Is web design hard?
If you are planning on venturing into website design, you must have asked yourself that question if you want to learn web development. Well, I think it’s safe to say, you are not the only one. Everyone who wants to become a web designer wants to know whether it’s the right decision. They also want to know if it’s hard to master website design concepts and if the job is doable and rewarding.
As such, you'll hear many questions from prospective web designers. What skills should I master to become a successful designer? Which tools do I need to use? Should I learn to code? Knowing about the best online web design certificate programs can help, too.
The answers to all these questions are significant to anyone who wants to become a web designer. So, is Web designing hard? We will discuss all the information you need to know. Let’s find out.
Why Consider Web Design?
The internet is full of websites in various niches. That means that people all over the world are creating websites. Thus, web designing is a lucrative career and exciting to learn, and you are sure to get employment. Additionally, we also help with a graphic design vs web design dilemma.
However, most people worry about how hard it is to pursue and learn website design as a career.
Well, there are some fundamentals of the job.
For instance, you need to have the right tools like Bulma Framework and other CSS frameworks to succeed in the job. The tools to use will depend on your area of work and what you want to achieve. All the same, there are some fundamental tools that every designer should have. For instance, you should have an understanding of version control. Version control, also known as Git, is a system that records the changes you make on your files, allowing you to refer to them later.
Website design is part of web development, which is a broader career.
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Web Development and Web Developer
Perhaps you've wondered, "What's behind a website that looks appealing and works well?"
Well, that’s the work of a web developer. A web developer is involved in the coding and programming of websites and apps on your mobile device.
Web development involves building and maintaining sites to ensure they offer the best user experience.
There are three types of web developers. These include:
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Frontend Developer
A front-end developer deals with the client-side of the website. They are interested in the layout, design, and interactivity to guarantee the best user experience.
Front-end web development is ideal for any individual with a creative personality and a concern for how things look.
Back-end Developer
The back-end developer is the brain behind the website. The web developer focuses on coding and provides all the data.
A back-end development job can be a perfect fit for logical thinkers. It involves server-side web development.
Full-Stack Developer
Full-stack developers are involved in both front-end and back-end web development.
It is perfect for people who are good at multitasking. It can also be a perfect choice if you like working on a project from beginning to end, ensuring the project runs smoothly and is successful.
Facts and Fiction About Web Development
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You Require All the Skills
There is a general misconception that you need to have all the skills to become a web developer. However, specializing in one main skill makes you more attractive to employers. Some of the skills on high-demand in the web development field include:
HTML
Nowadays, knowing how to code is important even for web designers. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is used to put content on a web page and give the page structure. It helps to turn a bunch of words into footers, paragraphs, and headings. You can also use it to add content such as photos, videos, and graphics to a site.
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HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers
CSS
CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets.
It is a code that informs the browser how to format the HTML programming language on a web page.
CSS enables you to change colours, add an appealing background and change the fonts. It is what makes the content on the page, including the text, look appealing.
UX
User experience refers to how people feel after using your website.
UX is the skill of approaching the site designs from a user perspective to get what they want.
You need to research your users and figure out the path they take on your site. For instance, do they click straight to social media, or are they looking for contact information?
JavaScript
Besides HTML and CSS, it is beneficial if you know other coding languages such as JavaScript. The scripting language helps to take the static elements of your site and make them more interactive.
Learning and be knowledgeable in more than one coding language also makes you more marketable and helps you beat the competition.
Apart from the hard skills above, you also need some soft skills to succeed as a web designer. Such soft skills include:
Social Media/ SEO/Digital Marketing
Regardless of the fact that these skills seemingly fit a salesperson more than a web designer, they are also essential in web designing. Since the internet is where many people and companies sell today, you need to understand Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to ensure the created site ranks well on Google.
Social media and digital marketing are also perfect ways of selling yourself as a freelance web designer.
Business/ Client Management
As a web designer, understanding business and client management will make sure your business is profitable.
You should understand the goals of your company or employer. The goals should guide you during your website design or web development job.
If you are working directly with clients, you should have management skills to make sure that your cash flow and project backlog are sustainable. This ensures the project is doable in short term and long term.
Communication
Communication is a vital skill in web designing and web development. You need to put your point across, keep clients up-to-date, present a pitch, or explain your creations. All these need you to sharpen your writing and presentation skills to put your point across as a web designer or developer.
Time Management
Whether you are employed or working as a freelance designer, time management is vital to ensure you maintain your schedule and complete your projects on time.
It would help if you mastered the art of prioritizing and tracking your work. This will help you to succeed and remain sane in the web designing field.
Is it Really Hard to Get a Job as a Web Designer?
Today, there are website-building apps that anybody can use to build a website.
Although everybody wants a website, not everyone is willing to invest their time and effort in building one.
Therefore, there is a high demand for web developer and designer jobs, and the demand is predicted to increase with the heightened use of the internet every day.
You can look for programming jobs on job boards, including mobile development positions, startups, and WordPress positions.
You Require to Have a Degree in Computer Science
Although you require knowledge in the field, the requirement to have a computer science degree will depend on the work settings. If you want to get employment in a formal set up like a company, the job description may require you to have a computer science background.
The requirement can also depend on the level of specialization. For instance, a back-end developer will require a computer science degree but it’s not necessary for a web designer.
If you want to practice as a freelance web designer, you can start online classes to train yourself without getting a degree.
Is a Web Designer a Good Career?
Today, several online tools can help anyone make a website even if they don't have a programming background. However, the variance can be seen in the quality of the website. In today's cut-throat competition in the digital field, you don't just need a site; you need a high-quality site that will rank high on web pages.
Thus, you need a professional to develop a professional site.
Why should you become a professional web designer?
Growing Industry
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the web design field is expected to grow by 27% by 2024.
There is an increasing need for mobile-first sites that are visually appealing and more responsive. The need is necessitated by the increasing use of mobile devices by users.
Use Your Creativity
A career in web design helps you tap into your creativity to decide on the website's layout, the graphics to use, the designs, and the colours for the website.
You'll have a chance to use your style in every site you develop. Companies will depend on your innovativeness to come up with a site that will leave a long-lasting impression on the consumers.
Make a Comfortable Living
As a web designer, you have an opportunity to earn a good living.
Your salary can range between $61,738 and $82,468 per year. Your average salary will vary depending on several factors, including your location and level of seniority.
Exposure to Top-notch Technology
Working as a web designer exposes you to exciting technology that helps you to build a state-of-the-art site.
You'll also need an understanding of various programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Conclusion
Is web design hard or easy? If you are hesitant to get into web designing because you are not sure whether it's hard, don’t worry. If you have the interest, drive, passion, and the right tools for the job, web design is not hard.
It is a lucrative career with tons of job offerings and attractive pay. You can decide to seek formal employment in companies, or you can become a freelance web designer. There are tons of online courses and tools that can make your career a success.
