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As a web designer, you are in charge of both major decisions, such as the site’s menus, and minor elements, such as which fonts, colors, and pictures to employ.
A web designer creates the layout and design for a website. Simply put, a website designer improves the appearance of a website. They employ design software to generate visual pieces. Website designers typically specialize in UI, or user interface, which means they strategically build a site that is intuitive and simple for users to browse. If you’re intrigued, let’s look into this profession and learn what it takes to become a good web designer.
Website developer versus web designer
People often confuse the roles of a website designer and a developer. A developer employs coding languages to build the framework of a website. They construct the structure and then delegate responsibility for its aesthetics to a designer.
What does a web designer do?
Before we go into the skills and education requirements, let’s look at what a website designer does on a daily basis to see whether it’s something that interests you.
Generally, a web designer
- Design and layout websites.
- Think through a site’s navigation to deliver the optimal user experience.
- Design sample pages and build mockups.
- Use Adobe applications to create visuals, graphics, and animations.
- Register a web domain.
- Organize files
- Collaborate on website upgrades, or “refreshes.”.
- Collaborate with writers and designers to construct a website.
The job outlook for web designers is promising.
The aesthetics of a website have a direct impact on the user’s perception of the site and the company. According to research, visitors judge a website in less than one second, and this first impression is frequently related to the brand. According to a research report from the Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab, 75% of customers judge a brand’s credibility based on its website.
As a result, the labor market reflects corporations’ increased focus on website design. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in this profession is expanding 23% faster than the national average.
Web designer salary
For anyone interested in this work opportunity, there is not only room for advancement but also competitive pay. The median annual salary for a web designer in the United States is $64,209. This amount combines an average base income of $59,317 per year with a median supplemental pay of $4,892 per year. Commissions, profit-sharing, and bonuses may also be considered when calculating remuneration.
What abilities should you learn to become a website designer?
If you want to be a website designer, you can start by developing specific talents. The following sections discuss workplace and technical abilities that you can develop as an aspiring web designer.
Workplace web design skills.
People frequently refer to workplace skills as non-technical or soft skills. Here are some instances.
Communication
A designer must be able to communicate with a company about their goals, ask questions about the target audience, and present their ideas for an effective website. Companies want a responsive designer, not just someone who can communicate. A responsive designer keeps a company informed, clarifies difficulties as they arise, and communicates deadlines.
Time Management
As a web designer, you can either work as a freelancer for multiple companies at the same time or for just one. In either case, you’ll need to be able to manage your time well to keep multiple projects on track.
Collaboration
A website designer frequently collaborates with others to construct a site. Website construction may involve a copywriter, graphic designer, or even personnel of an IT department. If this is the case, you’ll need the capacity to listen, communicate, and accept constructive criticism.
Technical skills.
Technical talents are particular competencies within the field of web design. Here are some instances.
Visual design.
The primary responsibility of a website designer is to generate visual elements for a site; hence, a strong understanding of design concepts is required. Visual design encompasses a variety of best design practices focused on proportions, symmetry, typography, and color systems.
UX design.
UX design, or user experience design, determines how a person feels when viewing a website. A designer’s goal is to produce a layout that is both easy to navigate and visually appealing, resulting in a favorable consumer experience.
A designer frequently conducts audience research and analyzes site behaviors to tailor a website experience to a brand’s target market in order to provide the best possible experience for the audience.
Understanding design programs is crucial.
Website designers must be proficient in design programs such as Adobe Creative Cloud, CorelDraw Graphics Suite, and Inkscape. Web designers frequently use these tools to create graphic elements, mock-ups, and alter photos.
Some coding knowledge.
A designer does not write the code that allows a website to run, but knowing a little HTML or CSS can help make minor changes to a site. With a rudimentary grasp, you’ll be able to edit templates, improve typefaces, and change item placements more easily.
Read more: What’s the Difference Between Hard and Soft Skills?
Do you need a degree to work as a web designer?
The BLS reports that many website designers hold a bachelor’s degree in website design or a similar profession. However, acquiring credentials is an alternative to pursuing a four-year degree in this creative field. Let us take a closer look at both degree programs and certifications.
Degree programs
There are four-year degree programs that can prepare you to become a website designer. Here are a few options:
A bachelor’s degree in computer science gives a comprehensive education in computational abilities, problem solving, and design work. Some programs, such as the University of London’s BSc Computer Science, allow you to concentrate your skill set by focusing on a specific subject, such as user experience (UX).
Bachelor’s degree in website design: Some students opt to pursue a specialist degree in website design, which emphasizes design skills and layout principles while teaching the technical tools used by website designers, like the previously mentioned Adobe products.
Web Design Certificate Programs and Courses
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is not the only choice; you may also look into certification programs or attend classes to improve your web design skills. Some organizations may favor candidates with relevant, current industry certifications. Here are some pertinent examples:
Google UX Design Professional Certificate: Industry leaders at Google teach this set of courses that cover core UX ideas. As you work on projects for your design portfolio, you will gain job-ready skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user research.
UI/UX Design Specialization: The California Institute of the Arts’ series of courses provides students with practical, skill-based instruction to help them understand the UI/UX development process, website architecture, site maps, wireframing, and best practices for creating a delightful online experience for end users.
Responsive Website Development and Design Specialization: With an increasing number of people utilizing mobile devices to search the internet, knowing how to create responsive, mobile-ready websites is an important talent. This University of London concentration requires students to develop and design responsive sites with multi-user experiences. While this program focuses on web development, learning these abilities can help you improve your web design knowledge.
Portfolio of web designers
With the necessary abilities and educational background, landing a website designer job entails creating an outstanding online portfolio. To assist, here is a list of tips for curating the greatest examples possible:
Quality over quantity: A portfolio should include your greatest work, but be selective. It is preferable to present fewer, higher-quality sites rather than many that do not highlight your greatest work.
Highlight the type of work you want to complete. Is there a certain industry you’d like to serve? Do you wish to concentrate on developing online stores rather than single-page websites for small businesses? Your portfolio should include the type of work you wish to produce as well as instances of what you’re passionate about generating.
Add context: While your portfolio is a visual depiction of your best work, it also allows you to add context about your influence and projects. Consider including a concise three- to four-sentence summary of the site’s purpose, problems, and why it’s in your portfolio.
It’s a good idea to set aside time every quarter to refresh your portfolio. Even if you are not contributing new content, you may have extra context or modifications to make based on your current learnings and goals. It’s far easier to update when things are still fresh in your mind than months or years later.
With Coursera, you may advance your profession in web design.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career as a web designer? If so, consider the Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate, which comes from an industry leader. By the end of this 100% online, self-paced course, you will have a professional portfolio to use in your job search.
