Source: Creativecareerschools.com

Web Design is one of the fastest growing careers. Web Designers are artist with the web as their canvases and web software programs as their palettes. Web designers convey a company’s brand, image, products and other communications via the web browser. Web design is an exciting mix of creativity and logic, with the designer utilizing both left and right parts of his/her brain.

A web design must be proficient with art and design concepts, color theory and software programs (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Dreamweaver, HTML, Adobe Illustrator). Many web designers may have started their education or careers in another area of art and design such as graphic design. Today, there are education programs dedicated to web or interactive design.

Web Career Options and Salaries

According to the AIGA/Aquent 2008 survey of design salaries there are several web-related career paths:

• Web designer: A web designer determines and develops the look and feel for sites, and is responsible for site navigation design and visual execution. Compensation range: $44,000-$65,000.
• Web developer: front-end/interface systems. A front-end developer uses HTML, JavaScript, ASP, ColdFusion and other tools to develop static and dynamic web pages. Compensation range: $50,000-$75,000.
• Web programmer/developer: back-end systems. A back-end programmer works with web server systems and web databases, develops web queries to databases and programs web applications. Compensation range: $49,800-$75,000.
• Web producer/senior producer/executive producer: A web producer organizes web development teams and ensures adherence to budget, schedule and design of web site development. Compensation range: $60,000-$80,000.
• Content developer: A content developer is also known as a web writer or editor. He or she is responsible for the production and repurposing of text, graphic and audio content on sites. Compensation range: $47,600-$70,000.

Typical Job Description/Responsibilities

Web Designer (Source: hesketh.com)

Occupational Summary

As a Web Designer for hesketh.com, you will be responsible for the visual design of Web site and application designs and implementation for our progressive client base using a user-centered design approach and employing tools such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, xHTML, and CSS. This position will develop user-centered layout and graphical components, balancing usability and cultural factors with strategic goals and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

o Work within a team to address the Web design needs of clients.
o Participate in processes involved with defining the look-and-feel of new Web sites and applications.
o Establish creative direction and design graphical user interfaces for Web sites and applications based on project specification documents.
o Produce a consistent visual image on Web sites and applications, including the maintenance of templates and image archives.
o Implement designs using standards-compliant markup (XHTML and CSS) and table-less and progressive enhancement markup strategies.
o Implement enhancements and modifications to client sites; organize and maintain the sites.
o Ensure that Web sites are accessible from a variety of environments.
o Troubleshoot and repair bugs and problems.
o Assess new standards, technologies and trends, and formulate strategies and plans for future Web site and application enhancements.
o Perform miscellaneous position-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

BA or BS degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Experience

o Strong design portfolio required, including experience in Web site composition and typography.
o Experience with large, complex, and dynamic Web sites.
o Adobe Software (Photoshop, Illustrator, Imageready, Acrobat).
o Macromedia Software (Dreamweaver, Flash).
o Experience in ethnographic field research and/or secondary research on social and cultural topics and/or user-centered design desirable.

Skills

o Expertise in Web visual design.
o Expertise in coding browser-independent XHTML and CSS.
o Javascript, DHTML, XML, and XSLT are desirable.
o Illustration skills are desirable.
o Ability to translate theory into exceptional reality.
o Familiarity with the core principles of information design and theories of navigation.
o Knowledge of browser display differences and experience in coding around them.
o Thoroughness and an eye for detail.
o Good written and verbal communication skills.
o Ability to self-motivate.
o Eagerness to learn.
o Integrity, courtesy and professionalism.
o Enthusiasm for the Web.
o Sense of humor.

Additional Information/Resources:

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Computer Systems Analysts, Database Administrators, and Computer Scientists, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos042.htm

Web Designer as a Career, http://www.wpdfd.com/editorial/wpd0303.htm#feature

Web Design Jobs and Freelance Careers, http://desktoppub.about.com/od/webcareer