What Does a Web Designer Do? What Skills Are Needed?

A web designer is a specialist who creates the design of single-page and multi-page websites, web applications, and mobile apps. They design the logical structure of website pages and visually style them. The result of their work is an attractive website or application that meets business goals and is user-friendly.

What Does a Web Designer Do and With Whom Do They Collaborate?

A web designer, graphic designer, UI/UX specialist, and front-end developer are different professionals who can work together on a website or app development project but perform different duties:

• A graphic designer creates the company’s logo and all graphic elements.
• A UI/UX designer develops a user-friendly interface to help users easily find necessary information and perform functions.
• A web designer creates a unique, attractive design incorporating the logo and graphic elements. They essentially “draw” the website or app’s appearance for visitors.
• A front-end developer transfers the design to a working website or app, setting up buttons, links, and interactive elements.

To be in demand, a web designer should know the basics of UI/UX design to combine the site’s aesthetic appeal with user convenience.

Who is a Web Designer and What Do They Do – Watch the Video

Watch the suggested YouTube video about who a web designer is, what they do, and their work process on our portal:

What Are the Responsibilities of a Web Designer?

The work process of a web designer creating a website design includes the following steps:

• Meeting with the client to receive the technical assignment (TA) and discuss color schemes and site structure.
• Analyzing competitors’ websites to understand the target audience’s needs and how information is presented.
• Finding references – the best design solutions for websites in the same field as the client.
• Making sketches of the first two pages, selecting the color scheme and style (minimalism, brutalism, etc.), and getting client approval.
• Developing a prototype, a black-and-white mockup showing the site’s architecture.
• Creating a layout for all screen sizes specified in the TA: PC, tablet, and mobile phone.
• Preparing a TA for the front-end developer, describing what should happen when a user clicks a certain button.
• Handing over the layout and TA to the front-end developer.

A web designer initially develops the site design for PC screens and then adapts it for smaller screens: tablets and mobile phones.

What Professional and Personal Skills Are Needed for a Web Designer?

A web designer who wants to get orders for creating complex designs should have the following professional skills:

• Know the basics of design, such as composition, perspective, color palette, and typography.
• Be proficient in design editors like Figma and photo editors like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.
• Have basic knowledge of UI/UX design and understand how to correctly place structural elements on a site: buttons, text blocks, infographics, photo galleries, etc.
• Develop a keen eye by regularly viewing the work of colleagues. The more websites a web designer views, the better they understand which fonts, photos, infographics, and colors are best suited for various business sectors and design styles.
• Have good communication skills, as they interact with clients and professionals involved in site development, such as marketers, copywriters, analysts, and front-end developers.

Personal qualities that help a web designer succeed include:

• Developed artistic taste;
• Attention to detail;
• Patience;
• Diligence.

Where to Learn to Be a Web Designer?

You can learn the profession of a web designer through online courses or self-study. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages:

• Paid online courses offer a comprehensive approach with homework assignments checked by tutors, providing systematic learning of theory and practice.
• Self-study through YouTube and other open sources offers a wealth of material but lacks structured information, making a systematic approach necessary.

To become a qualified web designer, one should take a course and engage in continuous self-education by attending training sessions and webinars.

Conclusion

Web design is a promising profession. There is high demand for qualified specialists, and it is growing as more companies and entrepreneurs seek to have both social media pages and their own websites.

Frequently Asked Questions About Web Designers