Web design involves planning, deciding, and constructing an assortment of electronic files, which control the design, colors, organization, arrangement, images, graphics, text styles, and various features on a website’s pages. A web designer must have the ability to create and code, as well as maintain web pages in order to satisfy their client’s requirements.
Web designers’ duties include meeting with clients on a regular basis in order to determine their needs and to ensure their needs are being met; designing graphics, text styles, colors, and various different layouts of web pages; search engine optimization; composing detailed website specifications; registering web domain names; continually revising and editing content on the website; keeping up-to-date with current design trends; registering web domain names; working with other web designers, graphic artists, and web developers; and meeting the appropriate legal requirements such as accessibility standards...Read More
There are certain skills and qualities students, who are interested in pursuing a career as a web designer, must encompass in order to be successful in this field. Web designers must have strong graphic design skills and be proficient in the use of web design software. Web designers must have a deep understanding of HTML techniques, animation applications, and Javascript and Flash. Lastly, web designers must comprehend search engine optimization techniques.
Web Design Degree Levels AvailableAssociate’s Degree in Web DesignThe associate’s degree program in web design prepares students for entry-level positions in the web design field. This two-year program provides students with a general knowledge of this discipline’s customs and applications by offering courses in areas such as digital imaging fundamentals, web design, information design, web animation, and instructional design for multimedia. Students who would like to advance to a higher position as well as salary in the web design field are strongly encouraged to further their education by continuing onto the bachelor’s degree program in web design. There may be more opportunities available to those who pursue this option since an associate’s degree may be limiting in certain circumstances.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Web DesignThe bachelor’s degree program in web design offers students an in-depth knowledge of this discipline’s practices. Students enrolled in this four-year program take courses in areas such as creative presentation, technology in the entertainment and media industries, scalable data infrastructures, emerging interface design, database structures, interfaces and usability, fundamentals of physical science, and visual frameworks. The knowledge gained in this undergraduate degree program provides a strong foundation in the web design field on which students may attain professional work as a web designer.
Admission RequirementsTo enroll in an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program in web design, students must have obtained a high school diploma or an academic equivalent (i.e., GED). Transcripts from high school and SAT or ACT test scores are almost always required as well. In conjunction with these documents, students must submit an application form from the institution along with the application fee. Students who have volunteer and/or work experience in the web design field, should document this information in the application form since this would greatly benefit their acceptance into the college or university.
Tuition and AccreditationThe figures stated below are only estimates, since college and university tuition fees vary depending on the institution. This is due to numerous factors (e.g., public versus private institutions, distance education, etc.). An associate’s degree in web design may vary from $ 9,574 to $ 23,871 in tuition fees. A bachelor’s degree in web design may vary from $ 23,872 to $ 32,617 in tuition fees. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
Employers primarily hire applicants who have graduated from an accredited institution because this tells employers that the student attended an institution which provides high-quality education and adheres to certain academic standards. Therefore, students who aspire to obtain an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in web design should enroll in a college or university that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Average Annual Salary Ranges for Different Occupations in the Web Design FieldThere are numerous factors which affect an individual’s salary such as their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. This results in a variation of salary ranges for individuals employed in the same profession. Having stated this, below are a few average annual salary ranges for different occupations in the web design field (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics):
. web designers $ 68,670
. database administrators $ 82,280
. computer support specialists $ 54,960
. computer programmers $ 82,690
. software developers $ 99,530
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