Few questions about web design - Developers

Hey! First off, this isnt a thread asking for work as I *do not* have the time at the moment but in the future this is something I might be interested in doing. Im thinking of making a small amount of money out of maybe designing custom forum themes (for engines such as MyBB) and the odd website here and there for a few gaming communities. How much would I expect to make for a forum theme? Im not really good at design when it comes to what looks good so I usually just go on google images and find a few designs I like and mix them which usually turns out pretty ok. Where can I go to learn how to make a good looking site? I know how to do stuff in CSS, HTML and Javascript to make transitions and stuff but Im talking like design rules as in the do's and donts as to what looks good and what doesn't. I am capable of a lot of PHP stuff and can make a custom blogging system too. Im not expecting to make a fortune as I know its not a big earner. (heck id be happy to make £30 per forum theme :v: ) Any ideas?

[QUOTE=Chizbang;41279405]Hey! First off, this isnt a thread asking for work as I *do not* have the time at the moment but in the future this is something I might be interested in doing. Im thinking of making a small amount of money out of maybe designing custom forum themes (for engines such as MyBB) and the odd website here and there for a few gaming communities. How much would I expect to make for a forum theme? Im not really good at design when it comes to what looks good so I usually just go on google images and find a few designs I like and mix them which usually turns out pretty ok. Where can I go to learn how to make a good looking site? I know how to do stuff in CSS, HTML and Javascript to make transitions and stuff but Im talking like design rules as in the do's and donts as to what looks good and what doesn't. I am capable of a lot of PHP stuff and can make a custom blogging system too. Im not expecting to make a fortune as I know its not a big earner. (heck id be happy to make £30 per forum theme :v: ) Any ideas?[/QUOTE] Couple of points; 1. There's a fine line between getting inspiration and straight out copying other people's works, even if only parts. Be careful. 2. Look at themeforest for prices 3. Don't be too ambitious 4. Try top-end portfolio websites such as Behance.net for inspiration 5. Stay ethical, always strive to provide the best product for people's money and you'll be okay.

Yeah I always make sure Im only *inspired* I never make a blatant copy of someone else's design. I just need a lot of inspiration to get started. (but id prefer to be able to just do it rather then look around)

[QUOTE=Shadow801;41280152]2. Look at themeforest for prices[/QUOTE] Only do this if you are selling your forum themes on a place like themeforest. If you're doing custom work and charging themeforest prices you are [B]WAY[/B] underselling yourself unless you work is terrible. [editline]2nd July 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Chizbang;41280588]Yeah I always make sure Im only *inspired* I never make a blatant copy of someone else's design. I just need a lot of inspiration to get started. (but id prefer to be able to just do it rather then look around)[/QUOTE] Being able to just do it just comes with practice. [editline]2nd July 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Chizbang;41279405]I am capable of a lot of PHP stuff and can make a custom blogging system too. Im not expecting to make a fortune as I know its not a big earner.[/QUOTE] It actually can be a big earner. I've been pretty gainfully employed doing web design and development since I was 16 because I was passionate about it and applied myself. The biggest tip I can give you is don't get in to this industry unless you are ready to be constantly teaching yourself new techniques and technology, and constantly striving to improve your work. There are way to many people who know a little PHP and a little HTML and suddenly think they are web developers who end up doing it only for the money and not trying to improve their craft. Those people end up short changing their clients pretty frequently in my experience, and are bad for the industry.

[QUOTE=KmartSqrl;41280654]Only do this if you are selling your forum themes on a place like themeforest. If you're doing custom work and charging themeforest prices you are [B]WAY[/B] underselling yourself unless you work is terrible. [editline]2nd July 2013[/editline] Being able to just do it just comes with practice.[/QUOTE] Of course, if you're doing bespoke work for an individual you should be charging into the thousands, but if it's a template you're reselling, you're going to be severely undercut by ThemeForest if you charge too much more. But reading through his post again that seems to be what he wants, so disregard what I said.

Also, if you want to do this to make decent money, don't even bother trying to work with gaming communities because most of them are run by teenagers who don't have the cash to really afford custom work. If you want to help some friends out, go for it, but don't try to build business off that market because it's not going to work.

Yeah. Im personally only 16 so Im not too bothered about making thousands so I wouldn't mind underselling my custom work at first (until of corse things need paying and I do need more). Reason I bought up gaming communities is because its something thats I can do as a starter to get my self used to the industry. I have made two forum themes my self but itd be nice to have some more experience before establishing a business. Is that the right way to go do you think? Id be more then happy to improve on my skills. I really want to learn more JS and CSS transitions so I can make my designs with more fancy animations and stuff.