Website designing skills are high in demand in today's job market. A website designer or web designer has the responsibility of building, maintaining and updating websites. They are specially trained to create websites that have an appealing look, effectively communicate a message and are easy to use for the audience. Though the job responsibilities of a web designer may vary a little depending on their special skills and work experience, their basic responsibilities remains the same. If you aspire to become a website designer, you should have all the essential information about this career including the job description, typical job duties, education and qualification required and the career prospects that await you in this occupation.

 

Job Description
Since a dynamic web presence has become a part and parcel of every business, the demand for skilled web designers seems to escalate continuously. It is the designer who creates the attractive look and feel of websites. The entire designing work starts with an initial meeting with clients. Designers first sit with clients and understand the latter's business goals and what targets the latter wants to achieve through a website. During the meeting, web designers discuss important website issues with clients including the web page layout, site organization, features, types of images/ videos/ illustrations to be used, color combination etc.

 

It is only after the website designer has completely understood the business goals and the graphic design requirements of clients that the entire web designing work begins. Once the basic layout has been created, the designer seeks the approval of the client. After the basic lay out has been approved, the web designer starts gathering all the resources to create the final layout or design of the web page along with other functional elements and features.

 

Depending on the type of the work project undertaken, a web designer can either work alone or as part of team. Senior designers are responsible for delegating responsibilities to other designers and supervising the entire design work, from start till the finalization of the website. To perform their work efficiently, the designer must be well versed with computer language HTML (hyper text markup language) along with other extension programs for adding animation features to the webpage. In addition, the website designer should also have knowledge of working with FTP (file transfer protocol), a software program used to upload and download files.

 

To remain competitive in the field of web designing, designers need to more than one type of code. The more computer language and codes the designer knows, the more demand they have in the job market. HTML, XHTML, Javascript and PHP are the common programming languages that these professionals should know. A website designer does not only function as a programmer, but they are actually artists responsible for building websites that immediately catch the attention of visitors.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
To become a web designer, candidates need to formally trained fine arts or graphic design. Additional college courses in computer science will prove to be of great advantage. There are multiple graphic design schools and colleges that offer degree programs in fields like web designing, graphics design etc. Candidates can choose from four year college degree, associate degree and certification programs. All web designers need to be well trained in graphics software packages including Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Adobe Illustrator and should possess knowledge of HTML, XHTML, Flash and other related web applications. In addition, designers should have the capability to work with a variety of computer operating systems. Website designing professionals also need to keep themselves up to date with the changing web technologies and latest design trends.

 

Job Outlook
Job prospects for web designers are very good. According to the US Department of Labor the web designing jobs will grow at 13% through to the year 2018. Employment opportunities will be best for those who are well versed with both the creative (graphics) and the technical (programming) aspects of the web designing process. Many professionals in this field work as freelancers. Candidates will need to face tough competition occupying web design jobs. To enhance your chances for landing jobs, you should obtain work experience both in web design and computers.

 

Annual Salary
Salaries of web designers vary widely depending on the work location and skill sets and work experience they carry. They earn a median annual salary of around $59,894. With growing work experience and skills, these professionals can earn a higher salary.

Graphic artists or graphic designers have plenty of job opportunities offered by the interactive media. Though candidates may face keen competition landing graphic designing jobs, there will be no dearth of career opportunities for those possessing extensive experience in website design and animation. If you are planning to become a graphic designer, you should equip yourself with all the essential career information including job description, typical job duties, educational qualification required and the career prospects that await you in this occupation.

 

Job Description
Graphic designers work with both print and electronic media. The main job duty of these artists is to get the message across to the audience using a variety of techniques like photography, animation, illustration etc. These designers are responsible for creating innovative layout and production design for magazines, newspapers, journals and other publications. They also hold the responsibility of producing promotional material including business logos, displays, brochures and packaging among others.

 

Today, a large number graphic designing professionals work for the interactive media, multimedia projects and internet web pages. At first, graphic artists or designers are required to understand the individual requirements of the clients. In tune with the business goals of clients, designers produce designs that effectively communicate the message and attract the audience instantly.

 

Depending on the target audience clients may have, designers need to consider a number of factors in mind including physical, cultural and social factors. They also take into account multiple visual elements including color, sound, style, animation, artwork etc. Designer may also closely work with art directors depending on the requirements of the work projects.

 

Graphic designers are proficient in multiple computer software packages. They use graphic tools and software packages to design various elements and animate graphical objects. A designer may work alone or in a team depending on the bulkiness of the project. They may also have design assistants to help themselves complete tasks efficiently.

 

Work Environment
Working environment may vary depending on the type of employer graphic artists work for. Advertising companies, publishing firms designing companies offer comfortable work settings and well lighted environment. Designers employed with these companies work regular hours. On the other hand, professionals who are self employed work out their own schedules. Designers employed in the printing and publishing industry may need to put in some extra hours to complete work within the given deadline.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
A bachelor's degree in graphic design is the standard requirement to occupy entry level and advanced graphics design job positions. There are several colleges, universities and design colleges that offer degree programs in subjects like fine arts, graphic design etc. The coursework for these bachelor degree programs includes training in areas like design principles, studio art, printing techniques, graphics production, website design etc.

 

In addition to bachelor degree programs, many professional design schools also offer associate degree programs and certificate courses in graphic design. These 2-year and 3-year courses can also help bachelor degree holders (in another field) learn the technical skills of the trade and kick-start a career in the field of graphics designing. To make the most of their careers and become successful, designers need to keep themselves abreast of the latest design software, graphics tool and technologies.

 

Job Outlook
In the year 2008, graphic designers occupied around 286,100 jobs in the United States. Most of these design jobs were in the advertising and publishing industry. Many designers also complete assignments on a freelance basis, in addition to having a salaried job. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth in this occupation will be as fast as the average of all other occupations. Projected employment growth in this field is 13 per cent from the year 2008 through to the year 2018.

 

Annual Salary
In May 2008, graphic artists or designers earned a median annual salary of $42,400. Salaries of professionals, however, vary depending on the type and size of the employer and the work experience they carry. Those who work for specialized design services earn around $45,870 annually. With extensive working experience and growing skill sets, graphic designers can earn an annual salary as high as $74,660.

Design oriented high school graduates should search online for industry specific degree programs in design. The online design schools can help such young high school graduates in a meaningful way. The thriving online design and technology academy offers more than a degree course to students. It provides hands-on training to students on various topics. You can earn associate of online applied sciencedegrees, online bachelor of fine arts degrees or online diplomas in design, fine arts or a relevant field.

 

Online Associate of Applied Science Degrees:

1. Fashion Design
2. Interior Design
3. Visual Communication
4. Fashion Merchandising
5. Game Design and Development

 

Online Diploma Programs:

1. Fashion Design and Marketing
2. Graphic Design

 

Online Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees:

1. Digital Media and Production
2. Fashion Design
3. Graphic Design
4. Interior Design
5. Fashion Merchandising
6. Game Design and Development
7. Fashion Design and Marketing
8. Visual Communication

 

Benefits of Getting Enrolled in an Online Degree Program

Select one of the online design programs and chalk out your study schedule. The study material is available in print, audio and video form. Students can download the study material from internet to learn at home. The availability of online instructors makes it easy for students to get guidance whenever they require. You can also ask questions to professors through e-mail. The online study material is far better than printed books as online material gets updated regularly.

 

It is possible for a student to earn his or her online design degree in less than two years. Design schools do not stipulate any fix time frame for completing online design programs. On the other hand conventional colleges take four years of regular coaching to teach designing. The saved time can be invested in gaining practical work experience by the students.

 

Saving traveling expense, hostel rent and books makes pursuing online design programs much affordable than learning design in conventional universities. The cost effective fee structure of online design courses inspires even those students to earn online design degrees, who cannot attend conventional colleges. Flexibility of online design programs helps working students to earn online design degrees while they are busy in earning for their family.

 

Students with disabilities, who cannot attend a regular design school, can take online design schools as a boon for them. They can earn online design degrees without visiting a campus physically. The online method of teaching helps them to remain at home while they attend online classes. Enrollment for online design programs runs throughout the year. Aspiring students can apply anytime in the year they feel comfortable.

 

Applying for Online Degree Programs in Design

Students must be careful while applying for an online design program. Remember the online school in which you are going to enrolled must be accredited by the US government. If not then you will certainly going to waste your money and time as well. Although internet can give you access to a number of online design schools but what about accreditation? Students have to verify the accreditation of online design schools they find.

 

By visiting an online directory you will have the access to some most prestigious design schools such as International Academy of Design and Technology-Seattle, Sacramento, San Antonio and Las Vegas.

 

Students can access their preferred design and technology academy for enrolling in their online design program by filling a simple online form. There are request to information forms allotted to each online design academy on online directories. You can fill them to let an admission counselor help you gain more information regarding online programs. All the information is provided to students by the online directories free of cost.