Web Designer Career Guide

Different Types of Web Designer Jobs

The types of careers that currently exist for web designer are much more varied than they were just a few years ago. Although many of the duties and responsibilities are similar across these various occupations, there are some important differences. 

You may find yourself doing aspects of several different facets of web design depending on the type of work you do. There are no hard boundaries between them. Employers or clients may expect you to have some knowledge of each.

With all this in mind, here are some of the specific types of careers you might pursue as a web designer.

Webmaster

Webmasters are in charge of designing, improving and maintaining websites. They may work for a company or be self-employed with several clients. It’s very helpful to have a wide range of skills and abilities because most webmasters end up doing much more than may be initially expected. Webmasters will sometimes have the role of web designer, graphic designer, search-engine optimizer and even content writer occasionally.

It is imperative for webmasters to know about the businesses they are representing online. Every business or organization has a different model and their web presences need to reflect that. Websites need a clear journey or process for the various goods and services each provide and must appeal to their particular clientele.

Some of the responsibilities for webmasters are:

• Writing code for building and maintaining websites (such as HTML, HTTP, XML, etc…)
• Maintaining updates and security protocols for websites
• Meeting with stakeholders and helping articulate their vision into a website
• Staying current with the newest types of operating systems and their various applications or plugins

Front-End Developer

Client-side development, also known as front-end development, is focused on producing CSS, HTML, and Javascript for websites or web applications that users see and engage with. Skilled front-end developers create sites that display the information users want to see in an easy-to-read format. Functionality across the multitude of devices, programs and resolutions we use today is imperative. 

The main goal for this type of developer is to make sure website visitors can easily navigate and interact with the pages and elements of the site. This requires a combination of programming, design and technology knowledge. 

Some of the things you may need to do as a front-end developer are:

• Optimize the User Experience (UX)
• Develop User Interface (UI)
• Maintain front-end aspects of websites
• Debug and test elements of websites
• Create mobile-friendly designs

User Experience (UX) Designer

While intimately related to User Interface, User Experience (UX) design relates more directly to the user’s feelings or overall experience than UI does. It is a human-first approach to creation and design. This design isn’t just in the digital space, either. It applies to physical products, technologies and just about anything that can be experienced.

Some things a User Experience designer may do are:

• Testing and analysis
• Competitor Analysis
• Prototyping and wireframing
• Content Development
• Customer analysis

Related Fields

Some careers are very similar or adjacent to web design, but not really considered a part of the field. Still, you would benefit from having training in web design if you were in one of these related fields.

Here are some careers that are related:

• Computer Programmers
• Computer & Information Systems Managers
• Interactive Designers
• Digital Designers
• Graphic Designers
• Database Administrators and Architects
• Information Security Analysts
• Software Developers and Testers

How to Become a Web Designer

If you’re a complete newbie, take an online tutorial or class in HTML as soon as possible, and try to build a basic Website. Do you like coding? Are you fascinated by the problem-solving that’s required? Web design requires extreme tech savvy, patience, and curiosity, and while it’s easy to be seduced by the “front end” of Web design, your visual flair must be accompanied by attention to detail for you to succeed as a Web designer.Polaroid image of web designing
Ultimately, if you’re serious about a career in Web design, you may need a formal education or training program to enter the field. An Associate degree is recommended as a minimum qualification for Web developers by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web design changes so fast that an intensive academic program that blends coding, software, and visual design can provide an effective solution. You need to have a balanced skill set, while ensuring that your visual design skills are strong enough to earn you the title Web Designer.

At the end of any Website Design program, you are looking to graduate with a good grasp of current technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), a mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, and a set of effective visual interface designs. You will also want to have completed Web site projects under your belt.

What Education is Required?

The education requirements for becoming a web designer range from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree. Some jobs or employers may require candidates who have a degree in a certain field such as web design, digital design, graphic arts or computer science.

A strong understanding of HTML is certainly necessary and a solid grasp of other programming languages such as SQL, CSS or JavaScript will broaden your hireability immensely. If you are considering this line of work, begin taking courses in programming as early as you can.

Why is a Degree Important?

Web designers may not need education credentials if they can sufficiently demonstrate their skills using previous work or experience. While education is not necessarily required, most people pursuing this career can benefit greatly from some form of schooling.

The field and associated technologies are changing quickly, so keeping current is important. Those seeking training in specific programs or tools can find individual courses or certificate programs to supplement their previous experience and education.

Advancing Your Career as a Web Designer

If you are already working in the field of web design and seeking to advance your career, there are a number of ways you can help your chances. In the next sections, we’ll show you a few common ways people improve their careers.

1. Hone Your Skills as a Web Designer through Practice

Do you think you already have all the education you will need at the moment? Everyone can benefit from some practice. Even skills you think you have mastered can become easier through repetition.

The programs, technologies and tools used by web designers are always updating and improving. You should, too! Digital tools you have used for years are likely still getting yearly updates and with those updates comes new functionality. The best web designers stay on the cutting edge of these technologies to make their work the absolute best it can be.

2. Earn An Online Web Design Degree

Do you have any formal education in web design? If not, you may want to consider earning a web design degree. It is never too late to start a program. While it may sound like a daunting task, the benefits FAR outweigh the work and costs, especially for those who don’t know where to begin in their career path.

An associate degree is enough to get you started in a web design career, but you may want to expand your horizons with a bachelor program. Typically you can earn an associate in two years and a bachelor in three or four years.

3. Earn a More Advanced Web Design Degree

If you already have a degree, you may want to consider going back to school to earn a more advanced degree. Taking the next step will show current and future employers that you are interested in excelling in your career. Mentored learning from college instructors is one of the best ways to continue building on your skill and knowledge sets.

Adding a more advanced degree to your resume will help you stand out against other candidates when seeking employment. Recognition from a reputable school is one of the best ways to convey competence to those who make hiring decisions.

4. Obtain New Skills with Specific Web Design Courses

Sometimes people just need to brush up on or learn a specific skill or program. This is especially common in web design, where technologies are constantly updating and improving. Courses in specific skills or programs are great to gain quick, guided training to add some new abilities or improve those you already have.

Perhaps you are already fluent in the basics of HTML and CSS, but could use a refresher in Javascript. You might need to familiarize yourself with Web Typography for a specific project. There are many places you can find a quick course to add to your repertoire.

How to Switch Your Career to Web Design

It’s common for people to start down one career path only to find they really would like to do something else later in life. If you’re considering switching to a web design career, there are some great options for you, depending on your commitment level.

Educational institutions are built to train, even retrain people for their desired careers. You can find a number of schools that can be attended entirely online. These programs are great for people who are working and need flexible schedules. 

Certificate programs are really well suited for this type of person. They are designed for adult learners, often those seeking a career change. An undergraduate certificate in web design or a professional certificate in web design is a great way to start a path towards a new occupation. 

Career Resources

You can’t have enough professional resources when planning a career path in illustration. An illustrator can always be developing a new skill, working on improving a portfolio, or networking. There are some great places to dig around if you have the time.

World Organization of Webmasters (WOW)

World Organization of Webmasters (also known as WebProfessionals) is a non-profit association of web professionals. This group is dedicated to individuals and other organizations that create, market or manage websites. 

WOW provides training and education resources and certifications for web professionals at all stages of their careers. They also advocate on behalf of web professionals of all types. On their website you can find information on events and links to many resources for web professionals. 

American Webmasters Association (AWA)

The American Webmasters Association is a professional association founded to support and connect individuals and organizations who are responsible for managing, creating and marketing websites. AWA provides members with learning opportunities and access to information that is important for those who wish to excel.

Creating Your Web Designer Portfolio

Once you acquire the skills and start building a work history, how can you show it to prospective employers or clients? You build a stellar portfolio to show it all off, of course. Here are some tips to get you started in the right direction.

Create

You need to have material to build your portfolio with, so the first thing you need to do is build that body of work. If you can create a print version of your work to go along with your digital portfolio, you’ll be able to carry it with you to interviews and show it in real time. A website is a great way to show off your skills as a web designer. 

A good web design portfolio should showcase your best work in a way that makes sense and looks great. Don’t make it overly complicated and let your work tell the story. Make sure to choose a theme and layout that pulls it all together. If you have trouble simplifying it, try focusing on your specialized skills.

Evolve

So now you’re finished, right? Not exactly. A portfolio is never truly finished. As you create more work, you will need to add it to your portfolio. If you haven’t updated your portfolio for awhile, you might want to completely redo it from scratch. Use the feedback that you receive from people to constantly improve your work.

In web design, new technologies and programs are constantly being created. In order to prove you can stay abreast of all the new tools, you need to show it in your portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Available Programs

This guide was brought to you by Sessions College. Sessions College is a fully online, accredited school of visual arts offering an exciting range of degree and vocational programs in web design and related fields. Below is information on selected programs.

The Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Web Design program offers an intensive two-year degree for students seeking to enter careers as Web designers with a focus on visual and interactive design. Designed for high school graduates and adult learners, the program offers a strong foundation in visual design and a working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design provides a foundation in visual design and coding for the Web. Students gain an understanding of the fundamentals of digital imaging, color, and typography and how implement them using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students learn graphic design and coding skills practiced by front end designers, applying them to projects to develop the concepts, layouts, images, and code for responsive websites.

In the Professional Certificate in Web Design program, students build proficiency in the technologies that Web design clients and employers demand. Students explore the fundamentals of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, learning visual design techniques to make their work stand out. Students focus on how to create page layouts for standards-compliant Web sites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Bootstrap, designing sites that are functional and attractive.