In the age of information explosion, putting your content across to your potential clientele on the web and making sure your website stands out from among millions of others has become the need of the hour. Enter web designers, those creative individuals behind the design and layouts of websites and web pages. This is where web designing comes to play
For those who have the much sought after combo of technical soundness with oodles of creativity, Palak Kapadia explains the nitty-gritties of a career in web designing
REQUISITE QUALIFICATION
Web designing courses generally exist in the form of specialized diplomas and can be pursued after a 10+2 along with a bachelor’s degree or postgraduation qualification. A degree in a related field like BSc in information technology or visual communications sure does help. Several private institutions also offer certificate courses in web design.
THE SCOPE OF THE PROFESSION
“No matter what type of business, online presence has become a must today. Businesses depend on web designers to create eye-pleasing and informative web pages that send across messages, entertain and help in selling products and services. In such a scenario, web designing courses are becoming more and more popular and get a large number of applications every year.” says Ayush Shah, a Web designer.
REMUNERATION
Web designing is a pretty lucrative career option. With some knowledge and a good number of years of experience up your sleeve, you can start with your own web designing firm. Your income then depends upon the number of clients you cater to and the kind of websites you create.
THE PERKS OF THE PROFESSION
Web designers are the few fortunate people who actually get paid decently for following their passion. Every day they get to sit at the computer and do what they love doing. Given the current scenario, every business needs a website that attracts new clients. As a web designer, you will hardly ever have to hunt for work. Web designing also offers the option to go freelance which means freedom to set your schedule and flexibility of work hours. With several new tricks to learn and new designs to explore, this is one profession in which you probably will never get bored.
ON THE DOWNSIDE
With advances being made in technology in the blink of an eye, programmes and software become obsolete at a rapid pace. With web designing, there is a constant need to update yourself and you just cannot rely on past knowledge. If you choose to become a freelancer, you need to know a lot more than web designing; marketing, interpersonal relationships, communication, and bookkeeping are just some of the duties you’ll have to juggle.
THE PATH TO A WEBSITE
Designing a website or even a single web page is not accomplished overnight. Here is how web designers work:
- Meet with clients to discuss the objective of the website
- Prepare a design plan and create a site structure
- Decide the fonts, colors, graphics, and backgrounds for the website
- Create page layouts and position buttons, links, etc
- Test and improve the design of the site until everything works as planned
- Upload the site to a server for publication online
CAREER FACTS: WEB DESIGNER
JOB PROFILE
Often confused with web developing, web designing is actually a completely separate discipline. While web developers are concerned with the functionality aspect of a website, web designing is to do with its appearance and aesthetic value.
INCOME
The starting salary for freshers is about Rs. 15,000 per month. With some experience, it can go up to anywhere between Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 35,000 per month.
SKILLS REQUIRED
Technical know-how; artistic talent; ability to conceptualize new ideas; good design sense; computer proficiency; familiarity with programming languages such as HTML, CSS, etc; knowledge of emerging web technologies; aptitude for graphic designing; interpersonal communication skills; creative visualization; ability to adapt design for different mediums: PCs, tablets, mobile phones, etc
SOME INISTUTES THAT OFFER THE COURSE STUDY
- Asian Academy of Film and Television, New Delhi
- Arena Animation, Mumbai
- Raffles Design Institute, Mumbai
- TGC Animation and Multimedia, New Delhi
BEST OF THE WEB
Mastering the art of web design leads to a memorable website. These websites reflect good design practices:
- Change.org: Simple and accommodative, which puts in focus the various social issues this website intends to highlight
- Harvard.edu: Subtle, tasteful and well-organized; works well with the Harvard University brand Starbucks.com: Clean and informative for the Starbucks fan
- Time.com: Appropriately minimalistic and readable
“The digital spaces created by web designers can be as simple as a resume or as complex as interactive educational websites, online magazines, and e-newspapers,” says Dharmesh Kothari, Gray Matrix Solutions, Mumbai.
