With the field of web design becoming increasingly popular, many people wonder what Web Designers do in their professional roles. While the answer may vary depending on the job title, there are some commonalities that most Web Designers will likely agree upon.
This article will discuss some of the main duties of Web Designers, as well as what skills are necessary to succeed in this exciting field.
What is Web Design?
Web design is the process of creating and maintaining websites. This can include anything from developing a website’s layout and structure to designing individual web pages or even creating entire website themes.
Web Designers use several different tools and software to create their designs, including image editing programs, code editors, and web development frameworks.
What Do Web Designers Do?
The specific duties of Web Designers vary depending on their job title and level of experience. However, there are some common tasks that most of these designers will likely perform at some point in their careers.
Creating Website Designs
One of the most important duties of Web Designers is to create initial designs for websites. This involves coming up with a site’s overall layout, choosing colors and fonts, and designing individual pages.
Web Designers often create mockups of their designs using software such as Adobe Photoshop or Sketch. These mockups can then be presented to clients for feedback before the designer starts working on the actual website.
Creating Web Page Layouts
Once a website’s overall design has been approved, Web Designers need to create layouts for each individual page. This involves placing elements such as text, images, and buttons in specific page areas.
Web Designers use various methods to create page layouts, including using grid systems, floats, and absolute positioning.
Coding Websites
In addition to designing websites, many Web Designers are also responsible for coding them. This involves writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code to create the website’s front end.
Web Designers need to have a good understanding of web development concepts in order to be able to code websites properly.
Testing Websites
After designing and coding a website, Web Designers need to test it to ensure everything is working correctly. This involves checking for errors in the code and testing the site on different browsers and devices.
Maintaining Websites
Once a website has been launched, Web Designers may need to perform occasional maintenance tasks. This can include anything from fixing bugs to adding new content.
What Skills Do Web Designers Need?
Web Designers need various soft and hard skills to be successful in their roles. Some of the most important skills include:
Creativity
Web Designers need to be creative in order to come up with unique designs for websites. They also need to be able to think outside the box and find new ways to solve problems.
Artistic Ability
While not all Web Designers need to be artists, some level of artistic ability is often necessary. This can help designers to create more visually appealing designs.
Technical Skills
Web Designers need to have good technical skills to be able to code websites and use various design tools. They should also have a good understanding of web development concepts.
Interpersonal Skills
Web Designers need to communicate effectively with clients and other design team members. They should also understand the client's needs and translate them into a working website design.
Time-Management Skills
Web Designers should be able to manage their time well to meet deadlines and stay within budget. They should be able to prioritize tasks and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Organizational Skills
Web Designers need to be organized to keep track of all the different elements they need to design for a website. They should also be able to organize their thoughts and ideas to make sense of the project they’re working on.
Adobe Photoshop
Web Designers should be proficient in Adobe Photoshop, a widely used program for creating website designs. The program is used to create layouts, mockups, and individual graphics.
Adobe Illustrator
Web Designers should also be proficient in Adobe Illustrator, a vector graphic editor often used for designing logos, illustrations, and icons. The program can also be used to create website layouts.
HTML
Web Designers need to know HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), which is the code used to create websites. Most web design software can generate HTML code, but it’s important for designers to know how the code works and be able to hand-code it if necessary.
CSS
Web Designers also need to know CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), which is used to style the HTML code on websites. Similar to HTML, CSS can be generated by web design software, but designers should have a basic understanding of how the code works and be able to hand-code it if necessary.
JavaScript
In addition to HTML and CSS, Web Designers may also need to know JavaScript, a programming language used to add interactive elements to websites. The language can be used to create things like menus, forms, and slideshows.
What Is the Future of Web Design?
The future of web design is likely to be focused on responsive design and mobile-friendly websites. With more and more people using smartphones and tablets to access the internet, websites need to be designed with these devices in mind.
Websites will also need to be designed for emerging technologies, such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence. As these technologies become more mainstream, Web Designers will need to be prepared to design for them.
One of the best ways to stay up to date with the industry is to sign up for a live online web design bootcamp from a reliable provider like Noble Desktop. These classes are versatile and can be taken from the comfort of your home or any location with a secure internet connection. They allow you to gain experience with hands-on projects while gaining content for your professional portfolio.
If you’re ready to start a career change in the design field, try searching for live online web design bootcamps in your area to see what is available.