Web Designer Job Description
Web Designer Job Description
A web designer creates the look, layout and features of a website. The job involves understanding both graphic design and computer programming. Once a website is created, a designer helps with maintenance and additions to the website. They work with development teams or managers for keeping the site up-to-date and prioritizing needs, among other tasks.
A web designer is responsible for creating a site or pages, this includes the design, layout and coding, this can mean working on a brand new website or updating an already existing site.
Responsibilities of the job include:
• CREATING WEB SITE DESIGNS
• PRODUCING SAMPLE SITES
• MEETING WITH CLIENTS TO DISCUSS REQUIREMENTS AND/OR PROJECT PROGRESS
• DEMONSTRATING AND RECEIVING FEEDBACK ABOUT DRAFT SITES
• KEEPING UP-TO-DATE WITH RECENT TECHNOLOGICAL AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENTS
• DEVELOPING SKILLS AND EXPERTISE IN APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE/PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES INCLUDING HTML, JAVASCRIPT AND OTHERS
• PRODUCING PRODUCTS THAT ARE USER-FRIENDLY, EFFECTIVE AND APPEALING
• WORKING AS PART OF A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM
There can be some pressure to meet deadlines when extra hours may be required. Promotional prospects are excellent for employees willing to change jobs regularly. Those with relevant experience can command good salaries.
TYPICAL EMPLOYERS OF WEB DESIGNERS
• SOFTWARE COMPANIES
• IT CONSULTANCIES
• SPECIALIST WEB DESIGN COMPANIES
• LARGE CORPORATE ORGANISATIONS
• ANY ORGANISATION THAT USES COMPUTER SYSTEMS.
Self-employment/freelance work is commonly possible for individuals with appropriate experience. Vacancies are advertised via the internet, on TARGETjobs by careers services and recruitment agencies, in newspapers and specialist publications including Computingand Computer Weekly as well as their online equivalents.
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING REQUIRED
A degree in any subject is acceptable for entry into the profession, although employers may seek graduates with relevant IT, computer science or engineering qualifications. Generally, computing experience or a postgraduate IT conversion course (for graduates without relevant degrees) can be useful. It is essential to provide employers with links to/sample demonstrations of web pages that you have produced.
KEY SKILLS FOR WEB DESIGNERS
• IMAGINATION
• CREATIVITY
• PATIENCE
• ATTENTION TO DETAIL
• ANALYTICAL SKILLS
• COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Web Designer Duties
A web designer's job duties cover all aspects of creating a website. Upon meeting with clients and assessing their needs, web designers help create and maintain the product. Their duties include, but aren't limited to, the following:
• Writing and editing content
• Designing webpage layout
• Determining technical requirements
• Updating websites
• Creating back up files
• Solving code problems
Web Designer Requirements
According to O*Net in 2014, 43% of web developers held a bachelor's degree, 27% had some college but no degree and 20% had an associate's degree. Web designers need education in computer technology and website design to be competitive in the job market.
An associate's degree program related to web design, such as an Associate of Applied Science in Web Graphic Design, provides a student with a foundation in the design and technical aspects of creating a website. Students learn web design skills and build professional portfolios that highlight their skills and abilities. Common topics include:
• Fundamentals of design imaging
• Basic web design
• Animation
• Multimedia design
• Content management
• Editing for video and audio
• Multimedia programming and technology
A bachelor's degree program in multimedia or web design allows students to learn advanced skills needed for professional web design. Students develop artistic and creative abilities in addition to technical skills. Degree programs, such as a Bachelor of Science in Web Design and Interactive Media, cover:
• Databases
• Webpage scripting
• Programming
• Digital imaging
• Multimedia design
• Web development
RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
Responsive web design term is related to the concept of developing a website design in a manner that helps the lay out to get changed according to the user’s computer screen resolution. More precisely, the concept allows for an advanced 4 column layout 1292 pixels wide, on a 1025 pixel width screen, that auto-simplifies into 2 columns. Also, it suitably fixes on the smartphone and computer tablet screen. This particular designing technique we call “responsive design”.
Responsive web designing is an entirely different designing version than traditional web designing, and developers (especially fresher) must know about the pros and cons of responsive web designing. This blog is a mighty example of the approach so we will reveal a few facts about the uses of responsive web designing. The basic instinct might be to choose media queries to develop a responsive site. However, the hassle one faces with media queries is that new queries can pop up from moment to moment; each time, the user experiences sudden and drastic changes to the look and organization of the site. Experts suggest using some CSS transitions to ease the jump.
Pages that include data tables pose a special challenge to the responsive web designer. Data tables are extremely wide by default, and when someone zooms out to see the whole table, it becomes too small to read. When one tries to zoom in to make it readable, he or she is supposed to scroll both horizontally and vertically to look through it. Well, there are several ways to avoid this problem. Reformatting the data table as a pie or mini-graph is an approved solution. The mini-graph fixes even in narrow screens.
Images in responsive web designs are called context-aware. This particular technique serves the purpose of responsive designing in true sense as the images serve at different resolutions, ranging from larger screens to smaller ones. The scaled images appear to change fluidly with the help of updated developer tools and coding languages, allowing designs to look sharp in every context. Responsive web designing is remarkably different from traditional designing in terms of technical and creative issues, and a careful use of this can do wonders while designing.
