About James Wade Weaver, Web Designer, Photographer, and Blogger
Web Designer by trade...
Tools of the trade...
Web designers must learn a lot of different technologies to stay up with what's going on in the community. Technology changes quickly and so must a designers toolbox. Below are some of the tools I use when I design websites.
HTML5
I've been spending a lot of time learning about HTML5 and where the language is headed. The web design community seems to have adopted HTML5 and web browsers have followed the trend. HTML5 is the future of web design (at least for the next several years). You can read about HTML5 in my web design blog.
CSS3
I started out coding sites in CSS and am now using CSS3 techniques. CSS3 has grown to include many great new features like, animation, corner radius, various border techniques, rotation, and more.
javascript
If you're creating websites and using javascript then you must add jQuery to your toolbox. It's an indispensable tool that makes working with the DOM so much easier than trying to use pure javascript. jQuery can easily be learned and will help you build applications much faster.
XML
XML is another indispensable tool for creating dhtml websites. If you have multiple scenarios that you need to create on the fly, depending on a users action, then xml is a must. It's pretty easy to learn and can help out in many situations.
php
php is fairly easy to learn and is opensource. It's well supported and works nicely with other opensource tools. Did I mention how much I love opensource technologies? php is a great tool for building fully dynamic websites.
apache
Apache is opensource and can be installed on your pc or mac. I use apache for all of my php applications. What's great about apache is that it installs a server directly on your pc so there is no need to purchase and setup an actual server.
MySQL
php, apache, and MySQL go hand in hand when you want to build a dynamic website. Each is licensed as opensource and be downloaded and installed on a pc or mac. It's like having a server within your pc (yes I still use a pc, not a mac)
What else do I use?...
Graphic and code editors
I also use Photoshop CS5 and notepad++. Photoshop is quite expensive, but well worth the investment. If you are in high school or college look for student discounts. I purchased photoshop CS5 for about $800.00 off the retail price. Notepad++ is opensource (web designers love opensource) and licensed under the GNU, General Public License. Many opensource projects are a part of the Free Software Foundation.
XAMPP is the last thing I would like to mention. XAMPP is opensource and can be downloaded and setup on a pc in about 10 minutes. It's perfect for web design and development. It comes packaged with apache, php, and mysql. It installs everything for you and configures it so you don't have to! If you use a mac then MAMPP is for you!
A little about me...
Where I started...
I was born in Shelby, Ohio and grew up in Crestline, Ohio. I started my life's work as a paperboy. My father would wake me up at 5am every Saturday and Sunday to deliver the Mansfield News Journal. The papers were heavy, filled with all types of ads and flyers. My father was very adamant about me being a paperboy and I can now understand why. The paper route turned into a daily routine and lasted for almost 4 years. As a matter of fact, I just realized that my paper route has lasted longer than any other job in my career history.
Many of life's lessons were learned from carrying papers door to door. The greatest lesson I learned could simply be put as "work habits". At times the job seemed very difficult, but it provided me with a great understanding of what work is and how to apply a work ethic to my future.
The other lesson which stands out in my mind is how to save money. My father had the knowledge and insight to teach me how to save. He convinced me to put half of everything I earned into a savings account. Today I stll pay myself before I pay anyone else. I may not be able to save half of the money I earn, but I can honestly say that without his knowledge I would have never been able to apply this practice in my adult career.
Thanks Dad.
How I got into web design...
I've been building websites and learning about web design since 2008. My boss, at that time, asked me to manage an ecommerce website project for a jewelry line they were coming out with, and I gladly seized the opportunity. I didn't actually write the code or create the graphics, I dealt with the people who did which gave me a great deal of knowledge in terms of the processes and tools needed to perform such a task.
Since then, I've been learning more and more about both sides of web design. All of my graphic design knowledge has been learned through reading and working with online tutorials. The tutorials are a great way to take a step-by-step approach to learning photoshop.
I've also taught myself HTML, CSS, Javascript, jQuery, PHP, and mySql. Both sides of web design have had their own unique challenges, but when you're doing something you love the challenges seem to make time fly by.
How I earn a living...
I was hired by JP Morgan Chase's retail division in 2011. My official title is User Interface Web Application Developer. I work on the design side of their banking applications. I started in 2011 and have loved working there as much as I love web design. I guess it's true, when you love what you do it doesn't really seem like work.
Besides working a fulltime job as a user interface designer I also do some freelance work and run a profitable web hosting company. I manage hundreds of domain names for fortune 500 companies, do graphic design work for all types of businesses and individuals, and hope to start a training class to help others learn web design in the surrounding Columbus area. For now, if you have a design or development question, head over to my web design forum.
Where I live...
I've been living in Columbus, Ohio for almost a decade and have enjoyed every bit of my time here. Columbus is a great place to work and play. I first moved to Columbus to go to school at The Ohio State University and eventually graduated from Franklin University with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Sciences.
Life's recent joys...
Recently I married the love of my life! We are the proud parents of a Golden Doodle, Penny Lane Weaver. We purchased a house in Clintonville and love living in this part of Columbus. If you are buying a home make sure you check out Clintonville.
