{"id":439,"date":"2022-03-01T20:26:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T20:26:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.computerscience.org\/?p=439"},"modified":"2023-09-06T20:54:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T20:54:33","slug":"web-designer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.computerscience.org\/careers\/web-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Web Designer Careers"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Do Web Designers Do?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Students who learn web design online develop creative and technological skills. Website designers must ensure their sites are engaging. Once they finish their creations, designers pass their ideas to web developers who bring the plans to life.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Learners who want to go into this field must first decide what type of website design they wish to pursue. For example, some designers double as developers. These students can find web design schools online to help them develop the appropriate skills.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With an online web design degree and impressive portfolio examples, a graduate can pursue work with advertising agencies or in-house marketing teams. As online marketing continues to grow, web design allows creative people to work in high-paying jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS) projects the demand for multimedia design<\/a> to grow slightly faster than average at 8%, and web development to grow 15% by 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Top Online Programs<\/h2>\n

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and \r\nflexibility you need to take your career to the next level.<\/p>\n <\/sonic-editorial-listings>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Key Skills for Web Designers<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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User Interface Design:<\/dt>\r\n
According to PayScale, web designers with this skill earn about 7% more than their peers<\/a> without it, which makes it a valuable skill for web designers. User interface design allows professionals to see their creations through the eyes of an end user with no design experience. Learners acquire these skills through certifications or degree programs.<\/dd>\r\n
HTML:<\/dt>\r\n
Coding in this primary language is a vital skill for most web designers. They must know HTML to succeed at many of the other items on this list. For example, Adobe Dreamweaver relies heavily on HTML knowledge. Candidates can learn HTML through undergraduate programs, including certificates and associate degrees.<\/dd>\r\n
JavaScript:<\/dt>\r\n
This critical skill allows web designers to work on developing the websites they create. Learners who take courses in JavaScript appeal to more employers. Students can take JavaScript classes as electives in undergraduate programs or as part of web developer certificates<\/a>. Some master\u2019s degrees include this skill as well.<\/dd>\r\n
Adobe Dreamweaver:<\/dt>\r\n
Adobe<\/a> creates software products for creative professionals of all kinds. Dreamweaver<\/a> is one of the company's offerings and remains an industry-standard program for web designers. This all-in-one tool allows web designers to work with other professionals, like developers and project managers, to complete their websites.<\/dd>\r\n
Adobe Photoshop:<\/dt>\r\n
This Adobe product is a must-have for graphic designers of all kinds, including web designers. Designers use it to edit and combine images. Like other Adobe products, learners often become familiar with this software through classes and simply using it regularly. Students can also find many online tutorials, including those on Adobe\u2019s website.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Additional Key Skills for Web Designers<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While web designers usually possess creative skills and an eye for design, they must also hone technical skills. For example, successful designers know how to utilize specialized software to create their plans. Many web designers also learn to code. User experience skills can help these professionals build websites that not only look great but also help visitors find what they need. PayScale<\/a> reports web designers most often display these essential skills:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Adobe Illustrator:<\/dt>\r\n
Whereas Photoshop allows professionals to edit existing photographs, Illustrator<\/a> works best for creating original vector images. Web designers often use this program in conjunction with others. Designers also use this software to make things like logos, typography, and icons for websites. Learners can take official college courses for credit or learn this skill online; however, university courses may look better on resumes.<\/dd>\r\n
Adobe InDesign:<\/dt>\r\n
This Adobe program allows users to publish their creations from other Adobe applications. InDesign provides designers with the ability to publish in both print and digital media platforms. Professionals sometimes use InDesign to send final designs and create their portfolios. Some schools provide specialized courses for this program while others include it as parts of broader publishing classes.<\/dd>\r\n
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS):<\/dt>\r\n
CSS plays an essential role in making website designs go live. Although developers use HTML to create the structure of their sites, CSS gives websites their look and feel. Writing CSS is a vital skill for web designers looking to advance in their careers.<\/dd>\r\n
Graphic Design:<\/dt>\r\n
Although the technical skills above help shape careers, successful web designers must demonstrate excellent graphic design skills. This broad term includes understanding fundamental design principles and when to break the rules for great effect. While learners typically acquire software skills in one or two courses, students often need to complete full degrees to hone these talents.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Much Do Web Designers Make?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Although the chart below shows the average salaries of web designers at different experience levels, the number of years in the field does not solely define a designer's earning potential. Professionals may earn more based on their industry, location, employer, and education level. For example, Payscale reports that self-employed web designers earn above-average salaries. Furthermore, those in cities like New York<\/a> and San Francisco<\/a> make higher wages, which offsets the above-average living costs. Although the BLS does not separate web designers into a unique category, it shows that developers earn more<\/a> in the publishing and computer systems industries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Average Salary of Web Designers by Job Level<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Entry-Level (0-5 Years)<\/td>$44,000<\/td><\/tr>
Mid-Career (5-10 Years)<\/td>$52,000<\/td><\/tr>
Experienced (10-20 Years)<\/td>$56,000<\/td><\/tr>
Late-Career (20+ Years)<\/td>$61,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Source: Payscale<\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n
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