A Practical Approach to Building a Career in Web Design

Becoming a web designer is a process. Firstly, it starts by learning how to design websites. Then it moves to the real experience. At this point, you can start earning from the career in web design. With time, you gain experience and you start being established in the field.

So, What is Web Design?

In the simplest terms, Web design involves creating websites. Hence, web designers plan, conceptualize and arrange content. This means that as a web designer, you will design websites displayed on the internet. Mainly, you will work on the appearance of a website, layout, and sometimes content.

What Skills Do You Need To Become a Web Designer?

You need the following skills to become a web designer;

Basic HTML skills
Basic JavaScript
CSS
Navigation, and color
Project management skills
Communication skills
Digital marketing skills
Layout principles

Web Design Process

With the right skills, it is time to start designing your website. We recommend the following simple steps;

Determine the goal of your design

The question to answer here is, ‘what is the end goal of this website?’ answer the following questions to get your answer.

Firstly, who is your client?
Secondly, what are the expectations of your client?
Thirdly, what is the aim of the website?
Finally, how can you outshine your competitor?

With the right answer, you will put your design on the right path.

Establish the scope of your project

To keep everyone satisfied, define the scope of your project. This will also ensure you stay focused on accomplishing the goals at hand. Tools such as a contract can help define your scope.

Sitemap

A sitemap will serve as a foundation for a well-designed website. It is like a blueprint for building a house.

Create content

You need content to engage your readers and boost the visibility of your site in search engines. Ensure your content is well-written and also informative.

Visual elements

Consider the following visual elements in web designing;

Layout

Layout refers to how you structure and categorize information. A good design will have content arranged properly. This means the website will have a good appearance. There are no specific rules on how to design website layouts. But, there are some principles web designers should follow.

Colors

Colors have an impact on website appearance. They affect the functionality of websites. So, you must be careful when selecting colors. Align them with your brand. Also, align colors with the message you want to communicate.

Images

Images can communicate better than words. So, for amazing design, consider their use. You can Google search for stock images for powerful images. This will help in creating designs that communicate more within a short period.

Videos

In addition to images and words, videos can give your visitors a greater experience. Just ensure that your videos complement your content.

Spacing

Your design will have many elements. Between these elements, there are spaces. For example, there is a space between images, lines, and paragraphs. If you cram the elements together, your design will not be clear. The more the spaces the better.

Shapes

A good design uses graphical elements to improve the experience of visitors. Such elements include shapes. You can combine shapes with colors to attract attention to your site.

Functional elements

Don’t forget to consider the following functional elements;

Navigation

Ensure that your website is easy to navigate. First-time visitors should be in a position to navigate it with ease. Navigation should go hand in hand with speed. Your website should load within a reasonable time. Use tools that will facilitate optimum performance. Also, ensure you use a proper structure.

Animations

Use animation techniques to accomplish various tasks such as grabbing the attention of your user. For a beginner, consider simple animations to design your web.

Test your website

Once the website is up, it is time to test it. Check if it is loading properly. Check whether the links are working. This way, you will not present a broken website to your client.

Launch your website

It’s time for the favorite part. If you are happy with your site, launch it.

Points to remember

Never be too excited when you launch your site. This is because web design is an ongoing process. Your first attempt may not be perfect. Your second attempt too. The good news is with practice you will become successful in web design. What you need is to find a balance between form and function. You must consider all visual and functional elements to design a good website.

How to secure a web design job

Firstly, create a strong resume to get the attention of a potential employer.
Secondly, build a portfolio website where you show off real projects and how they solved a problem.
Thirdly, prepare for interviews by improving your interview skills.
Finally, don’t be strict on the kind of employer you want. Focus on securing a position that can give you more experience. With this, you can get your dream employer.