A web designer creates layouts for pages and templates for websites, develops graphics, audio and video content and produces the overall design using development tools and coding languages.
The Work
You could be:
discussing the content and format of the website with the clients, including the purpose of the site and its target audience
designing page layouts using wireframe concepts and including text sizes, colours and other formatting
presenting concepts and designs to clients
producing the website design, using development tools such as Bootstrap and Dreamweaver
coding the page templates using HTML and other languages such as Javascript and jQuery
producing graphics, video and audio content to incorporate into the website
ensuring the design is compatible with all browsers, works across mobile devices and meets accessibility standards
working with other professionals including web developers, UX specialists and graphic designers.
The figures below are only a guide. Pay rates vary widely, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Starting salaries can be in the range of £20,000 to £25,000 a year. With experience, this can rise to £30,000 a year and senior or lead web designers can up to around £40,000 a year, sometimes more.
If you work freelance, your income will vary, depending on the contracts you get.
Conditions
You will generally work normal office hours from Monday to Friday, but may have to work some weekends or evenings to meet deadlines.
You might sometimes have to travel to visit clients and spend overnights away from home.
You will spend most of your time working at a computer.
Entrants usually have a degree (SCQF Levels 9-11) or HND (SCQF Level 8) in a subject such as web design and development, digital media or interactive media.
If you have a degree in a non-computing subject you could take a postgraduate (SCQF Level 11) course in a related subject.
For entry to an HND course you normally require 1-2 Highers plus some subjects at National 5. For entry to a degree course you need 4-5 Highers.
You might get in through a Modern Apprenticeship in IT and Telecommunications at SCQF Level 6 or Creative and Digital Media at SCQF Level 7, then work your way up with experience and further specialist training, or a Technical Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 8.
You may need to do a technical test as part of a job interview.
Knowledge of web technologies is useful, for example: HTML and CSS; design and graphics software, such as Illustrator and Adobe Creative Suite; and content management systems.
Studying for the Foundation Apprenticeship Creative and Digital Media, which you can start in S5 and study at school and college, can count towards entry of a course. Entry requirements vary between colleges, but you usually need 3-5 subjects at National 5 including English. Maths, Art and Design, Computing Science or a science subject may be required. It is recommended that you work towards relevant Highers by the end of S6.
There are jobs in almost all industries, including retail, IT, education, the media, central and local government, finance, the communications industry and health care. Jobs are advertised in the press and on the internet.
an understanding of web technologies and standards
good communication skills
a good understanding of how people interact with websites and web applications
an up to date knowledge of developments in IT.
You need to be able to:
listen to your client's ideas and interpret them
work accurately under pressure and meet tight deadlines
understand your client's business needs
work well as part of a team and individually.
Training
Training can be on the job with part time study.
You would usually complete other short courses whilst working.
You can take short courses, in appropriate software or programming languages, to fill gaps in your knowledge and keep up to date with new packages.
Getting On
With experience, you might become a project manager.
You might move learn more programming and scripting languages and move into a development role (see the Front End Developer or Web Developer job profiles).
You could work freelance or do contract work (usually jobs lasting for a few months at a time).
More Information
For more information please see organisation below:
2024
