If you are someone who is creative, likes to come up with new ideas and likes to work with new technologies, then a career in web designing might be just the thing for you. The job of designer is to makes the best websites as possible for their customers. These websites need to have great functional value and need to be easy on the eye and should look good to someone looking at them. However, before one makes a career choice to go into something one needs to have a solid understanding of what this entails so as to be able to decide if it is the right thing to do. In this article we are going to go in depth to try to understand what a designer does so you can make your own choice.
What does a web designer do?
The first question of anyone who wants to work in computers but wants something where they can be creative at the same time is that becoming a designer what does that mean in practice. The website designer makes things for their clients. They make websites from scratch and they also redo websites for existing businesses aswell. A web designer works on the visuals of the website that you see on a day to day basis. A nice website is always made in close collaboration with their clients to make something that is truly unique. The close communication is the first thing to make sure that both the designer and the client are on the same page before they take off.
Once the basic structure and idea has been agreed upon then the next step is to use various different kinds of computer programs and design tools to make different pages. This involves the use of a degree of coding. The font size and style has to be chosen as to which one is going to be the best in that particular niche. The images and color combination used to attract potential customers to clients website, the products and services on offer need to be presented in an enticing way. They might need to do some customized coding to ensure that the website is dynamic. Website designers work in a host of different settings. They are sometimes self employed professionals. They might work for a professional agency or company full time and thus juggle several projects at once. They might also be the inhouse staff hired by a large company which is not a design agency but has so much business they feel the need to hire in house resources.
Key things a web designer does
A web designer has a lot different responsibilities they include but are not limited to
- A designer has to engage the client to make sure they are on the same page.
- Coming up with things that can be shown to a client and taking their feedback
- Coming up with digital images, graphics and one of a kind designs
- Getting the right kind of web hosting
- Coding is not the core job of a designer however some coding is needed.
- Making websites that are search engine optimized
- Working as a team with other kinds of professional to design complex and large websites. working with other specialists to create larger and more complex websites
- Testing the website making sure it is working fine
What qualifications and training should a web designer have?
You can break into the industry of website designing in many different ways. There are lots of different trainings that you can benefit from.
Qualifications for improved Web designer Skills
A lot of companies these days require a degree in some related field like software engineering, information technology, computer science, web design or graphic design. It is very important to keep in mind that this is not a must. If you do not have a relevant degree you can still get in through internships and entry level jobs.
Also,a masters degree can help improve your chances. You do not need to have it and nobody will ask you for it. However, in a market where so many people are trying to break in at the same time it is something that can help you stand out from the crowd and to make a name for yourself. Also, it can help to have a website where you can show off your work to potential customers.
Web designer training
Again it is not a hard and fast must have to have a training in the field. You can be self taught and still be in demand. However it does not hurt to have a little extra. Here are some examples.
- HTML fundamentals: This basic course is a must to know about the abc of this language. It is a much needed skill and helps you make special and unique features.
- Digital marketing courses: These train you how to make websites that Google will love. Search Engine Optimization is a must have skill these days. It also tells you how to use social media to your advantage.
- UX design: This is all about making websites which have the best possible user experience. They let you make websites that are engaging and help your clients in the end.
Web designer salary
They pay is less than 2500 pounds a month on average. It does very from place to place. In larger cities in the UK it is more and in smaller ones it is less. The same holds true all across the world. These figures are just for the UK. .
Web designer skills
If you have these skills and habits you will have a leg up in trying to become the best website designer around. Some important things to note
Attention to detail is a very important web designer skill
Details matter and as a great website designer it is your job to pay attention to those details. You need to treat a project like a work of art. This means that you need to revise things and take a second and even third look to make sure that when the client sees it their face lights up with joy and not anger.
It is important to note that before sending the website to the client you need to test each and every function several times to make sure that there is not glitch or issue with any of the buttons or functions. This will leave a happy customer and potentially many more will come in.
A great website designer has excellent communication skills
A website designer needs to be able to make his point clearly and needs to have the ability to grasp what he or she is being asked to do. They have to keep in touch on a regular basis to make sure that they are on the same page with their client. At the start the basics are discussed to have a broad picture of everything. Then as work moves along the tone and style of their company needs to be a part of the website. They need to be on the same page regarding the features of the website.
Understanding of computer programming and coding an essential web designer skill
Most designers already do not like to code. They tend to think of themselves as artists rather than boring coders. However, they need to have some skills to add features.
There is a high demand
These days every business has a digital presence. If you do not exist on the internet you better as well close shop and go home. People will stand in front of a store and still see them on Google for reviews and take their website into account when they are judging a company. Even if this is not a well thought out plan it is something many of us do without a second thought.
In this situation where everyone is making a website and constantly remodeling them for better reach designers are in so much demand there is a shortage of great talent.
Opportunity to work freelance
In the post covid world people are more likely to prefer freelance and remote work. As a designer you can choose to work on your own or for a larger company on a fixed pay. Freelancers are very satisfied with their work life balance. They get to keep all of their money. They can work any timezone. They can and do charge extra for reworks and urgent projects. If you are a top notch designer the chances are you do not want to be a wage slave working 9-5 and this is the industry that lets you work from the beach on your own time and your own rates.
Allows you to work creatively
If you are an artistic person who like come up with new and unique things then this is the right profession for you . It allows you to work, make money and do what you love all at your own time and while making a handsome amount of money.
