A web designer job description demonstrates that they work exclusively with web pages in order to create a page that fits the need. A web designer is similar to a web developer but they focus on different aspects. The web developer focuses on the backend and the designer is focused on the appearance of the website. Sometimes one person can perform both of these responsibilities and other times they are separated into two distinct roles. The web designer will frequently use analytics on site traffic to identify potential trouble areas for the site.

This web designer job description will go into detail on the responsibilities and skills needed. In addition, any required education and experience is described. Finally, the typical working schedule and job outlook are included. The goal of including these sections is to give the reader a thorough understanding of a web design job description.

What Does a Web Designer Do?

A web designer job description entails focusing on the structure and function of a website. This means that in addition to being concerned about the appearance of the website, they need to make sure it works. These professionals are knowledgeable in many different areas including HTML, CSS, jQuery, and Javascript. It is expected that this professional will have an awareness of programming languages in order to be conversant with other IT professionals.

web designer

The education required for a web designer is portfolio focused. This means that while some of these professionals will have their bachelor’s degree, it is also common for people to have a well-developed portfolio without a formal degree. According to Payscale, the median salary for a web designer is $48,632 dollars.

Web Designer Job Description for Resume – Responsibilities

The following responsibilities are typically sought after in a web designer. Take these and customize them to make them your own.

  • Work with the user experience team in order to make revisions to websites to make them user-friendly.
  • Engage with clients and identify their website needs based on an assessment.
  • Write code for websites using HTML, CSS, or XML.
  • Collaborate with web developers to ensure the website is functioning on both the back and front end.
  • Partner with graphic designers to create visuals for the website.
  • Use Google Analytics to monitor website traffic, specifically looking at bounce and exit rates.
  • Conduct testing on website pages to ensure they are working.

Web Designer Essential Skills

  • Design skills. A web designer needs to have an excellent background in effective design. This will improve the user experience of the website.
  • Coding skills. A web designer needs to have a mastery of basic coding languages and how they work together. For example, they should know how CSS and HTML speak in coding language.
  • Teamwork skills. A web designer works as part of an overall information technology team. They must be able to communicate effectively with this team to make a functioning web presence.
  • Lifelong learning skills. Web design is a field that is constantly changing. Being able to learn new technologies and join coding communities like Github demonstrate a commitment to improving.

This list was based on a list from Web Designer Depot.

How to Become a Web Designer

Most web designers will have their bachelor’s degree in an information technology-related field. However, this is not required. There are many boot camps and other opportunities to learn web design in an informal setting.

Education & Training Requirements

Web design classes will cover concepts such as HTML, Javascript, publishing tools, programming, IT systems. Peripheral classes should cover the basics of fields like software or systems engineering. This is because a basic understanding of these concepts will make for a more well-rounded and diversified web designer.

There are various certifications that a web designer can get. However, the most important piece of evidence they will carry with them is their portfolio. This portfolio serves as a track record of their work and gives the employer an idea of what to expect.

An example of a certification program is offered by Sessions education. This is the type of certification to take for those that do not have formal education. It covers topics such as Dreamweaver, HTML, JSS, and JavaScript.

Work Experience

While it is possible to get started as a web designer with no experience, this is not very common. The reason for this is that it is very easy to show experience through the portfolio. Even recent college graduates can have a portfolio of their work to show employers. If a student is looking for places to gain this experience, they should search for nonprofit organizations that will frequently hire someone to do their design work pro bono.

A web designer should definitely have their own website and social media presence to brand themselves and network. On this website, they can include previous work and reviews from clients. This is important because even a web designer who works for a company will likely freelance at some point.

Work Schedules

Web designers can work part of full-time and can be employed by a company or self-employed. It is a very flexible career in terms of work location and hours. However, once a website is in maintenance mode, the designer may need to be available during office hours in case there is an issue with the website.

An example of the flexibility in this career comes from a freelance web designer. He begins working at about 10 AM and stops work at around 9 PM. This includes breaks for meals. A web designer can plan the entire website and then hire additional people to manage specific parts of the job. Interestingly, he feels that by working remotely people feel that he should charge less for the same quality of work as someone who commutes.

Career Prospects

The job outlook of a web designer is extremely positive. In fact, this field is projected to grow 27 percent through the year 2024. The main reason for the increase in jobs is the fact that even small businesses need to have an online presence. A web designer who can create responsive design will be highly sought after. This is because mobile devices make up such a large portion of internet users.

The salary range for web designers spans from $33,912 to $73,108. They can expect to earn some level of bonus, profit share, and commission. The highest commission reported on Payscale was $29,087 dollars.

A web designer can easily advance in their career with the right education. They can become a project manager or systems administrator in information technology.

Conclusion

A web designer job description shows that they have a very important job in the digital age. They are responsible for the look and function of a website and are the first people who get contacted if a website is not working. There are many different career paths to being a web designer and the job is very flexible. If you enjoy working with computers and having the option to work remotely, then this could be the perfect career for you! And if you want to know more about the specific responsibilities of a web developer, here is the guide for you.