Department Head
A welcome from Piper Nilsson, Web Design Certificate program department head
Piper Nilsson is an experienced designer and information architect. She serves as Web Design Certificate program department head and is consistently a top instructor. Her welcome message for prospective certificate students provides her real-world insights into the Web design industry and working as a freelancer. Read her bio of professional experience.
A Message to Students from Piper Nilsson
Knowing how to build Web sites is a great way to make friends. Over the years, I've designed sites for a wedding photographer, a holistic vet, a gardening service, a furniture restorer, a tour guide, and a Reiki Master.
No project is too big or small for me, and actually, I enjoy the small projects the most. Nothing feels better than hearing that someone got a new client from a Web site you designed.
My career as a Web designer began with getting a good design education, both at school and professionally. I trained as a graphic designer and began my Web design career at a big interactive agency in New York. But I soon saw the appeal of doing Web design as a freelancer and a teacher.
The Sessions Web Design Certificate program provides students with entry-level professional skills in visual design for the Web. In the program, students learn not just the technology and software skills required to build today's HTML and CSS-based Web pages, but also the fundamental design skills to create sites that have effective navigation, information design, and overall usability.
I see each Web site as a persona. Just as the ancient Greeks used theatrical masks on stage to depict different characters and emotions, we use color, typography, and imagery to represent ourselves online.
Business goals are also very important. It is necessary to understand your client's goals and work philosophy in order to create an authentic online presence. If your design hits the mark, the Web site will be relevant and useful.
Learning how to plan, design, and build a Web site can be both fulfilling and rewarding. After you've got the basic groundwork covered, you can focus more on the design side (if you're a right-brainer), or delve deeper into programming languages (left-brainer). You can choose the lifestyle you want—whether you prefer to work in a design studio or freelance from home.
I very much hope that the Sessions Web Design program enables you to create visually entertaining, compelling, and intelligent Web sites. Best of luck!
– Piper Nilsson, Web Design Certificate program department head
Web Design Certificate program department head 
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