Here at the Art Institute of Atlanta, faculty in the department of Web Design and Interactive Media have made concerted effort to integrate competencies dealing with web standards, accessibility and usability in the curriculum. Some of our graduates have gone into the industry and “converted” design studios into thinking standards, accessibility and usability.

In learning to train myself over the past five-plus years, I’ve really come to appreciate how much there is out there just waiting to be learned. Sites just like this one provide the motivated designer endless opportunity for growth. Most of the technical web skills I’ve learned have been from sites just like this.

One thing I will say: Take heart in the design training you’re getting. While they may focus too much on a particular piece of software that you may not use, focus on the design lessons. I think one of the things that sets me apart is the design education I got. Good design principles apply everywhere — on paper and on screen. You just have to be open to thinking about how the two formats crossover. When I need inspiration for a web design project, I pick up a magazine.

Aaron I