Self-evaluation and Reflection

The most important lesson I take from this assignment is this - I can do anything I put my mind to, but sometimes you still do not end up where you want with a project. Overall, I am disappointed with my result, but I am in no way disappointed with myself. I not only engaged as much as possible, but I achieved what I set out to do, in terms of personal goals. I know HTML and CSS now. While I am still a beginner, I know that, if I continue to build on everything I learned, I can design websites in the future. Motivation was never my issue, and I did extensive research, reading and practising every step of the way. I am also confident now, using Dreamweaver and taking advantage of its potential as a web building software. 

My disappointment comes from the way my website looks, from my design. I spent so much time on the technical side of things, that my project lacks a lot in that department. Yet, it is not as simple as saying I lack web design skills. If I have used a template the design side of things would have been sorted out in advance for me. I decided not to do that and work from scratch.  This whole experience has been a process of learning for me. While working on the website I gained more and more understanding. When I was done, I knew so much more than when I started. A week before the deadline I simply did not have the time to start again, using that knowledge. I can see all that is wrong, but I had to finish it to acknowledge that. I would not do anything differently though. If I have to do that again, I am much more prepared. And this time I will focus on the design, on the visual experience of the user, on creating something better.