When you log onto any particular web site, you will first notice the layout and the design of the webpages. The look and the feel of a website leaves an impression on you and can keep you glued to the page or help you make the decision to hit your browser's back button.
Web design involves graphic design as well as software programming. As a web designer, you create a particular graphic design in relation to the theme and idea of the website.
A web designer starts by discussing and learning the client’s demands and trying to understand his idea and what he exactly wants. Most of the time, a web designer will already have formulated a basic concept for the client's website. But, it's the web designers duty to best match his design to the client’s ideas.
Education for Web Design
Since web designing entails creating web pages, a designer should be adept at using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), a computer language required to design and create a web page. He should keep himself updated with the most recent improvisations and HTML extensions. As a web designer you should have some decent knowledge about FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and various programs that are required to operate and work on the World Wide Web. To create and design web pages, a web designer should have the basic knowledge and understanding of the software aspects involved as well as graphic designing.
It would be an added advantage for you as a web designer, if you were familiar with the server and browser compatibility and incompatibility issues. You should also be adept at software programs like Javascript that can also be used for creation of web pages.
Requirements to Become a Web Designer
Generally, a web designer would have a background in graphic designing, fine arts, or publishing along with some courses in computer science. But, there many self made web designers who have learned HTML and other required computer skills all by themselves.
Training in computer graphic programs like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Paint Shop, Adobe Illustrator is mandatory. And web designers also need to be versed in computer languages like Flash, XHTML, XML based applications and other such development technologies and languages. They should be skilled in using operating systems like Windows, UNIX or Macintosh.
Nowadays, there are many schools and institutions that conduct 1-2 year courses on web designing or graphic designing. There are also various certificate courses for studying web design. Web designers are generally required to create a portfolio showcasing their works in order to show their potential employers.
Apart from the academic qualifications and training to become a successful web designer, it is important that you are good with communication skills especially verbal and visual, since there will be a lot of communication involved between you and the client. You should be able to understand a client’s wants and needs and vice versa. Without a smooth exchange of ideas and discussions, the turnout will not meet the desired expectations. As a designer, you need to be patient and listen to the client very carefully to know exactly what he or she is looking for. It is important to be open to various ideas and suggestions.
A job as a web designer is not a 9 to 5 one. You will have to work irregular hours and erratic schedules. There will be pressures of meeting constantly changing demands and strict deadlines. It is a demanding profession. Generally, web designers start their careers working as layout artists or graphic designers for different publishing and advertising firms. Web designers can also work as freelancers and offer their services on a contractual basis.
The future job prospects for the web designers are looking pretty good what with almost every company today launching their own website. The profession of a web designer is not a stagnant one and there is a lot of room for growth. Also the career paths are diverse in this field. As an assistant designer, you will be involved with designing particular web site or web page elements. As a project manager, you will be responsible for designing entire websites. As a design director, you will be involved in the supervision of various other web designers’ works; making corrections, improvisations and editing. These are just a few of the different positions you could gain as a web designer.
If you are looking for a creatively stimulating job, are creatively endowed and are whiz at computers, then this is just the job for you.
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