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The work of a Web Designer
What makes a good Web Designer
How to become a Web Designer
What can you do to prepare?
Job Opportunities and Earnings
Case History
Do's and Don't's
The Work of a Web Design
A Web Designer is a person who designs and manages web pages. People use the job name Web Designer interchangeably with other titles, such as Web Master, Web Author, etc.Strictly speaking, a Web Designer's sole function is to design attractive, compelling Web pages. In practice, they may do a lot more, such as research new content for the Website, look after advertising, etc.
During the course of a day, a Web Designer would be expected to design the visual look of a web page for his clients. This would include ensuring that the page is attractive to the eye, well balanced and easy to use. The Graphic Designer may create the graphics and then the Web Designer would insure that they work within the constraints of a web page.
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What makes a good Web Designer?
A good Web Designer knows what looks good on the screen. He must be able to combine colours and graphics to give a professional edge to a website. He will look at other websites and improve on them, thus making sure that his own has that edge to it. The ability to pay attention to detail and make everything gel together is crucial. Good Web Designers know that it is the little things that make a site great, not just fancy graphics that sing and dance at you!According to Dermot Rodgers, Director of New Media CV Recruitment Company, people that have a positive attitude, pay attention to detail, are prepared to work hard, are team players, are flexible and have good interpersonal and communications skills advance quickest within the field.
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How to become a Web Designer
There are now a variety of courses on offer, in Universities, Institutes of Technology, Colleges of Further Education, Commercial and Fas Training Centres. Firstly, when choosing a course, it is vital to find one that will cover a range of subjects, including HTML coding, Graphic Design, E-business, Networking and most importantly, work experience.Secondly, choose a course that will allow you the time to practise your skills - short courses do not allow for this. Thirdly, ensure that the course has recognised certification, such as the Internet Webmaster Certification available from The Internet Certification Institute International (ICII).
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What can you do to Prepare?
Richard Butler, Web Design Course Director, in Sallynoggin College of Further Education, advises students considering Web Design as an option to:- Use the Internet - it is the single greatest source of free information on Web Design.
- Learn to use search engines effectively to locate tutorials and guides on Web Design and Internet.
- Visit a local college that offers Web Design courses and talk to the tutors about what is involved.
- Gain work experience in a graphic design house or web design company or a local Internet Service Provider and be prepared to do anything and everything for them, such as research new content, help update pages, scanning, etc.
- Get a computer and either download a tutorial on HTML from the Web or buy a book and begin to teach yourself.
Job Opportunities and Earnings
With the current climate and excitement surrounding the Internet and the World Wide Web there are many jobs available for qualified web designers. Indeed Dermot Rogers believes that this demand will be fuelled by the ongoing convergence of web and broadcasting technologies.After an initial training course, specialization is possible in areas such as updating content or web programming. It is important to think not only in terms of working for web design companies as many medium to large companies have, or need, web designers to constantly update their website or to develop their intranet. An intranet resembles the Internet but is only available to the employees of the company and not the general public. Many companies are looking for a website but don't know how to go about designing one - web designers could either consult for them, build the site or teach them how to do it. The possibilities are endless.
Earnings
A qualified Web Designer can expect a starting salary of £14 - £19K. A freelance Web Designer can command a fee of c.£5,000 for an average business website.
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Case History
Niall Farrelly (ICII Cert.) currently works as Head Website Designer and Content Developer for Golden Pages online. He did his Leaving Certificate in St. Mark's Community School, Tallaght in 1998 and in 1998/9 he completed an NCVA Level 2 Certificate in Animation Drawing Studies in Ballyfermot College of Further Education. He had planned to continue his Animation studies but did not succeed in getting a place in second year. As a result he found he had to look at alternative career options. He first went to his Guidance Counsellor for some advice. She was adamant that he should stay in the computer area as he had a strong flair for it. She thought that it was a matter of finding his correct niche within the area.She pointed him in the direction of a Website Design course in Sallynoggin College of Further Education. Having sent in his application form, he was called for an interview at which he was required to present a portfolio of his drawing skills. Shortly afterwards he was offered a place on the course. The course and accompanying work experience allowed him to develop his computer and website design skills to a level that enabled him to gain employment directly after graduating.
Career Path to Date
At the start of his Website Design course, Niall got work experience from Golden Pages in their Electronic Media department. While he was there he designed the site for the Publicity Club of Ireland and is at present working on a redesign. When he finished his course in Sallynoggin College he was offered a job with Golden Pages, which he duly accepted. He was appointed the Content Developer for Golden Pages online. He started on the 12th June 2000 and on the 16th of October 2000 he was promoted to Head Website Designer for Golden Pages online while retaining the brief for content development.
Ups of the Career
- Possibility of good earnings
- Scope for creativity
- Great sense of satisfaction on completion of projects
- Good promotion prospects
- Pressure coming up to deadlines
- Long hours in front of a computer
- Need for constant upskilling
- Lack of a known career structure as yet
Niall will stick with the job he has for a while and continue to build up the experience he needs. After that it is a matter of making 'loads of money' either at home or abroad.
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Do's and Don't's
Do Website Design- If you like designing images or graphics on a computer using different software.
- If you are interested in good pay
- If you don't like stress
- If you don't like computers
- If you don't like the Internet or Websites
