An individual who is Internet-savvy, artistic and enjoys creating designs may decide to become a Web designer. If you've ever been on a website and really enjoyed the designs and drawings, you can give thanks to the Web designer. To become a Web designer typically requires a degree and some experience designing websites. Here is an overview of Web designers, including how to become a Web designer, what they do and what type of wages they can earn.
What is a Web Designer
A Web designer is the artist behind the designs, drawings and words found on websites. The Web designer must have an understanding of HTML and an artistic ability to make a website aesthetically appealing. To be able to design or redesign websites, the Web designer must be both technically-inclined and creative so that he or she can not only make the site appealing but also make it functional and easy to use.
How to Become a Web Designer
To become a Web designer, the individual is probably going to need a degree. Although some employers may require the candidate possess a bachelor's degree in website design, computer science or related field, others may hire an applicant with an associate's degree in Web design.
In some cases, an individual may be hired without a degree if he or she is proficient in Web designs and computer programming. Because Web design is such a competitive field, the applicants with the most experience and education have the best chance of being hired for the best positions. Courses aspiring Web designers take include digital media, animation and multimedia design, Web design, database management, programming concepts, and networking.
Web designers may obtain certifications through professional organizations, software companies and continuing education programs. While this is not required, it can be beneficial to an applicant, particularly if the applicant does not have a bachelor's degree.
Web Designer vs. Web Developer
Although the terms Web designer and Web developer are often used interchangeably, and many people think they are the same, they are very different. While they do have many connections, they're still two different professionals. The Web designer is the individual who creates and draws the designs and pictures on a website. The Web developer is the individual who does the coding for the designs and puts them on the website and makes the website work.
An example would be like a home contractor and home builder. The contractor puts together the designs for a home and transfers onto blueprints. The blueprints are then given to the contractor, who builds the home based on the designs and blueprints. In this case, the Web designer is the contractor and the Web developer is the builder.
Another example of the difference can also be found in the wages for the two. As of an April 2018 wage report by Salary.com, Web designers earned an average annual wage of $74,054. Web developers, on the other hand, earned annual wages that ranged from $80,000 to $100,000 or more.
Related Resource: 25 Best Master's in Web Design Online 2018
Web designers can be described as artistically talented individuals. A well-designed Website can make a big difference in the amount of traffic a site gets as well as the amount of sales it receives. As the Internet continues to be such a large part of our lives, the Web designer will also be a hot commodity, making it a good idea for the talented artist to become a Web designer.