Becoming a Web Designer

Web designers are responsible for creating and designing the pages that constitute a website. They must know how to balance the way a page looks with how it functions. Another important consideration for web designers is accessibility, or how to make a website work regardless of what device a visitor uses to view it or interact with it. Accessibility refers particularly to making pages functional for people with disabilities.

While many web designers usually have a B.S. in Computer Science or a B.A. related to marketing, such as business administration from a four-year institute, others have completed two-year programs at community colleges, or they have taught themselves independently by learning the design skills and programming languages necessary to create pleasing and useful online pages.

The two most common ways to become a professional web designer include getting formal training or teaching yourself. Formal training can be obtained through a certificate program or an advanced degree program available at community colleges, universities, or online. Getting practical experience by actually building pages is critical before you apply for a job as a web designer. Self-taught web designers often begin working for a company in another capacity, such as marketing or administration, and then take on web design responsibilities over time and as needed by the employer. “Filling in” as a web designer for an employer frequently leads to a full-time job in this area.

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