Web design and development is a cornerstone of the digital landscape. Without web designers and developers pushing the boundaries of what a website can be, the state of the digital industry wouldn't be as it is now. A web designer and developer is what I like to call a technical creative. They have the technical understanding while also having the creative aptitude to deliver captivating designs.
Due to its unique appeal and demand, the industry has quickly become a viable career option for many. The US Bureau of Labor expects the industry to grow by 23% by 2031, much faster than the rate of most other industries.
Since you are already here, you are looking into the sector and want to become a web designer and developer. Well, you are at the right place for it.
My work as a digital marketing consultant involves working closely with web designers and developers, so I have intimate knowledge of what makes a web designer desirable.
That's why I decided to create this simple article, in which I will answer everything related to the question: "How To Learn Design and Development?"
In the following passages, you will find everything from what people look for when hiring a web designer and developer to the basics and what you need to learn about the topic. So, without any further delay, let's begin!
What Is Web Design?
I often find that hopeful web designers don't fully understand what web design means. By that, I mean they often make it more complicated than it needs to be. Web design is the process of designing websites on the Internet.
It's mainly about the user experience, and the development part is about front-end development. Web design itself is all about visuals and user interaction.
As you can see, web design and development are vital to establishing an online presence. So business owners are careful about finding the right web design and development specialist.
Once you understand how they choose web designers and developers, you can better prepare yourself for a web designer job. So let's check out how they do it!
How Do People Choose Web Designers?
Whether you are interviewing for a web designer position in an agency or looking to interview for a web designer gig for a business, there are certain things the interviewer is going to ask you.
They will test your capability, thinking process, and ability. In the following, I will tell you all the questions and processes people use to choose the best web designers. So let's check them out!
Showcasing Your Design Strategy
Strategy is a crucial aspect of web designing as it plays a vital role in search result ranking. So, in interviews, you will be asked how you will handle the site architecture and how it can help with sales conversion.
They will also ask you how the design elements will help attract buyers and whether you can create a mobile-responsive design.
You may also be asked about your ability to design a blog site. So, before the interview, make sure you have a solid strategy in mind for all of these questions.
Polish Your Technical Skills
As a web design and development specialist, you must have design and technical skills. They will ask you if you have technical skills like:
Adobe Photoshop / Adobe Illustrator
HTML / HTML5
CSS / SCC3
PHP
jQuery
JavaScript
And others
Those are just some of the technical skills they will ask you about. As a web design and development specialist, you should be familiar with content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Magento, and HubSpot.
They Will Check Your Communication Skills
Communication skills are a big thing in the online world. Whether for emergency repair or monthly maintenance, people look for reliability in their web designers, which stems from having a good line of communication.
You should be able to communicate quickly and be there for the client when they need you. You should also demonstrate this ability in your interviews.
Your Portfolio Matters
Every interviewer will ask to look at your portfolio and check out your level of experience. However, they may look at something other than how long you've worked in the industry. Instead, they will check your designs' versatility, creativity, and ingenuity.
Be Clear On How You Will Get Paid
Whether it's a client or an agency, it's best to be clear about the payment from the interview. For example, some will pay you hourly, and some will give you a monthly payment for the work done in a month. So make sure you are clear on the payment method and negotiate how much you want to get paid.
Also, be clear about the additional billings for work that you may be doing outside the contract's scope. This will save valuable time for all parties involved.
What's The Web Design & Development Process?
Now that you know what web designing and development are and how people choose designers, the next step is knowing the web designing process.
That's precisely what we will talk about now. A holistic design process includes understanding the product, the company vision, and the people the site targets.
Having an all-encompassing goal to work towards will help you get the work done while ensuring the utmost quality. The web design process consists of seven steps, and here they are so that you understand it better:
Step one is identifying the goals.
The next step is defining the project's scope, meaning knowing how many pages and what features the design requires.
Sitemap and wireframe creation is the next step, as it will define how everything is interrelated within the structure.
Content creation is the next step as you start finalizing the design and development of the site.
Visual elements are the next step in the design process, as it's time to start building the company's visual brand.
We are at the penultimate step in the design process: testing the design to find flaws and give it the final tweak. Before the last step, make sure it's perfect for all devices.
Now, the last step, it's about launching the site. It requires planning and executing the launch and communication strategies.
Basics Of Learning Web Design & Development
Web design and development have many aspects, so knowing where to start the learning process can be challenging. So here are the basics of web design that you can use as a reference point when starting to learn web design:
You need first to understand the fundamental concepts of visual design.
Understanding basic HTML and CSS.
Having the foundational knowledge of UX design.
Understanding UI.
Learning basic layout creation.
Learning typography.
Putting your knowledge to work.
Working under an experienced mentor.
How To Learn Web Design And Development?
Now that the basics are out of the way, we can move on to learning web design and development. As you already know, web design and development require creative and technical skills.
If you like both requirements, you will love web design. So let's explore how you can easily learn web design and development!
Understanding & Learning Web Design Theory
Web design theory is a bit different from design theory. Although web design is predominantly visual, it is much more balanced than other visual-centric roles.
A web designer and developer need to understand a wide range of technical aspects, and understanding design is the crucial step to becoming one. As a web designer, you must understand and have operational knowledge of user experience, structure, and color theory.
Now, the easiest way to learn them would be to enroll in an online course or read books. You can also watch YouTube tutorials to learn about web design theory.
Learning Key Web Design Tools
To work as a web designer, you need to be familiar with and be able to operate web designer tools. There are a few different tools out there you will need to add to your arsenal. Here are some of the most common and popular tools that you should look to add to your skills arsenal:
WordPress
Photoshop
Sketch
Google Web Designer
Dreamweaver
Figma
InVision Studio
Practicing By Creating Personal Projects
Once you have all the knowledge and know how to operate the tools, you should practice your skills by creating your projects. Remember, practice makes perfect.
It's one way to perfect and brush up your technical skills and polish your coding skills in languages like "HTML, CSS, or even JavaScript, ETC."
Developing A Portfolio
Your portfolio is your breadwinner. Clients will see it and decide whether to work with you. Your portfolio should be as diverse as possible. However, it should include more than just below-par websites; those will hurt your chances of landing a job.
Whenever you are conducting an interview, you make sure to present the portfolio itself and highlight the sites that are similar to the client's project.
Picking The Right Web Design & Development Job
Within the web design and development field, you can take up a wide range of roles and jobs. It all depends on what type of experience and skillset you have. Depending on your skill set, you can take up one of the following jobs:
Web Designer
Front-End Web Developer
Visual Designer
Mobile Developer
Product Manager
Front-End Designer
UX/UI Designer
Interaction Designer
Books And Courses You Can Take To Learn Web Design
We are at the end game now. This guide, while being comprehensive, can only take you so far. At the end of the day, it is only to guide you in the right direction.
You will need to learn from accredited resources that will provide you with intimate knowledge and know-how of web design. To start your journey, here is a list of books and courses you can try!
The Final Word
So there you go—that's about it for the guide on becoming a web designer. Hopefully, it will help you start your web design and developer journey.
I have tried to provide you with all the things I know about web designing through my 7+ years of experience working in the industry. And with that being said, that's about it for today.
Let me know in the comments below or hit me on my socials if you have more questions about becoming a web designer and developer. I will answer all your questions. And that's about it. I will come back with something new soon. Until then, see ya!
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