what is a web designer?
Research shows that more than 250,000 websites are created every day, and this number is likely to rise over time as technology keeps advancing. Once a website has been developed, the next step is to design it to improve user experience and make it appealing to visitors; this is where a web designer comes into play.
As a web designer, you are expected to create and build web pages and websites by using many different visual design elements. These visual design elements include:
- videos
- animations
- texts
- graphics
- photos
Depending on the nature of the task, you can either create a brand-new website or make updates to the layout and design of existing pages. Ideally, you are not primarily responsible for understanding how the code works. Instead, your focus should be on creating a website that is aesthetically pleasing and makes users happy every time they interact with it.
Would working as a web designer suit your visual design and UX design skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a web designer role.
web designer jobsaverage web designer salary
The salary of a web designer in Canada varies based on factors such as experience, location, and employer. Entry-level web designers typically earn between $45,000 and $55,000 annually, while mid-level designers may make $55,000 to $80,000, and senior-level designers with extensive experience can command salaries ranging from $80,000 to $100,000 or more.
These figures can be higher in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal due to the higher cost of living. Various factors, including company size, project complexity, and the designer's skills, influence the specific salary.
type of web designers
In tech, some positions have similar responsibilities as web designers. They include:
- ux designer whose responsibility is to create products that are intuitive, usable, and accessible;
- visual designer who is responsible for making backgrounds, icons, and buttons visually appealing;
- front-end web developer who works on the client side of websites but with more attention to the code;
- user interface (UI) designer who ensures products are accessible, inclusive, and responsive regardless of the browser you are using them on;
- information architect who puts content together in a precise way so you can have an easy time finding them.
working as a web designer
If you are wondering what your everyday work life would be like working as a web designer, keep reading to find out. It is worth noting that the responsibilities of a web designer never change regardless of the organization.
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What does a web designer do?
As a website designer, your job description is likely to have all of these responsibilities:
- providing support and assistance throughout the website design process
- conceptualizing thoughtful ideas about the website to ensure everything comes out as imagined
- coming up with design plans that you can then share with your clients
- ensuring that you only rely on design best practices to build websites that are in line with the industry’s standards and guidelines
- designing sample pages by focusing on fonts, colours, etc., and presenting them to clients for approval
- improving the website design and constantly carrying out tests to create the best possible UX
- incorporating features and functionalities into websites to ensure they perform as expected
- integrating CMS programs and data feeds of clients into websites
In addition, a web designer also carries out the following tasks on a regular basis:
- using wireframes, prototypes, site maps, process flows, and user flows to communicate design ideas
- optimizing websites for maximum speed and scalability
- working with research and marketing teams to incorporate brand elements into the site
- establishing design guidelines, best practices, and standards, potentially in a style guide document
- making sure the website works well on all devices, including tablet, mobile, and desktop
- working with a web development team and back-end developers to ensure web and app logic is integrated properly
- coming up with visual imagery for websites and making sure they meet the client’s branding demands
Despite the above numerous responsibilities, it is still worth noting that the exact duties of a website designer vary from one job to another.
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web designer work environment
As a web designer, you can work in an office, at home, or in a combination of the two since most of the tools you are bound to use are digital. Ideally, where you work as a website designer depends on the agreement between you and your employer.
Additionally, there are instances where you will have to work onsite, such as when meeting with a back-end web developer or a web development team to integrate web and app logic properly. You can carry out your duties remotely when they do not require that you work with a team.
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who are your colleagues?
Since the tasks you do as a web designer require that you work with other personnel, you will find yourself working closely with software engineers, content writers, product managers, and web developers. You need this group of individuals to create eye-catching products that make clients happy.
You are also likely to work with the marketing and sales team, executive-level management, and quality assurance teams. Simply put, web design is a job that requires collaborations with several departments in an organization for its objectives to be met.
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work schedule
The tech industry is ever-changing; hence, there is a lot to learn as a web designer. Besides, it is worth mentioning that the challenges you face are likely to vary and may require different skills to overcome; this means your work schedule may vary, depending on the task you are handling.
For example, in instances where clients or employers have urgent needs, you are likely to work overtime to ensure you do not inconvenience them in any way. Furthermore, as a web designer, you must be ready to work on weekends and holidays for the same aforementioned reasons.
If you work for a particular company, your work schedule is likely to be full-time, which translates to 35 hours a week. The intensity of the projects you are hired for is also likely to impact your work schedule. For instance, comprehensive web design projects for larger organizations are likely to take more hours to accomplish whereas less comprehensive design projects for individuals or smaller companies are likely to take fewer hours.
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job outlook for web designer
An experienced web designer has a wide range of skills and knowledge that are applicable to a wide variety of roles in website development and marketing planning. Many web designers move on to senior roles in the industry such as web developer, senior web designer, graphic designer, art director and project manager. Some also decide to strike out on their own. The demand for professionals with Web design experience is expected to grow at the same pace as technology.
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benefits of working for randstad as a web designer
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
web designer skills and education
In Canada, there are no strict educational requirements to become a web designer, but having formal education and relevant skills can be beneficial for your career. Here are some common educational paths and skills that can help you become a web designer:
- post-secondary education: many web designers have at least a diploma or bachelor's degree in a related field such as web design, graphic design, computer science, or a similar discipline. These programs can provide you with a solid foundation in design principles, programming, and web development.
- web design courses and certificates: you can also pursue shorter-term courses and certifications in web design. These programs are often offered by community colleges, universities, or private institutions and can focus on specific skills and tools commonly used in web design.
- self-learning and online resources: some web designers are self-taught, learning the necessary skills through online tutorials, books, and practice. You can gain proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design through self-study.
- portfolio development: regardless of your educational background, building a strong portfolio is crucial for a web design career. Your portfolio should showcase your design and coding skills. Many employers and clients are more interested in your actual work than your formal education.
skills and competencies
The last decade has seen the demand for web designers rise since most businesses are moving online. However, the increase in demand has come at a cost in the sense that most companies now prefer candidates who are masters of several coding languages, understand graphic design, and are able to execute digital strategy properly.
That said, the following are some of the skills you must have as a website designer:
- HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
- Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
- JavaScript
- Content Management Systems (CMS)
The following are additional skills necessary in your job as a web designer:
- web server management
- responsive design
- ui and ux
- graphic design
- colour theory
As a web designer, you must also have soft skills to help you execute your digital design plans successfully and with the utmost precision. These soft skills include:
- communication skills
- setting up projects
- critical thinking skills
- interpersonal skills
- patience
- being able to receive feedback
- project management
FAQs about working as a web designer
Here, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about web designers.
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what things should a web designer know?
A web designer may be a lucrative and promising job. However, a four-year bachelor’s degree alone may not be enough if you want to be successful in this job field. That said, it is important to have both technical skills and soft skills, as seen above.
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what challenges are web designers likely to face?
As a web designer, you are likely to be faced with many different challenges, depending on the size and nature of the task. Some of the common challenges you are likely to run into include:
- ensuring the website is easy to access
- balancing functionality and aesthetics
- ensuring the website is easy to navigate
- designing the website such that visitors appreciate using it
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what tools do website designers rely on to perform their duties?
As a website designer, you should be familiar with the following tools:
- WordPress
- Squarespace
- InVision Studio
- Photoshop
- Sigma
- Sketch
- ProofHub
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what is the difference between a web developer and a web designer?
The terms “web designers” and “web developers” are often used interchangeably. However, they are completely different based on roles. For instance, a web designer focuses on the look and feel of a website. On the other hand, a web developer uses the code to make a website work.
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do I have to know coding to be a web designer?
As a web designer, you are highly unlikely to deal with code; hence, the knowledge of coding may be unnecessary. However, companies have been having higher expectations to the extent that they prefer candidates who understand coding to some extent. It is, therefore, recommended that you take a course that sharpens your skills in coding.
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how do I find a job as a web designer?
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