Explore the world of web design, a field that combines creativity and technical skills. This article discusses the essential tools and software used by web designers, along with the day-to-day tasks of professionals in the field, and ways to keep up-to-date with current trends.
Key Insights
- Web design is a multifaceted field, encompassing everything from layout design to technical coding. A competent web designer must be well-versed in graphic design principles and front end web development technologies.
- A web designer's daily tasks may include meeting with clients, designing web page layouts, writing code in languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, testing websites, and maintaining and updating websites.
- Several software programs are popular among web designers, including Figma for real-time collaboration on designs, WordPress for content management, Adobe Creative Suite for comprehensive design tools, Sketch for user interface designs, and Bootstrap for responsive websites.
- Additional tools beneficial for web designers include task managers, wireframing tools, image editors, and font management tools.
- Keeping up-to-date with the latest web design trends is crucial for web designers. This can be achieved by reading design blogs, attending conferences, and taking online courses.
- Noble Desktop offers a comprehensive web design certificate course, which covers essential skills from HTML and CSS to responsive design and WordPress. Upon completion, students have a portfolio of work to showcase to potential employers.
Are you looking to get into web design? While this field is filled with talented individuals with a wide range of skills, there are some essential tools every Web Designer needs to know how to use. In this article, we will start with the basics of web design before exploring what software Web Designers use so that you can start building your own skillset.
What is Web Design?
At its simplest, web design consists of creating and coding websites. This can include everything from the layout and design of the site to the more technical aspects of coding.
While some people might think that anyone can design a website, the reality is that it takes an incredible amount of skill and knowledge to create a website that is not only visually appealing but also functions well. A good Web Designer will have a strong understanding of both graphic design principles and front end web development technologies.
Web design encompasses numerous skills in the production and maintenance of websites. The creative professionals who work in web design are responsible for the look, feel, and overall layout of a website. They work with clients to create a site that meets their specific needs and represents their brand in the best possible way.
Day-to-Day Tasks of a Web Designer
The day-to-day tasks of a Web Designer can vary greatly depending on the projects they are working on and the clients they are working with. However, there are some common tasks that these designers will do on a daily basis, such as:
- Meeting with clients to discuss project requirements
- Creating wireframes and prototypes
- Designing web page layouts
- Writing code (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript)
- Testing websites
- Updating and maintaining websites
What Software Do Web Designers Use?
With a clearer understanding of what web design is and what Web Designers do on a day-to-day basis, let’s take a look at some of the most popular software programs they use.
Figma
Figma is a vector editor and prototyping tool quickly becoming a favorite among Web Designers. It is a browser-based app that allows designers to create and collaborate on designs in real-time.
Figma is great for web design because it offers a wide range of features tailored explicitly for designing user interfaces. These features include a components panel, artboards, and constraints. Figma also has an extensive library of plugins that can be used to extend its functionality even further.
WordPress
WordPress is a widely used and well-known content management system (CMS) that enables designers to create websites without having to write code. WordPress is one of the most prevalent content management systems in the world and powers millions of websites.
While WordPress is not a specifically design-focused tool, it does offer a wide range of features and plugins that make it a great option for web design projects. WordPress is a great choice for small businesses and personal websites that do not require complex functionality.
Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe Creative Suite is a complete set of tools for graphic designers, photographers, and creative professionals. Adobe Creative Suite includes industry-leading software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Adobe Creative Suite is not cheap, but it is the most comprehensive set of design tools on the market. If you are serious about pursuing a career in web design, then Adobe Creative Suite is definitely worth investing in.
Sketch
Sketch is a drawing and animation software specifically designed to design user interfaces. Web and app designers widely use Sketch to create high-quality mockups and prototypes.
Sketch is an excellent alternative to Adobe Creative Suite for those who are looking for a more affordable option. It offers many of the same features as Adobe Creative Suite, but it is explicitly geared towards designing user interfaces.
Bootstrap
Bootstrap is a front end framework that lets designers quickly and easily create responsive websites. Bootstrap is one of the most popular frameworks in the world and is used by millions of developers.
Bootstrap is an excellent tool for Web Designers who want to create responsive websites. It offers a wide range of features and can be customized to meet the specific needs of a project.
Additional Tools for Web Designers
In addition to the software programs listed above, a few additional tools can be beneficial for Web Designers. These include:
- A task manager: A task manager can be accommodating in keeping track of all the different tasks that need to be completed for a project.
- Wireframing tool: A wireframing tool can be used to create quick and easy prototypes of websites. Some of the most favored wireframing tools include Balsamiq and Invision.
- Image editor: An image editor can be used to create and edit images for use on websites. Some of the most prevalent image editors include Photoshop and GIMP.
- Font management tool: A font management tool can keep track of all the different fonts installed on a computer. This is particularly helpful if you work with multiple computers.
Stay Up to Date With Web Design Trends
As a Web Designer, staying up to date with the latest trends is important. This can be done by reading design blogs, attending conferences, and taking online courses.
Noble Desktop’s web design certificate course is designed to teach all of the essential skills that a web designer needs to know. The course covers everything from HTML and CSS to responsive design and WordPress.
The course is taught by expert instructors who are passionate about web design. Upon completion of the course, students will have a portfolio of work that can be used to showcase their skills to potential employers.
If you are looking for more in-depth training, the front end web development certificate and the full stack web development certificate classes teach the fundamentals of web design, along with the programming languages that are used to build websites. These courses are also taught by expert instructors and include a hands-on component so that students can gain practical experience.
With the proper tools, anyone can become a Web Designer. These are just a few of the software programs and tools that are commonly used in this role. With the right skills and knowledge, you can start your own web design business or pursue a career in this exciting field.
How to Learn Web Design
Master web design with hands-on training. Web design is the creative process of building functional, attractive websites with tools like HTML/CSS, JavaScript, WordPress, and Figma and an understanding of user interface (UI) design principles.
- Web Design Certificate at Noble Desktop: live, instructor-led course available in NYC or live online
- Find Web Design Classes Near You: Search & compare dozens of available courses in-person
- Attend a web design class live online (remote/virtual training) from anywhere
- Find & compare the best online web design classes (on-demand) from the top providers and platforms
- Train your staff with corporate and onsite web design training