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 designers create visual presentations to get across messages using the right combination of color, style, illustrations and text layouts. Their work may be displayed in print, electronic and film media. Their work may be displayed in newspapers, magazines, ezines, newsletters, websites, games and other interactive multimedia. Graphic designers are hired to create corporate logos and designs; they are also hired to create promotional displays, marketing catalogues and corporate literature. At http://www.degreeauthority.com/ students will learn how to select the right educational programs that will help them prepare for successful careers in various fields including that of graphic design.

 

What Do Graphic Designers Do?

Graphic designers will have to interact with their clients, assess their needs and put together a visual presentation that will get across the right message. They work using various computer softwares such as PageMaker, Macromedia Fireworks, Flash, Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. The clients need to be able to get across what kind of design they have in mind and the graphic designer is given the task of bringing to life their ideas as visual designs and presentations. The designers need to work with demanding clients within strict timeframes that may make life a bit stressful for some while those who are creative and talented will thrive as graphic designers. Their work can be seen in various media, they can be seen in web pages, in newspapers, in CD labels, letterheads, and corporate logos among others.

 

Job Skills Required

We at http://www.degreeauthority.com/ intend to make it easier for students to make informed decisions regarding the educational pathway they choose. This will help them avoid making the wrong choice that may leave them at the cross road at some point in the future which can not only be unsettling but also very stressful. If students desire to become graphic designers it is imperative that they satisfy certain criteria. They must be good at art and drawing, be original and creative with their own unique styles. They must be able to understand needs of the clients and create designs that are not only visually appealing; they must also be persuasive enough to make sales. Good interpersonal skills, communication skills, and an eye for detail are also other skills that are required. They must be hard working and they must be able to meet deadlines constantly. They must be able to work under pressure and must be able to work as a team or independently. Those who have secured professional education in using computer software such as Adobe, Quark etc. have a better chance at success.

 

Studying Design

As students browse through http://www.degreeauthority.com/ they will be amazed at the many educational opportunities that are open to them in the field of design, including graphic design. Students can opt for a regular college education or they can select an online program offered by one of the reputed educational institutions. Students who opt for a program in graphic design will learn about designing in advertisements, publication design, multimedia design and animation. They will learn the basic concepts of design, they will learn about typography, technical drawing, imaging, still as well as life modeling and get the gist of color theory. They will also be trained in computer assisted drawing and art, and learn about creative problem solving. Students can opt for a certification, associate's, bachelor's or a master's degree program in graphic design. Students must remember that the curriculum may vary in different institutions. It is therefore recommended they find out in detail the coursework involved in each program before they make a choice. This is because some institutions offer animation where as others do not. Find out the kind of computer program that they train you in, are internship part of the program as they can help students gain first hand experience of their work environments, will they help in building your portfolio or is a portfolio necessary to gain admission into the college.

 

Degree Programs

There is confusion among students about opting for a two year associate's degree program or for a four year bachelor's degree program in graphic design. Associate's degree programs are not as costly, the class sizes are smaller, the students get individual attention and students get trained in the core skills of the trade. It is a fact that employers prefer students with a bachelor's or master's degree and the students do get more in depth knowledge of graphic design if they opt for a 4 year degree program. Associate's degree program are suitable for students who are educated and at cross roads. They also help students who seek entry level jobs as graphic design assistants and as drafters.

 

Graphic designers can opt to enter fields such as print design, marketing design, product packaging design, advertisement design, web design, desktop publishing design etc. Programs in graphic design are offered by many reputed educational institutions, both private and public. Students need not worry about financing their education as various financial aid packages are available. The students can also take up flexible online programs that will enable them to learn while they earn. They can take up programs at any one of the 250 educational institutions that are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

 

Career Outlook

In the year 2006 there were as many as 261,000 graphic designers. They earned a median annual salary of about $39,000. Some worked full time, some worked part-time, some were self employed while others were freelancers. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, the employment rate of growth is projected at 10% which is as fast as the average growth rate of all other occupations. There will be a demand for experienced and professionally qualified individuals and students who wish to take up programs in graphic design have made a wise choice.