Web design is an important marketing tool. It heavily impacts how an audience perceives a brand and whether or not they will choose to purchase a product or use a service. There is a high demand for web designers for this reason, so you should include web design careers in your job search.
As most businesses are extending their products and services to the Internet, there isn’t a better time to gain web design skills. If this is a career that interests you, or if you want to learn more about it, this guide will cover everything you need to know about how to get a job in web design, including skills, education, salary, and job outlook.
What Is Web Design?
Web design consists of designing the front end, or user experience, that people see when they visit a website. Web designers are responsible for the layout, appearance, and in some cases, the content of a website to enhance user experience.
The appearance can include fonts, colors, and images used on the website. The layout, on the other hand, is the structure and categorization of information on a website. Web design needs to be aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. It must also be suitable for the website brand and target audience.
Web Design Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes web designers as web developers and digital designers. The employment of web designers is expected to grow by 13 percent from 2020 to 2030. It is estimated that there will be 17,900 new openings in this field per year. This growth is almost twice as high as the national average, which means the field is promising.
What Education Do I Need to Become a Web Designer?
The educational requirements for a web designer depend on their employer. However, it typically ranges from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree. While some employers may prefer candidates with Bachelor’s Degrees in Computer Programming or Computer Science, others prioritize experience and skills.
Can I Get a Web Design Job Without a Degree?
Yes, with the right set of skills, you can land a job as a web designer without a degree. It’s important to remember that different employers will have different requirements and expectations, so it’s always a good idea to get to know the requirements of your desired employer before you choose your educational path.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job in Web Design?
A coding bootcamp can help you to secure a job in web design. These bootcamps are known as career acceleration programs because they offer short and intensive training to help you prepare for the industry. The best web design bootcamps also offer hands-on learning and a project-based curriculum to help students gain experience as they learn.
A web design bootcamp equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to secure a job once the program is completed. Additionally, it will offer career services such as interview preparation, career coaching, mentorship, and resume reviews.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Job in Web Design?
The amount of time it takes to get a job in web design varies, depending on the educational path you choose, your level of experience, and the requirements of your potential employer. While bachelor’s degrees typically take a minimum of four years to complete, bootcamps can prepare you for a web development job in as little as three months.
Bootcamp programs are quite intense and often require full-time learning. This allows you to quickly obtain all of the required skills and knowledge, including web design tools like Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator, as well as programming languages like CSS and HTML. A bootcamp is a better choice than a degree if you want to save time and money.
Common Web Design Education Paths
Several educational paths can provide you with the coding skills, hands-on experience, and core knowledge to prepare you for a career in web design. Some of the most popular options are included in the list below.
Web Design Bootcamps
Web design bootcamps teach students everything that they need to know about the design process, from coming up with a concept to developing functional websites. The curriculum usually covers visual design basics, prototyping, and coding. The best bootcamps for web design include Flatiron School and Thinkful.
Community College
Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees programs for web design. Additionally, the credits you earn through community college contribute to your bachelor’s degree if you choose to earn a four-year degree once you’ve completed your associate.
Students who pursue this option will learn qualifying skills and knowledge, such as how to use programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Community colleges are considerably more affordable than universities, and they often offer financial aid options.
Web Design Degrees
If you want to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Web Design, many private and public universities offer excellent programs. A four-year degree is a large time commitment, and is the most expensive option, but will open up the most career opportunities and advanced positions.
Potential employers know applicants with bachelor’s degrees in related fields come with a high experience level in necessary web design tools and processes and have broad foundational knowledge in the field. Universities and colleges can also be great places to find networking opportunities.
Key Web Design Skills to List on Your Resume
When you’re applying for jobs as a web designer, employers will be scanning your resume for certain qualifications, including specific skills. Although skill requirements vary between employers, some skills will be required for all web designer jobs, even those for entry-level web developers. You will want to develop and include the following skills on your resume.
Web Design Tools
As a web designer, you’ll be using sophisticated design software, so you’ll need to make sure your knowledge of popular web design tools skills is up to industry standard. That way, you can create beautiful websites that impress employers.
Designing websites can be done in web browsers, but tools like Sketch, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop allow you to create more dynamic websites and provide more creative options. They can be used to create mockups, design graphics and logos, as well as edit photos. Employers will be checking your resume for this foundational skill.
Communication Skills
Most people focus on the technical aspects of web design and forget to consider the importance of soft skills in this field. Communication skills are crucial for web designers, as the majority of your performance is based on your understanding of client requests and visions.
You’ll need to clearly understand what your client wants, communicate your ideas, and provide detailed updates and explanations throughout the process. Communication can happen online or in person, so be prepared for both.
UX Design
User experience (UX) design is an important part of web design. You’ll need to be able to create user-friendly layouts, tabs, fonts, colors, and more. All of this requires you to have the critical thinking skills to see your work from a front end user perspective.
Part of UX design is the ability to incorporate the needs of the website’s target audience while maintaining the requests of the website owner. Web design should also be functional, which means you’ll need to be able to make the appropriate modifications for mobile and desktop devices.
Where to Find Web Design Jobs
There are a lot of places to find web design jobs. In the Internet age, most web design jobs will be advertised almost exclusively online. Listed below are three of the most common ways web design students search for potential jobs.
Job Boards
Job boards are an excellent place to search for a web design job. Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter are among the most popular job boards. They all allow you to modify your search through location, job level, and desired salary, so everyone from experienced professionals to beginners can find what they are looking for.
Company Websites
Companies often have job vacancies listed on their websites. If you already know which firm you want to apply for, try checking its website for a career tab. Some companies even give you the option of subscribing to a newsletter to keep you updated on company changes and other relevant information, including job openings.
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Freelancing Sites
If you’re interested in working as a freelance web designer, you should check out platforms like TopTal and Upwork. These are platforms where you can advertise your design skills and apply for freelance work. Freelance web design jobs offer professionals a higher level of flexibility, as you can choose between short-term and long-term gigs.
How to Prepare for Your Web Design Interview
It’s important to be well prepared for your job interview as a web designer. You will want to make sure you have the appropriate education, skills, and experience to answer any potential technical questions a hiring committee might ask you. Below are some common interview questions you can expect to hear.
Web Design Interview Questions
- How do you handle a client that does not like your design?
- Describe your team working style versus your working style.
- How do you convey your vision to web developers?
- What is the first thing you do after a client brief?
The Five Highest-Paying Web Design Jobs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that most web design jobs have an employment rate of 13 percent, according to its report on web developers and digital designers. Some web design jobs vary in salary and job growth, but in general, they pay well. Find more information about web design careers that come with the highest salaries below.
| Web Design Jobs | Average Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface Designer | $104,879 | 13% |
| User Experience Designer | $98,816 | 13% |
| Product Designer | $84,316 | 6% |
| Web Designer | $60,202 | 13% |
| Video Game Designer | $52,410 | 16% |
User Interface Designer
Salary: $104,879
User interface designers are responsible for ensuring that the user experience on mobile, desktop, and web applications is functional and seamless. This position requires experience in software development and programming and often requires a bachelor’s degree.
User Experience Designer
Salary: $98,816
User experience designers focus on the experience of front end users. They create designs that are functional and encourage users to either buy a service or product or continue to use the website or platform. This position is not limited to degree holders but does require the relevant skills and experience.
Product Designer
Salary: $84,316
Product designers combine user needs and business goals to create successful products for brands. Their role includes optimization of user experience. This position typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. With enough experience, you can also become a product manager.
Web Designer
Salary: $60,202
Web designers are responsible for planning, creating, and coding web pages. They use graphics, pictures, video clips, sounds, and more in the process of designing web pages. This position does not strictly require a bachelor’s degree, but there are important skills that are required for the tasks involved.
Video Game Designer
Salary: $52,410
Video game designers are responsible for creating and implementing creative designs with programmers, engineers, and artists. They also have a say in developing guidelines regarding a game’s rules, operation, environment, and storyline. This position often requires an associate degree.
Web Design Career Path
There are many careers under the umbrella of web design. People aspiring to become web designers have many options regarding specialization and work industry. Below is a list of some of the common entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level careers in web design.
Entry-Level Web Design Jobs
- Graphic designer – Graphic designers assemble images, motion graphics, or typography to create graphic design.
- Illustrator – Illustrators specialize in creating two-dimensional images and art pieces that are used in the design process.
- Junior web designer – Junior web designers are responsible for creating designs for the web page and developing marketing graphics, usually in a team.
Mid-Level Web Design Jobs
- Digital designer – Digital designers are responsible for creating, managing, and producing digital design solutions for websites, social media, and product graphics.
- Creative designer – Creative designers create rough layouts for projects and use illustration software to develop products.
- Visual designer – Visual designers create artwork, concepts, and layouts for different digital projects based on client meetings and creative briefs.
Senior-Level Web Design Jobs
- UX designer – UX designers focus on the front end of a website. They carry out user research to determine the best design for users.
- UI designer – UI designers focus on the function of a website. Their duties are usually performed after UX designers have mapped out the skeleton of the website, and they are responsible for bringing it to life.
- Web Designer – Web designers plan and create web pages that combine texts, graphics, and video clips.
Web Design Certifications
Professional web design certifications prove to employers that you have the skills and knowledge required for the tasks you’ll need to perform as a web designer. Additionally, they look great on your resume and can help boost your appeal. The following is more information about some of the most reputable web design certifications you can earn.
Amazon Web Services (AWS Certified Developer)
This certification showcases your proficiency in the AWS platform. You must complete and pass a 65-question exam in 130 minutes. Before taking this exam, you’ll need to be skilled in at least one programming language, thoroughly understand Amazon Web Services (AWS) applications, and be proficient in several other skills that are listed on the website.
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Certification
Microsoft offers a variety of certifications related to the web design field, including mobile development, web design, and software development. Candidates can become certified by passing the exam relevant to their desired field. Microsoft also keeps all certifications relevant to the industry by regularly updating and retiring outdated certifications.
Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)
This Adobe certification is designed to showcase your mastery of Adobe systems software products. Adobe offers different certification levels of expertise, which allows you to choose the one that aligns with your skill level. To receive this professional certification, you must pass an exam.
Tips on How to Get a Job in Web Design
Getting a job in web design is only difficult if you are not prepared. Some things that can help prepare you for the application process include building your portfolio, creating mock projects, personalizing your resume, and personalizing your cover letter.
Build Your Portfolio
Portfolios are extremely helpful in proving to future employers that you have the necessary qualifications and can perform according to their standards. Portfolios are especially important if you don’t have any experience, as they will be the employer’s only point of reference in regards to what kind of work you can do.
Create Mock Projects
If you have not built your portfolio, creating mock projects is an acceptable alternative. They assume the same role as a portfolio in terms of demonstrating to potential clients that you have what it takes to meet or exceed their expectations. Mock projects can include redesigning brand websites, creating custom letters for campaigns, and other projects along those lines.
Personalize Your Resume
Your resume is one of the first things that your potential employer will see, and it can be especially relevant in this field. Resumes for web design give employers an idea of your web designing style, as well as insight into what they can expect from you. For this reason, you might consider using strong design elements in your resume.
Personalize Your Cover Letter
Make sure that when you send your resume, you include a cover letter. Cover letters give employers an idea of who you are and why you want to work for them. It’s important to personalize cover letters by including the employer or company’s name. It’s also helpful to specifically explain what you can contribute and why you want to work at this company.
Look For Entry-Level Roles
Assuming that you don’t already have web designing experience, you’ll want to begin by looking for an entry-level web design job. This will allow you to get a feel of whether or not you want to continue pursuing this career and will help build the experience that will allow you to qualify for higher-paying positions.
Should You Get a Job in Web Design in 2021?
Yes, you should consider getting a job in web design, and now is a perfect time. Most businesses are already transitioning or extending their business online. This trend has created and will continue to create many job opportunities for web designers.
Web designers have the privilege of choosing what field they want to work in or if they prefer to take on freelance projects. Many web designers can even work remotely. In addition, the constant need for web designers makes this career very stable, high-paying, and full of advancement opportunities.
Web Design FAQ
Yes, you can become a web designer without a degree. There are many alternative educational paths you can take to land a role in this field.
Yes, the web design job market can be competitive. Keep in mind, even if you aren’t immediately hired by your ideal employer, entry-level jobs or working for freelance clients is an excellent way to build your reputation as a web designer.
Yes, you can learn the basic principles of web design on your own. There are lots of resources online that can help you get started. You can take online courses, bootcamps, tutorials, or even online community college classes.
To be a web designer, you will be expected to have basic technical skills, time management skills, and tech skills. Also, communication skills are incredibly important in this field, as your work depends on the requests and requirements of clients.
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