com/altweb

http://alt-web.blogspot.com/

sumvmac wrote:

 

Thanks Sudarshan. Am I able to create a website using just Dreamweaver and Fireworks, if so, will they allow me to use HTML5 or do I need another program for this. At this stage, if I just got Fireworks and Dreamweaver classroom in a book, would that be sufficient enough to learn how to create a basic website? Thanks

You definitely can create a website using DW and FW. You can code HTML5 with DW. These links should help you begin:

http://www.w3schools.com/html5/default.asp

http://www.html5code.com/

Classroom in a book is okay to begin with. But, as you advance in your learning, you'll need to see it in action to get a better understanding. Browse HTML5 websites, read online tutorials - there are tons of resources. This should get you going. It's not very hard to code HTML5. You could see this site that I've done in HTML5: www.architectarchna.com

Don't hesitate to post any other questions you may have.. We're happy to help..

Cheers,

ST

Typically I'd recommend the following:

1. Dreamweaver
2. Photoshop
3. Fireworks

You could also choose to buy the following if you're looking at doing an end-to-end design integration:

1. Illustrator (helps create Vector graphics that can then be imported to other tools_
2. Flash (if you're considering to do Flash animation/ websites)

This should get you started first.

Cheers,

ST

Hi there,

  I just wanted to circle back on this thread and let you know that if you are still interested in utilizing HTML5 for interactive content and animation, Adobe will be releasing a new product in the near future called Adobe Edge Animate. Edge Animate is an HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript authoring program that allows you to create HTML5 animations without having to know code. It is in Preview right now, so it's free to try out until 1.0 is released. You can download it here:

http://www.edge.adobe.com/

  As other users have mentioned, Web is much different from Print Design, and needs to be flexible as it is viewed in all different ways. As a designer, I like to reference different web design blogs for inspiration, and I personally feel that this helps train your eye for designing for web. A great blog is Web Design Ledger (http://webdesignledger.com/category/inspiration). Also, the programs I utilize to develop and design for Web are Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Edge Animate Preview 7. I used to use Fireworks a lot but found that I preferred the interface of Photoshop more as it is a program I use more often. Also, Illustrator is great to have for creating SVG images, which are becoming increasingly popular with the presence of Retina display on iPhones, iPads, and now the newest Macbook.

I hope this helps! You have a lot of great advice here already! I just thought I would throw in my two cents. ; )

-Devon

My apologies. I have the "http://www." ingrained into my system I must have accidentally typed it! ; )

But yes, you're correct that's the right link^