It does seem unfair that web designers are pressured to be a jack-of-all-trades; Bill's point is that people should be multifaceted, but he might also argue that what gets you hired is knowing your strengths.

There are certainly many designers out there who 'do it all', but ask them what they prefer doing, and they'll have a quick answer.

Be patient and persistent. Knowing all the layers of creating an effective website is important, but it's better to stick with what you know: if you're a visual designer, focus on how to do that better. If you freelance, find a front-end developer or programmer that you trust. Find out what they look for when they open up your PSD file. Ask them to walk you their process of turning your design into markup. If you can learn how they work, and work with them efficiently, you'll eventually absorb what they know and adapt it for yourself.

Adam's point of just 'doing it', however vague, is great advice. See a website that mesmerizes you? Look at the code and see how it's put together. You'll know you've learned something when you can start to identify patterns and processes.

Trial and error is a fool-proof way to learn!

Great info but — please — don't suggest beginners go out and work for free. Keep in mind that some of us are in small enough markets that if every local design student followed your advice, they'd outnumber the businesses.

Being a professional, at no matter what point in their career, is a for-profit venture charging its market value from other for-profit ventures that charge likewise for what they do. Better to work pro bono on personal projects and for non-profit businesses and charities instead. Working for free only gives you an in with cheapskates and their cheapskate friends that will expect more of the same, at least with charity you're doing some greater good and building a rep as a decent human being and a network through their volunteers.

Thanks… much respect.

However, I'm well aware that life is not fair, so my next question: Does the community out there have any tips or resources to furthering one's web design skills?