Web Designer

You will need to show a combination of soft and technical skills.

Soft skills include:

• Creativity
• Imagination
• Attention to detail
• Analysis
• Communication skills

Technical skills include:

• Search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Coding – HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Dreamweaver
• Programming – .net, PHP, Python
• Adobe Creative suite – Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Content management system (CMS) – WordPress, Drupal, Adobe Business Catalyst

The technical skills for each Web Designer position will vary depending on what the employer expects from you. The technical level of web design and the level of job role you are applying for will also vary and advanced skills may be required.

A web designer focuses on the overall look and feel of a website from the front-end. They use their creative flair, intuition and imagination to create design concepts for clients based on their needs. Designers need to have a strong understanding of colour, typography, audience and user experience.

Whereas, Web Developers are responsible for building the backbones of the website. They focus on the functionality of a website rather than making it look visually appealing.

A formal qualification such as a degree is not always necessary. However, there are larger corporations that offer a graduate training scheme, these usually require a related degree at either undergraduate or postgraduate.

If you are a self-taught web designer an employer may still be interested in hiring you, providing you can present a strong portfolio of websites you have worked on. With a portfolio of work behind you, this can also lead to setting up your own business.

Another route to becoming a web designer would be to undertake specialised courses provided by accredited training providers. These can be studied in a part-time environment or via distance learning which is the most popular choice for many.

You could be working from home on your own computer or in an office. You will also be required to attend client meetings.

You will generally work standard office hours, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, you may be expected to work extra hours in the evenings and at weekends to meet deadlines.

As a web designer you can expect your daily responsibilities to include the following;

• Taking a leading role in maintaining and developing a website
• Meeting clients to identify their website needs
• Working with different content management systems (CMS)
• Analysing website statistics
• Creating website designs
• Producing sample sites
• Digital retouching and image editing
• Search engine optimisation (SEO)

A web designer does not necessarily need coding skills, but you will be limited in your abilities to web design if you do not. To increase your employability, it is essential to understand front-end development as well as having a basic understanding of the functionality of HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

As a Web Designer you will have a whole host of transferable skills which makes you equipped to work across a wide range of industries.

With experience you can lead your own design team or expand your skillset to become a web developer. You could also move into business management or start your own web design business.