Tasks & Responsibilities
Here are some tasks and responsibilities of a web designer:- Understanding client’s requirements and for what purpose would they use their website (like to sell a product, as a blog etc).
- Creating a design plan, making a prototype of the website’s structure and understanding the linking and navigation between webpage.
- Determining the content, colours and layout to be used for the website.
- Making a layout of all web pages: Deciding the position of pictures, buttons and links.
- Knowledge of designing tools such as Dreamweaver for providing multimedia features like animation, sound and video, to the website.
- Testing and optimizing the website’s design.
- Submitting the website for publishing online.
Skills Required
A web designer has to be creative, technically sound and also business savvy. Most of the web designers usually work in collaboration with programmers. Their job is to use software and tools, such as Dreamweaver, for building designs, and the programmer’s job is to do the coding. Although the job of a web programmer is to design, Web designers are even required to have knowledge of scripting languages like HTML, CSS, Javascript. A lot of people have a misconception that scripting languages are only meant for web development but these languages are a must for designing. To read about the top skills required to work as a web designer, read our article here.Requirements
Most of the companies require the candidate to have a bachelor's degree or an equivalent diploma in Computer Sciences/IT and other related fields. Many post graduation programs in computer science are now offering specialization in specific Web designing related subjects. Other than qualification, web designers are expected to be well familiar with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and also to understand how Web graphics work. Remember: A career in Web design means that you never stop preparing. New products, new standards, and new conventions emerge every day, and the only real requirement is that you be handy with the latest and coolest design tools and concepts availableJob Prospects
Where can Web designers work? Freelancers Many web designers prefer working as freelancers since web designing could easily be done from home. You can start by having your own web site/blog created and then designing web sites for others and getting paid. Companies Majority of companies today, whether small or big, usually have their own websites and development comprising of developers, designers, and content writers. The developers are responsible for doing the programming/coding, designers for designing the graphical layout, and the writers for content development. Some of the job roles related to that of a web designer are:- Web Graphics Designer
- Multimedia Developer
- User Interface (UI) Designer
- Visual Journalist
- Layout Artist
- Graphic Designers
- Art Directors
- Animation Artist