Greetings, comrades!
I am System Administrator, working in Network Operations Center (NOC). With over 10 thousand users in the network, my expertise lies predominantly in backend work.



However, recently I found myself in need of extra income and decided to explore other avenues. I took out a loan and now find myself in a situation where I require financial assistance. In the past, my salary was sufficient, but times have changed.
But that is just the beginning...

Now, my dilemma is this: how can I acquire the artistry of web design, a field which has eluded me until now? While I am proficient in website development, my weakness lies in design. Although I am capable of creating something, presenting it beautifully is a challenge. I have always relied on bootstrap for my requirements, but it is not an all-encompassing solution.
What I need is a curated list of resources to enhance my page design skills. I aspire for everything I create to be aesthetically pleasing.
Thank you.

As a System Administrator with expertise in backend work, branching out into web design can definitely be a rewarding endeavor. Improving your page design skills requires practice and exposure to different design principles and techniques. Here are some curated resources that can help you enhance your design skills:

1. Online tutorials and courses: Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer a variety of web design courses tailored for different skill levels. Look for courses specifically focused on web page design and UI/UX design.

2. Design blogs and articles: Websites like Smashing Magazine, A List Apart, and Designmodo provide a wealth of design resources, tutorials, and articles covering various aspects of web design. Regularly reading and following design blogs can keep you updated on the latest design trends and techniques.

3. Design inspiration websites: Platforms like Dribbble and Behance showcase the work of talented designers, providing inspiration for different design styles and layouts. Studying and analyzing successful designs can help you understand the principles behind aesthetically pleasing designs.

4. Design tools and software: Familiarize yourself with popular design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Sketch. These tools provide powerful features for creating and refining visual designs.

5. Design communities and forums: Join design communities like Reddit's r/web_design or Stack Exchange's Graphic Design Stack Exchange to connect with experienced designers, ask questions, and seek feedback on your design work.

6. Practice projects: Create personal or small-scale projects where you can experiment with different design concepts and styles. This hands-on experience will help you refine your design skills as you apply what you learn from the resources mentioned above.


Here are a few additional resources that can help you enhance your page design skills:

1. Color theory: Understanding color theory is crucial for creating visually appealing designs. Resources like Adobe Color and Coolors can assist in choosing harmonious color schemes. Additionally, websites like Color Hunt provide curated collections of color palettes for inspiration.

2. Typography: Typography plays a significant role in web design. Websites like Google Fonts and Adobe Typekit offer a vast selection of free and paid fonts that you can use to improve the typography on your web pages. Learning about font pairing and hierarchy can greatly enhance the visual appeal of your designs.

3. Grid systems: Familiarize yourself with grid-based design systems, such as the Bootstrap grid or CSS Grid. Grid systems ensure consistency and alignment in your layouts, resulting in cleaner and more organized designs.

4. User interface (UI) patterns: Websites like UI-Patterns and Pattern Tap showcase common UI patterns and best practices. Exploring these resources can help you understand how to structure your web pages and improve user experience.

5. Design software plugins: If you're using design software like Sketch or Figma, consider exploring plugins that can boost your workflow and design capabilities. For example, plugins like Craft and Abstract can streamline collaboration and version control.

6. Mobile responsiveness: In today's mobile-centric world, it's essential to design websites that are responsive and adapt to different screen sizes. Resources like Responsively.app and Chrome DevTools can assist you in testing and optimizing your designs for various devices.

7. Design challenges and competitions: Participating in design challenges or entering design competitions can boost your motivation and expose you to a variety of design briefs and requirements. Platforms like Daily UI and 99designs offer opportunities to improve your skills through real-world projects.


Here are a few more resources that can help you enhance your page design skills:

1. Design books: Consider reading books on web design principles and techniques. Some recommended titles include "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug, "The Elements of User Experience" by Jesse James Garrett, and "The Non-Designer's Design Book" by Robin Williams. These books provide valuable insights and practical advice to improve your design thinking.

2. Design podcasts: Listening to design podcasts can be a great way to learn from industry experts and stay updated on the latest trends. Some popular design podcasts include "Design Matters" with Debbie Millman, "99% Invisible" hosted by Roman Mars, and "The Futur" hosted by Chris Do. These podcasts cover a wide range of design-related topics and feature interviews with influential designers.

3. Design communities on social media: Join design-focused groups and communities on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. Engaging in conversations and sharing your work can help you receive feedback and connect with other designers for inspiration and guidance.

4. Online design challenges: Participating in online design challenges like Daily UI, Adobe Creative Challenges, or Designercize can provide you with regular design prompts and opportunities to practice your skills. These challenges often have supportive communities where you can share your work and receive feedback.

5. Design conferences and workshops: Attending design conferences and workshops, both in-person or virtual, can offer valuable learning experiences and networking opportunities. Events like UX/UI Design Week, An Event Apart, or Awwwards conferences feature talks, workshops, and case studies from industry-leading designers.

6. User testing and feedback: Incorporate user testing and feedback into your design process. Tools like UsabilityHub or UserTesting allow you to gather insights and feedback on the user experience of your designs. By incorporating user feedback, you can make informed design decisions and continually improve your designs.

I hold a software engineering degree. At one point, I served as a content designer, layout designer, and marketer. For the past 17 years, my professional focus has been on UX/UI design for portals, web services, and applications.

After all these years, it has become clear that multitasking is no longer efficient. It's either checkers or go.

In both fields, the key is to constantly expand your knowledge. However, dedicating oneself to continuous growth in both areas can lead to sacrifices such as limited time for family, leisure, and even sleep(!)

Instead, it's advisable to find a talented designer colleague who can efficiently tackle tasks while you enjoy a satisfying fee from a delighted client.

Do you have a desire for drawing or any other form of visual expression of the imagination? If there is no yearning for creative visualization (modeling, drawing, painting, architecture, etc.), then it is likely to be a waste of time. You can easily check this by attempting to learn from a simple book on drawing, such as "You Can Draw in 30 Days" by Mark Kistler. This book will not teach you how to draw, but it will help you determine if the subject of visualization is interesting or simply dull. If it becomes monotonous, there is no point in continuing. However, if you enjoy it, then you can proceed further.
 
If you become skilled at drawing, you will be able to understand the correctness or irregularity of form construction, perspectives, and shadows. You will be able to choose appropriate colors without relying on blending tools, and evoke specific moods in viewers. Following this, you can explore various art styles and trends, and become proficient with modern graphic tools. By combining the knowledge of academic drawing and contemporary visual art, you will have the ability to create something new and original. Alternatively, you can also choose to master well-established old techniques, ensuring error-free results.

PS. Personally, "designers" who cannot even sketch make me laugh. They do not possess the fundamental skills required for their profession.

Relying on Bootstrap is a crutch. It's time to level up your design game. You need to understand the psychology of design, color theory, and typography. Check out resources like Canva Design School, Smashing Magazine, or A List Apart.
And, for the love of all things design, stop using Bootstrap as a safety net. It's holding you back from creating truly stunning designs.