How To Start Your Career As A Web Designer

As brick-and-mortar businesses continue to enter the digital space, thousands of opportunities await web designers and developers to help entrepreneurs with this transition. This steady growth in the industry makes a career in web design in-demand today and in the years to come. If you’re a beginner looking to tap into this market, there’s undoubtedly a spot available for you. Read on to figure out how you can start a career as a web designer. 

Job Description 

Let’s talk about what web designers do. 

For starters, web designers are individuals who possess a keen eye for creativity and technical computer skills. They combine these skills to craft a website that is attractive to help achieve the business goals of their clients.  

Professional web designers conduct UX research and plan the structure, content, and appearance of a website. They help identify what information should be included and for whom it’s intended. They use design elements that engage site visitors, which also helps convert visitors into clients in the process. In some cases, web designers also provide continuous support for site updates and maintenance. 

Finding Job Opportunities 

In terms of finding work, there are thousands of jobs available for web designers locally and internationally. There are three possible routes to choose from, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced web designer. 

Freelance Web Designer 

As a web designer, the only resources you’ll need are a computer and Internet connection. That’s it. This is the main reason many designers opt to become freelancers. 

Freelancing provides you with more flexibility than when employed. You get to enjoy the liberty of working anytime and anywhere as a freelance web designer. You’re also free to choose the projects you want to work on, based on the services you offer. 

Being your own boss is great, but be aware that freelancing also means you’re running your own business. That means spending more time finding clients, managing time wisely, marketing your service, and others. 

Agency Web Designer 

For those who wish to eliminate the pressure of running their own business, applying to an agency is one of your best options. 

One benefit of working at an agency is that you don’t have to worry about finding clients. Your agency will do that for you. 

The only downside is that you have less freedom to choose whether or not you’ll want to work on the projects your agency assigns you. 

In-House Web Designer 

If you wish to have the full corporate experience, you might fit the bill working as an in-house web designer. This means working full-time for an Internet-based company. 

Although you might be working on a few projects, being an in-house designer lets you see the whole process of creating a website, from planning down to deployment.  

Benefits 

Besides being a fun and exciting experience, working as a web designer has significant perks, only a few jobs offer. 

Always In-Demand 

As mentioned earlier, web designers are highly in-demand in every industry possible. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you can expect jobs in the web design and development industry to grow at 13% within 10 years. That means there are a plethora of opportunities that await web designers. Yes, even beginners can find entry-level positions or internships. 

Remote Work 

Now that employers are discovering the benefits of remote work to employees and even their business, they’re starting to implement these changes in their workforce. That being said, whether you’re an employed web designer or a freelancer, you can enjoy working anywhere, anytime. 

Access To Resources 

Web design and development is an ever-evolving industry. It’s impossible to keep up with trends in design that change year after year. But, the good news is, there are many resources available online for free. YouTube videos, design blogs, and other online tutorials produce regular content to keep web designers up to speed.  

Required Skillset 

By now, you’re probably thinking, “Well, this is an interesting career path. Where should I go to become a web designer?” 

Believe it or not, formal schooling isn’t a requirement in becoming a web designer.  

For beginners, what you need is to develop skills in visual design, programming languages, and other business management skills. 

You can learn these through online courses, tutorials, and books. If that seems boring to you, joining an in-person web design bootcamp might be your cup of tea. Do note that in-person boot camps may come with a hefty price tag. 

This way, you can avoid incurring large amounts of student debt and have more time honing your craft and finding clients to work with. 

Design Principles 

Designing websites is practically applying the art of visual design combined with computer languages. Web designers should be adept in basic design principles, like creating layouts and choosing a color palette and typography. 

Web Development Languages 

Many web designers wonder whether or not they need to learn web languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. But, the real question you should be asking is: “How much of these languages should you learn?” 

Because the world wide web is made up of these computer languages, it’s still beneficial for you to know the basics to understand how a website works. Web designers don’t need to be experts in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They need to know enough to understand the concepts and be able to communicate with backend developers. 

Digital Marketing 

Whether you plan on becoming your own boss as a freelancer or not, learning how to market your skills as a web designer properly can help jumpstart your career. 

As a web designer, you need to know how to utilize social media and search engine optimization (SEO) to increase your online presence and brand awareness. Although you may not be running a business, who you are is part of your personal branding. Create a professional LinkedIn profile to help potential employers see your credentials. 

As you’re honing your skills, prepare a portfolio of all the projects you’ve worked on. There’s no better way to sell yourself than to showcase all the beautiful projects you’ve created. 

Communication 

Excellent communication skills are also essential to include in your arsenal. It would be best if you learned how to communicate with clients to update them on your work status regularly. Please make sure you obtain feedback from them to ensure the quality of your work meets their expectations. 

Conclusion  

A career in web design is undoubtedly a viable option for creative individuals looking to pursue their passion for visual design. It’s a career option that doesn’t require going to a prestigious university. You can find all the resources you need online and for a low price. There’s plenty of work for web designers, and they have the liberty to choose to be their own boss or work in an office.