W06 Learning Activities: Web Designer
Overview
This activity is meant to be an overview of the occupations of Web Design and User Experience (UX).
“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.”
– Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
What is a Web Designer?
A web designer is a professional who is responsible for creating the look and feel of a website, including the layout, colors, graphics, images, and typography. Designers focus on the visual and functional aspects of the site to support usability and accessibility. They must have a strong understanding of design principles, as well as experience with design software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. They must also have a solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Web designers must be creative, detail-oriented, and able to work well under pressure. They must also be able to work well in a team environment and be able to communicate effectively with clients and other team members.
The key to learning is doing. Do not be afraid to take on projects, paid or unpaid, to boost your experience and overall portfolio of knowledge starting today.
Required Skills of a Web Designer
A web designer must have a variety of skills to be successful in their field. Some of the most important skills include:
- Visual Design: Visual design is the art of creating a visual representation of a website.
This includes the layout, colors, graphics, images, and typography.
- Layout: Structure and organization of a website including the placement of elements such as text, images, and navigation.
- Colors: The application of color theory to create a visual hierarchy and evoke and leverage emotions.
- Graphics: The use of images and icons to enhance the visual appeal of a website.
- Images: The use of photographs and illustrations to enhance the visual appeal of a website.
- Typography: Typography is the art of arranging text on a page. This includes choosing fonts, sizes, and spacing.
- UX Design: UX design is the process of creating a website that is easy to use and navigate. This includes the layout, navigation, and user interface that work on any device or viewport (responsive design).
- Software: Web designers must be proficient core frontend technologies and design software in
order to support the visual and UX design requirements of the site. Some of the most important software skills
include:
- Programming: Web designers must have a solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is a design software that is used to create and edit images and graphics for websites.
- Adobe Illustrator: Adobe Illustrator is a design software that is used to create vector graphics for websites.
- SEO: SEO is the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results.
- Content Management Systems: A relatively large portion of organizational websites on the
internet were built using a web content management system, namely WordPress.
What percentage of all websites on the internet are powered by WordPress?
WordPress powers approximately 43% of all websites on the internet.
Of the top 1 million websites, WordPress is used by ~23%. - Web Accessibility: Knowledge of web accessibility standards and guidelines.
- Web Performance: Knowledge of web performance optimization techniques.
In this week's activities you will search current job openings in the field of web design and development which will list technologies and skills that are required and preferred.