I first started learning html in 1995 to get a basic knowledge of it. Now, that seems like so long ago because I am designing things I would have never thought possible back then.. Everyday I learn something new and realize that as I do, I take one step closer to becoming a member of that coveted group of people that actually love what they do and can make money doing it. Yes, I definitely found another passion 12 years ago.

In 1995, there were no co-workers in my department who had the skills to address the web design needs that we had. So, I volunteered to learn the basics on my own and become the liaison between my department and the company's programming staff for web-related jobs. Needless to say, the responsibilities of that part of my job increased tremendously over the years. What started out as just an additional project developed into "webmistress" being added to my other titles. But I enjoy it so something good resulted from that volunteering.

I discovered that I loved immersing myself in raw html codes and creating really cool stuff from it. Web design became therapy and somewhat of a ``high'' for me. (Being obsessive and technically inclined had something to do with it, I'm sure.) So, my personal campaign to learn everything I could about html started and I started making pages from raw code.(Now, I luxuriate with software like Dreamweaver and FrontPage; why work harder than I have to?!)

Today, after attending numerous seminars, reading numerous books and newsletters on web design (some good ones out there!), intensely studying hundreds of websites, and spending hundreds of hours practicing and experimenting, my knowledge of web design and graphics is extensive. I have expert knowledge in some systems and working knowledge in others, such as Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Photoshop, ImageReady, Illustrated and Paint Shop Pro 7. In addition, I developed expert knowledge in many aspects of web design, including raw html, javascript, java, layering, tables, frames, and typography. I also have working knowledge in SGML, XML, Perl 5, and Flash. I also attribute some of my knowledge to the many fellow designers out there. Thank you for the great tips and tutorials on the web. I continue to learn (setting a goal for myself to learn something new everyday) and my experience grows. And as it grows, I look for bigger and cooler things to do.

I have developed hundreds of pages and recently taken on the job as webmistress for a few groups and businesses, which includes managing entire sites. I am not exclusively in the web design business (certainly not while I have another full-time job!) but I selectively offer services to groups or people who offer a product or service that helps people in some way. Please see my services page . I plan to post a portfolio page in the near future.

By the way, I love color. Can you tell?

What started out as a need to know the basics of web design progressed over the years into extensive knowledge of web design and graphics. It opened up a world of potential creativity and gave me a means to say ``look at me, look what I can do!'' to the world. So, as you enjoy the messages that I share with you on this site, I hope you also enjoy my design experiments, cuz' it's fun. When the fun stops, I'll look for something else to do!

The WebGoddess1
3-jun-07 9:00 PM