Expanding My Web Design Skill-set

[LiE]

Hi Guys,

I'd like to expand my skill-set for web design, to cover a more technical side. Currently I have photoshop/illustrator and html/css experience, so I can create good designs. What I would like to be able to do is make my websites more interactive. I've found that a lot of developers use php with mysql for website funtionaility, is this hard to grasp? Would you recommend something else? I'm going to buy a few books to learn these new technologies, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Matt

 

[LiE]

Ah yes, Javascript. I think ultimately I'm aiming to learn php/mysql (I already know the fundamentals of mysql/databases), and also Javascript. I'm looking to freelance as a web designer eventually, would these new technolgies, together with what I already know, allow me to meet the needs of most clients?

 

[LiE]

Thanks for the help.
Following on from the freelance subject, do you have any experience with this? I've always got the impression it's extremely difficult to get clients.