Web design is a specific field within Graphic Design that focuses on the design of engaging websites. You need to understand the online working environment and create a site that is suitable for the business objectives; do customers want to sell products from their website, or simply acquire leads from their site? It’ll be your job to know how it should look – and work – and effectively meets customer objectives. Read on to find out how to pursue a career in webs design…
Website designer/web designer: the role, responsibilities and skills needed
Salary range: £18,000 to £40,000
Average salary: £23,000
Qualification requirements**
- Non-essential: Formal Web Design wualifications – though many designers have qualifications or experience to specialise web design
- Non-essential: Related creative or technical degree, such as Fine Art, Computer Science or Graphic Design.
Skills requirements and experience
- Essential: Design experience – especially working with web pages
- Essential: Creativity
- Essential: InDesign; Illustrator; Photoshop; Fireworks; Flash
- Teamwork – both with clients and colleagues
- Problem-solving and solution-providing
- HTML or other coding knowledge
- Acquiring skills
Work locations
- Design agency
- Marketing agency
- Freelance
- In-house at larger corporations
Job duties (varying depending on the agency
- Liaising with/presenting to clients to discuss their requirements and get their feedback
- Drawing up website specifications and site plans
- Designing websites, including text, colours and layout, in-keeping with the brand
- Working with graphics to make sure they’re right for the website
- Keeping on top of current design trends and developments
(This information was compiled using information from Payscale, the National Careers Service and Prospects)
How to get into web design
With qualification being desirable – but not essential – there are a number of routes you can use to get into web design. Check out the options below and find the best one for you
Degree
If you’re sure you want to do website design from a younger age, you can choose to specify sooner rather than later.
You can do both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, either specialising web design, or combine it with additional subjects such as communications, development or advertising.
With a degree, you’ll work on projects and that will begin a collection of samples of your work.
Self-taught
If you are self-taught, you can develop a range of skills using online tutorials and books, and build up a body of work that way. There are a number of online or distance-learning that can enhance it.
Portfolio
Whether you study web design or choose to self-teach, you will need to compile a portfolio of your work to showcase your skills to future employers.
Have a digital version, so you can send out a link when needed, but bringing a hard-copy with you to interviews gives you a talking point and something to show your knowledge as well as your skills.
*Salary information taken from www.payscale.com, from National Salary, without bonuses
**Information taken from nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
Sources
https://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/inside-careers/how-to-get-into-web-design
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/web-designer
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/web-designer
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