The profession of web designer has long been at the top of the popular and in demand. And it is logical that to work in web design is quite profitable: there are many orders and vacancies, and it is possible to work remotely, and even over more than one project. But most importantly, is that everyone can learn how to design a web – today’s online education market is filled with proposals from this area But first things first.
In this article we will talk about who web designers are, what they do, where they work, how much they earn and where to learn web design from scratch or improve their skills.
Contents of the article hide
- Demand for the profession
- Web designer: what is the profession?
- Duties of a web designer: what does he do and what does he do?
- What a web design specialist should know and be able to do
- Personal qualities web designer
- Levels and careers of a web designer
- Pros and cons of the web designer profession
- How much does a web designer earn?
Demand for the profession
Internet technology is developing at a rapid pace, with each day there are more and more sites. They have design, content and other components. The designer is responsible for the external design. People who create sites need the services of such specialists. This can be seen in the screenshot from the service hh.ru:
Advertising agencies, web studios, freelance exchanges regularly post new vacancies and tasks for a web designer. Websites and social networks – a business card of the company, a tool for conducting business, a means of information, and for some it is a virtual office. These services require visual design, so there is a growing demand for web designer services, and it is increasing day by day.
Web designer: what is the profession?
To begin with, you need to be prepared for the fact that a web designer is an orchestrator person. Fundamentals of marketing, analytics, frontend-development, competent command of language and editing skills, as well as good taste, high empathy and communication – this is only a small part of the necessary competencies and knowledge for a web designer. But, isn’t that what makes it more interesting?
In general, in short – a web designer is engaged in creating layouts of web pages, which should be: a logical structure, usability and functionality, and, not surprisingly – design.
As in almost any profession in web design there are specializations, like UX/UI-designers, 3D-designers, graphic designers, and so on. About them I will tell you separately in the following articles.
You can also allocate an identity designer, but so far it’s more of a useful skill web designer rather than a separate specialization.
Duties of a web designer: what does he do and what does he do?
As mentioned above, a web designer is involved in creating layouts. This can be a variety of web pages: web pages, company websites or online stores. And also – banners or other elements of advertising, which require graphic design.
Usually a web designer’s work starts with a customer’s brief, because finding out “on the shore” all his wishes and desires, you won’t have to spend a very long time on redoing the final layout. And it helps to understand the task, so that the client and the designer know exactly what they are going to get.
Next, the designer draws one or more prototypes, or visual diagrams of the sites. The prototype is needed to demonstrate to the customer how the arrangement of blocks of content will look like. This step is often underestimated, but it can save you a lot of time and finally set the record straight.
After agreeing on a prototype, the web designer makes a layout. He adds color, animation and texts. Often here, too, can follow a series of agreements, after which the finished design layout is given to development.
Ready template is transferred to the work of layout designers or programmers. Web designer works with them in a team, periodically making changes where necessary. If the specialist is proficient in HTML, CSS and JavaScript – he translates his project into a full working product by himself.
What a web design specialist should know and be able to do
To make a comfortable and functional site a good master:
knows and applies color theory, typography and other components of design basics in his work;
Makes the site comfortable for all users: thinks through UI/UX;
owns the tools for web designers: Adobe PhotoShop, Paint.net, GIMP, Corel DRAW and Adobe Illustrator, NotePad++, FineReader. In some cases uses special programs: Colormania, Adobe Flash, GIF Animator;
knows specifics of work with HTML, CSS;
Correctly draws up design layouts for the subsequent typesetting;
knows how to develop promotional activities on the site, knows marketing and methods to attract new users (customers);
has excellent artistic taste and style;
works with images by the model by means of computer programs;
knows Russian well.
Web designer is always up to date in his field, constantly learning and pumping his skills.
Personal qualities web designer
In addition to certain skills, the specialist must have the following qualities:
communication skills – clearly articulates a thought, knows how to work in a team, finds an approach to any client;
Curiosity – seeks ways of solving problems in different ways, tries new approaches;
analytical skills – analyzes, structures and plans work. Builds a step-by-step system for himself/herself;
attentiveness – concentrates for a long time on the solution of a particular task, without distraction to messengers, social networks, notifications;
assiduity – is able to sit at the computer for a long time, without the constant “coffee breaks” and smoke breaks.
Responsibility – understands the importance of doing the work on time, reports to the client in a timely manner;
imagination – can imagine in advance how a page, an application or a site will look like after the visual design.
And most importantly – a sense of taste. No designer can do without it. But if you’re just at the beginning, do not think that a sense of taste – a natural talent. Taste is developed by observation. So it’s all in your hands.
Levels and careers of a web designer
Depending on the experience and knowledge of the specialist, different employment options are offered.
Junior is a new person in the industry. Just started to master the design, but already knows how to use programs to work, has a good theoretical base. Can draw a web page in Photoshop, add text. Such a specialist can count on the position of assistant to an experienced web designer and learn useful skills from him. In free sailing beginner go not an option, because he will not be able to properly execute the order. You can work in an agency, company or studio. It is necessary to constantly interact with a more senior mentor, fulfilling all his requirements.
A web designer is a specialist who works confidently on his own. Quickly and professionally works in all programs, knows all the intricacies of working with graphics, icons, banners, logos, weblogs, etc. Achieved a certain experience and skill in his industry and can work alone. It is enough to post a resume on any job search site or freelance exchange.
Head of web design department – such a specialist has not only achieved excellence in the profession, but also has organizational and managerial skills, and coordinates the work of the team. He can work both remotely and in the office.
Any specialist who has reached the necessary experience in web design can choose to work remotely or in the office.
Pros and cons of the web designer profession
As with any specialty, the work of an Internet designer has its positive and negative sides. The pros include:
+ high income;
+ Ability to work from home (including foreign projects);
+ constant career and personal growth;
+ high demand on the labor market;
+ creative realization.
The disadvantages of being a web-designer:
– adjusting to the opinions of the customer, which does not always coincide with the author of the idea;
– rapid solution of problems, often within a short time frame;;
– adjustments after the order;
– sedentary work, may develop diseases from hypodynamia;
– high competition.
All criteria are relative, individual and depend on the wishes of the specialist. The disadvantages are in all industries, and this profession will be in demand for a long time.
How much does a web designer earn?
In terms of payment, in general, the profession is quite profitable. Within one company junior (junior designer) on a remote job can receive from 20 000. But there can be several projects. As for office solutions, here the regions and the capital are almost on a par – the salary of a web designer has a range from 40,000 to 100,000 for middle, and from 60,000. up to 120,000 for senior. (According to hh.ru figures are current as of September 2019.) Of course, you can find higher-paying jobs, but it almost always means working in an office.
Research from superjob.ru shows a division into salary ranges, depending on the requirements for a specialist:
Seen in the vacancies top plan of 300,000. So I consider one of the most profitable professions, because it is quite easy to reach a high level (compared to programming and other technical specialties).
