I have been wondering how my skills compare to other developers / designers out there and if I could call my self a true Flash pro yet. With the wide range of tasks Flash and Action Script can achieve it’s not so black and white to say your the best qualified person for that job title of Flash pro. So I am trying to outline what it takes to archive a title of skill level in flash Design and Development

Lets start with what makes a novice flash developer / designer.

To say your a Novice Flash skill level you should have a good understanding of the following.

• You know how to use the time line and stage.
• You know how to make display object instances (MovieClips, Buttons, Images, ect…)
• You know how to use the time line shape tweener and motions tweener.
• You know how to Nest objects and have a understanding of scope
• You know the basics of embedding in html
• You can identify every tool in the tool panel

Even a novice skill leveled flash worker can produce high quality animations and banners. From my experience people who work in flash as a designer / animator never really perspire to learn more skills then this.
When I think in terms of the wages that level of skill is qualified to make I think in the range of $15 - $30 per hour.

If your have a moderate skill level of Flash then you have a understanding of the following

• What action script is and the different types there are (AS1, AS2, AS3)
• You know how to use action script on the time line to interact with display objects, property’s, methods and vars.
• You have a basic understanding of var and how to use them

For the most part this is your average flash designer / developer. This level of skill is seen in flash sites that have a basic level of interactivity. Most of the time the type of web sites seen from users of this skill level are static a have some time of animation involved in it. When I think in terms of the wages that level of skill is qualified to make I think in the range of $15 - $40 per hour.

To be a advanced developer / designer you must understander the following

• You know how to write with strict Datatypes, Class, Naming conventions
• You know how to use and manage data from local and remote data sources (XML, flash var, remoting via AMF, ect..)
• You have a basic understanding of OOP and design styles of programing such as MVC
• You have little experience with frame works and have used one in a development project.
• You have about two years experience with programing with Action script and working in the Flash IDE

This is your average freelance developer / designer and makes any where from $20 - $60 per hour depending on their professional experience and portfolio. The types of projects you see in flash on common web sites are made with the help of an advanced flash developer / designer.

Do you think your a pro yet?

I could use some help with describing this level of skill as I have yet to make it pro, but from what I can tell this is your average Pro flash developer / designer.

A pro Flash Developer / Designer:

• Can write a complicated framework top to bottom
• works on a production team of other pro flash developers and or has a consultant or support group of other pro flash developers
• Can utilize complex APIs and data types such as the byteArray class.
• has had his or her work showcased as best of it’s type at least once.

You can tell what a flash pro’s work looks like. Have a look at http://thefwa.com Every great site that gets showcased there is made by a professional team of flash developers and designers. Though I better there are many pros not show there too. From what I understand many Flash professionals make on average any where from $60 - $150+ per hour.

I know there maybe a few areas that I have not included here in my list. Feel free to add your opinions and or share your level of skills and why you think you are qualified for your title.