Today’s business world is increasingly turning to the web to offer customers more options and keep overhead costs low.
As the demand grows, so does the need for web designers.
Currently, web design is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, with no signs of slowing down any time soon.
With so much potential for work, web designers have the opportunity to make a substantial living, all while using their creativity and being able to work in the office or remotely.
Web Designer Information
| Official Job Title | Web Designer |
| Average Salary | $56,274 |
| Stress Level | High |
| Work/ Life | Above average |
| Job Satisfaction | High |
| Career Advancement | High |
Web Designer Job Description
What Is A Web Designer?
A web designer is someone who designs websites for different companies.
It’s your job to ensure the functionality of the site and create a nice visual appearance.
Web designers are also responsible for redesigning poorly laid out websites to make them more streamlined and operational.
What Does A Web Designer Do?
Web designers are responsible for many different aspects of web design.
As a web designer, your job is to design and build highly effective, aesthetically pleasing websites custom-tailored to each customer’s specifications.
You must have an open dialogue with the customer, ensuring you meet their desire for the look and feel of the site you’re creating.
The possibilities cover anything from the website’s layout to the colors, fonts, and graphics that promote the customers’ business.
Responsibilities, Duties, and Roles Of A Graphic Designer
Web designers have many different responsibilities.
You are in charge of creating an entire website from scratch or figuring out how to redesign a poorly made site.
After speaking to the client, you must design the best layout for the site they want you to create.
From there, you must make sure to add all relevant information the client wants to include in a way that makes sense.
You must also choose the color scheme and graphics that align with the overall feel of the site.
No detail is too small, and it’s your job as the web designer to make sure everything flows well and the website’s interface is easy to use.
You must also maintain constant contact with your client to address any changes or concerns they may have.
As a web designer, you are an architect, human resource manager, designer, and computer tech all rolled into one.
Web Designer Salary
Average Salary
Listed below are examples of an average annual salary:
- Salary.com – $65,601
- Ziprecruiter.com – $60,240
Starting Salary
Listed below are examples of typical starting salaries:
- Salary.com – $52,504
- ZipRecruiter.com – $41,000
Senior Salary
Listed below are examples of typical senior salaries:
- Salary.com – $79,422
- Ziprecruiter.com – $97,000
How To Become A Web Designer
The Entry Level: Certification, Training, And Degree
There are no formal certifications, training, or degrees needed to become a web designer.
However, if you’re interested in demonstrating that you have web design knowledge or wish to expand your skill set, consider online courses such as the following:
- Webflow University: Ultimate Web Design Course
- Adobe’s Web Authoring Using Adobe Dreamweaver
- Google Analytics IQ
- Responsive Web Design Certification by freeCodeCamp
Having a creative and analytical mind is the first and foremost requirement.
The job entails having a solid understanding of how website creation works and using that to design it.
If your goal is to work at the corporate level, you may find it necessary to have up to a master’s degree, but for less formal jobs, a strong portfolio with different examples of your work may suffice.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements, And Qualifications
Web designers must know how to use HTML coding and understand CSS, UI, and UX.
If you don’t have a proficient understanding of how to layout a website and create a well-flowing interface, your result will be hard to navigate and may not meet your client’s needs.
It’s also essential to have a keen eye for color and fonts, as this will help you design a sleek product and draw in the target customer base for the site.
As a web designer, you must have a flexible mindset to create a website exactly as the client envisions it.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Web Designer?
Since there are no formal degrees or training to become a web designer, the amount of time it takes is dependent on each individual.
If you are already highly skilled in web design and technically savvy, you can begin working as a web designer right away.
However, if you are still trying to figure out how to set up websites with coding and design, you may not be ready to work for a client yet.
Is It Hard To Become A Web Designer?
If you are willing to put in the hard work necessary, it isn’t hard to become a web designer.
You can take many helpful courses if you aren’t confident with the systems you must know to be proficient at the job.
Web Designer Career Paths
The Web Designer Roadmap
To become a web designer, you must first understand how coding works.
If not, that should be your first goal.
Once you are comfortable coding, you can begin making practice sites.
Make sure the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) flow and make sense while providing a stress-free environment for customers.
Once you are confident you can make a successful site, you can begin filling out resumes.
Don’t be afraid to start small or look for freelance work.
The more jobs you complete, the better your resume looks.
Projections For Growth In Web Design
The web design field’s projected growth is exponential over the next ten years.
As more companies choose to go virtual, they will need effective sites to reach their target customer base.
In Summary: Is Web Designer A Good Career?
Being a web designer is an excellent career that offers unlimited growth and many opportunities.
Web designers receive good pay and have the flexibility to work either remotely or from the office.
Working Conditions
Can A Web Designer Work Remotely From Home?
Yes!
Web designers can work remotely from home or in the office, depending on their employer.
How Many Hours Does A Web Designer Work?
Since creating websites can be difficult, it is not uncommon to work more than forty hours a week as a web designer.
Working for a company may have a more set schedule, but your hours will be more varied as a freelancer.
Can A Web Designer Work Part-Time?
Yes!
Web designers can work part-time.
Websites like Joblist have multiple jobs available for both full and part-time work.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Web Designer?
Generally, vacation days for a web designer employed full-time by a company begin at ten and can increase to twenty-four.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Web Designer
- UI Developer
- Product Manager
- UX Designer
- Film Editor
- Multimedia Artist
- Sound Engineer
- Product Engineer
- Video Game Writer
- Application Developer
- Computer Engineer
- Technical Program Manager
- DevOps Engineer
- AI Engineer
- Cloud Architect
Web Designer Resume Tips
Being a web designer is incredibly competitive, so setting yourself apart from the crowd is essential.
Some key tips for your resume include:
- List all the software and technical skills you are proficient in
- Include any degrees or courses you have taken
- List all the attributes that make you a great web designer (organization skills, concise communication, eye for design, etc.)
- Include how many years of experience you’ve had with any coding or website design
Web Designer Interview Questions
Q1: Do you prefer to work alone or with a group?
Why it works: Asking this question during an interview can help you determine the candidate’s level of self-discipline and ability to complete projects without being highly managed.
Q2: Do you get overwhelmed when things don’t go as planned?
Why it works: It is essential to know if and how the candidate handles stressful situations in a high-stress, high-pressure environment.
Q3: Do you enjoy interacting with others?
Why it works: knowing how the candidate feels about working with others will tell you how they may react to difficult or demanding customers.
Jobs Related To Web Designer
If you are interested in jobs similar to being a web designer, here are a few choices:
- Graphic Designer
- Multimedia Artist
- Advertising Manager
- Digital Designer
- WordPress Developer
For HR Manager: Tips For Hiring A Web Designer
Key Characteristics To Look For In A Web Designer
When looking for a web designer, the key characteristics you should look for are:
- Creative
- Hard-working, self-disciplined
- Open to constantly learning new things
- Technical knowledge of coding and design
- Ability to interact well with customers
- Takes correction well
Minimum Level Of Education And Experience
There is no set level of education needed to work as a web designer.
A degree can be helpful if it aligns with the job requirements.
However, candidates who have taken courses related to web design may better understand how to use specific systems or user interfaces and may have a more specified skillset.
Being highly experienced is not a required attribute, but generally speaking, the more experience a candidate has, the better they will perform.
It is good to look at each portfolio and resume with an open mind to have better insight into the candidate regardless of their education and experience.