Right now I only know how to make the design and create static HTML pages out of it... I'm not handy with PHP at all, and have never used or tried to code for wordpress, or any type of CMS.

Do people see web designers as people who just design it and put it into simple HTML code, or also as developers who integrate it into a CMS?

If so what would be the best course of action for me, and how?

People see Web Designers as people who design websites and code them in xHTML/CSS. Most people don't see them as developers as well.

I would suggest you stick with designing and creating static pages out of the design. Unless you have an interest in PHP or CMS, then go further so you can reach more markets. By doing web design and development, you hit more markets and offer more to a client, but if you are not interested in development, then don't do it.

I call myself a freelance web designer and developer because I am learning to code into different CMS and coding in PHP.

Okay, thanks. I think I will slowly move into it...

My suggestion would be to learn a little bit of PHP and database integration. You will find out with the time (I'm saying a few years here) that web design might bore you eventually and you will want to do something more interesting - something that visitors can interact with.
That's exactly what's happened to me and PHP, MySQL and some JavaScript is something you should look into in my opitnion - not to become a programmer straight away, but at least to understand how it works and use it whenever you'll need it.
Most of the clients these days want CMS websites - to manage content themselfs as it's cheaper for them on the long run.

You can always outsource programming as well - but learning at least a little bit doesn't hurt.

I agree with Scabro, be sure to learn Javascript as well. It is an interesting language and easy to learn too.

Truth is, it all depends what the person wants for you, and how the person heard of you. If your advertising on some board where "designers" are coupled with "coders" than you'll obviously need to clarify what you can and cannot do. That's what I do when i post for jobs.

A fellow I talked to not too long ago reminded me of a good point: coding for people can be a big headache. That's because you have to make sure what you code works on their browser for the most part, and if you notice all the discussions about IE, FF, Safari, etc etc, some people will just be so picky and waste your time.

So truthfully, I would suggest this: IF you want to code, go ahead but don't complain . Personally I focus on designing and getting better at that, because you can always find someone to code for cheap and then fill in the gaps yourself

Bottom line:
If you want to be a designer learn HTML/CSS/JS. JS not necessary but a good idea to know and stick to it.

If you want to be a developer then learn a server side language, JS and AJAX. You should still know HTML and CSS as a web developer.
I wouldn't suggest doing both unless you have a hard time looking for jobs. A web developer generally makes more than a designer.

It's all about what fits you. I personally like doing both. I'm 100 times better at designing. So logically I'm going to be a designer. Some day I may get good at PHP and be a programmer. But I won't be both unless I'm creating my own application.

Unfortunately, too many people treat web design and web designers as if they are a commodity. The flip side seems to be that too many "web designers" don't do anything to differentiate themselves. I would recommend to anyone who wants to do well in the industry - freelance or agency - specialize in something...Maybe section 508C compliance, or cross-browser compatibility. Downloading an "evaluation" copy of dreamweaver doesn't make someone a web designer. HTML and CSS are a no-brainer - if you don't know those inside and out, you're in trouble, and the best of the best code that in notepad - not with some fancy editor that formats for you. Beyond that - market yourself and specialize in something. Be a master of one thing, not a jack of all trades.

Take care and good luck!

Steve

The more you can offer the better you will be received and the more successful you will be. Someone who can code PHP, ASP, Perl, Ruby, etc, is far more valuable than someone that is merely familiar with html and css.

A few years ago I took it upon myself to learn PHP, and now I'm using it every day to design and develop websites for people all over the place. Was learning it useful? Definately! Now when someone asks if I can do this or that, I'm always able to say yes. Being the designer that can do it all means happy clients and recurring work.

some times they just live the designs to the Designers and live the programming like php, asp, or any web related to the web developers or programmers. that's how things goes along now a days. They worked like a team.

and the best of the best code that in notepad

What tool you use doesn't make you good. Your code makes you good.
Code in whatever you want, coding in notepad doesn't make you "l33t". Just means you have no error protection or coloring, which makes it more difficult to read code.

Originally Posted by NewBreed

What tool you use doesn't make you good. Your code makes you good.
Code in whatever you want, coding in notepad doesn't make you "l33t". Just means you have no error protection or coloring, which makes it more difficult to read code.

Agreed. Notepad++ is my preferred application.

I code a lot of stuff in Notepad++/2

Though I prefer to use PhpDesigner2008 as my IDE of choice.

I still utilize HTML IDE's from time to time, depending on what i'm doing. There are some things out there that do not need to be hard-coded.

But for anyone willing to start with hardcoding, it will benefit them so much. Things will not be lost on them later, and they can do so much more.

In my personal experience, I have found that when potential clients approach me: their interpretation of wed-designer/developer is as diverse as being an expert in photoshop, being a 1337 php/mysql coder, a flash designer, and taking professional photographs of their products for inclusion on their sites.

I would say that the guy who can be a jack of all trades, (i.e. being at least seldom good at a variety of different things) will indefinitely contract the most projects.

However, there is also something to be said for the guy who studies nothing but Flash, nothing but Graphic Design, nothing but PHP/MySQL, nothing but SEO; who is a specialist in his field, always swamped for project after project from word of mouth clients, or other networks/communities.

No question - the code is what makes it. The point is, too many people rely on hints and other snippets of code that are presented in "fancier" editors and don't truly get the fundamentals - the "why" something works the way it does. There are exceptions, but that's what we're seeing from young professionals these days.

nowadays the competition is getting tougher, if you wanna be get noticed you should know at least two fields. Most of my colleagues knows how to design/seo some of them design/programming and the others seo/programming. So you are more competitive compare with the others.

Originally Posted by ericajoieake

nowadays the competition is getting tougher, if you wanna be get noticed you should know at least two fields. Most of my colleagues knows how to design/seo some of them design/programming and the others seo/programming. So you are more competitive compare with the others.

While having other skills than just coding is a big plus. None of your skills mean anything if you can't sell your services. So the most important skill that people don't think about is be able to sell your service(s). Almost everyone can make a better burger than McDonalds, but could you sell that burger better? Could you attract people to buy your burger?

Originally Posted by skiernan2

No question - the code is what makes it. The point is, too many people rely on hints and other snippets of code that are presented in "fancier" editors and don't truly get the fundamentals - the "why" something works the way it does. There are exceptions, but that's what we're seeing from young professionals these days.

Agreed. Understanding the code is essential. I just disagree that "the best" use notepad. Professionals want clean and fast code. This is why one uses an IDE so they can read and troubleshoot their code faster. The faster you build a website, the more money you make. So potentially a designer could make $100 an hour if he/she had enough skill to produce a good looking site fast enough.

Originally Posted by NewBreed

Bottom line:

I wouldn't suggest doing both unless you have a hard time looking for jobs. A web developer generally makes more than a designer.

I've noticed for the past year that the average job requirement in London, UK expects one to know a lot of things. I've lost count on how many ads were placed for a company to request a IT Technician to know HTML, CSS, ASP, JSP, MySQL, Photoshop, Flash, InDesign, Illustrator, Maya, Word... *sighs*

It seems this is expected in about 60% of jobs with about another 30% requiring a few things less but still quite a lot.

Originally Posted by skiernan2

the best of the best code that in notepad - not with some fancy editor that formats for you.

Steve

I use to always code in dreamweaver using its GUI until I started getting more serious and looked at the TOP jobs in the industry. These top job offers on salaries of £40k+ demanded hard-coders..

that's when I stopped using dreamweaver for about 10 months and just used Notepad++. Now I can happily say that if I were ever put on the spot to read someone else's code, I'd be able to troubleshoot it effectively without having to look at a GUI and browser shots.

I returned to dreamweaver for its content management FTP system which, to me, is systematic-harmony (albeit a tad slow).

Originally Posted by NewBreed

What tool you use doesn't make you good. Your code makes you good.
Code in whatever you want, coding in notepad doesn't make you "l33t". Just means you have no error protection or coloring, which makes it more difficult to read code.

There's a difference to knowing where elements go and knowing how elements work. The ability to code in Notepad++ demonstrates, for me, a deeply knowledgable coder.

That's not to say that GUI-coders are not skilled, I just think, in my experience, that those who hand-code are able to troubleshoot more effectively.

I was training someone on how to use dreamweaver and they were clicking icons, dragging corners, changing options.. I asked them, what does this button do, what does that do? etc. They reply with

"oh, it makes a box and puts it there"
"this makes the image go left"

There was nothing technical about her knowledge. How is she suppose to work on CMS systems such as wordpress or joomla or different HTML generators, custom software, Cuteftp etc.? Is she gonna copy-paste everything into dreamweaver all the time? Not good practice, sorry.

Oh and Notepad++ has colours

Well I didn't phrase that very well at all. What I meant was I wouldn't do both as individual jobs as a freelancer unless I was worried about not having enough work. Of course your going to need to have knowledge in html and css no matter what job you go into and if you are doing the designing and server side you better be getting paid like you are doing both jobs.

Lastly there is a difference between "Notepad" and "Notepad++". He clearly said Notepad. Notepad is a text editor while Notepad++ is an IDE. I was not comparing Notepad++ with Dreamweaver nor did I mention Notepad++ or dreamweaver.

BTW, I do agree with what you said. But I never said or tried to say anything that contradicted it.