A Guide to Becoming a Website Designer

So, you want to pursue a career in web design, but you are a little confused just where to start, or just simply daunted by the wealth of information on the matter.

With our helpful and straightforward guide, you will be able to understand the skills and qualifications or experience required to obtain a website design role, making it easier to plan out the first steps of your journey. We will also outline what the job involves, including working patterns, hours and environment, and the average salary for this exciting job in the IT industry.

What the Job Role Involves

The great thing about working on website design is that no two projects will be the same. One day you could work on a formal website for a corporate business and the next you could be working on an e-commerce website for the latest fashionable shop. Your responsibilities as a website designer will involve creating and implementing a design appropriate for the client, and make sure that this translates across all devices.

Day-to-day tasks may include:

• • Client meetings to decipher design and functionalities of the website
  • Design plans

• May include creating branding guidelines, including colours, text and background
• Layout of pages
• Adding multimedia functions
• Testing and adapting the site where required
• Uploading websites to a server.

Skills Needed to be a Web Designer

While it’s not always necessary to have professional qualifications to become a website designer, it is imperative that you are able to demonstrate your skills in the following areas:

• Coding knowledge and practical practice of HTML and CSS
• Be able to use design software such as Photoshop and Illustrator
• Visual design
• UX
• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

During your interview for web designer jobs, you may be expected to provide a portfolio of work to demonstrate that you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience for the role. Therefore, it will be worthwhile to create your own websites and reach out to others who may benefit from your services to build up your personal portfolio, or alternatively, you can work within an internship programme before applying for a full-time web designer position. There will be no point applying for a job where you cannot display your capabilities for the role; build up your knowledge, experience and skills first.

How to Achieve the Skills

There are many higher education courses available in web design or relevant multi-media subjects that will help you learn and master the necessary skills to become a website designer. These courses will require commitment and dedication to finish as the majority of them will take a couple of years to complete.

However, as university fees reach a record-high, the thought of higher education and debt can seem a little daunting for those wanting to pursue a career in web design. Alternatively, why not look at your local college who may provide workshops or courses in the skills required for website design? There are also a wealth of online courses and free tutorials that are available for those willing to learn.

Salary

The attractive part of a job in website design is that the pay is reasonable, even at starting wage, where starters within the role can expect a salary in the region of €26,000 to €30,000. Once your experience and skills develop naturally with the role, salaries can increase to anywhere between €30,000 and €51,000, depending on position and responsibilities.

Work Hours and Environment

Those within a website designer role can expect to work on average 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, when tight deadlines or problems arise you may be expected to work extra hours. Check the hours and requirements during an interview to be sure on what is expected of you.

Employees can enjoy a comfortable office environment within their role, however, depending on your role, may be expected to travel to meet clients.

Career Progression

So, what is the projected career path for those who achieve a role in website design? For those with experience in website design, migration to management roles is easily done. Senior website designers may even consider setting themselves up as freelance or beginning their own successful web design business.

If you need more information on a career in website design or want to line up some appropriate job interviews in Ireland, get in touch with the Eolas team today. We are more than happy to help you start your career in IT.

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