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 designer 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.
Web design degree programs produce individuals who want to utilize their creativity to pursue a career path that can range from business and commerce to entertainment and art. Web design degrees provide instruction in graphic design, writing web code (e.g. HTML), animation, and other applications in website layout and structure. Web design degree programs offer certificate, associates, bachelors, and masters degrees.
Web design is one of the fastest graphic design professions. Typical web design related jobs and average salaries from the AIGA-Aquent Salary Survey 2010:
- Web designer: A web designer determines and develops the look and feel for sites, and is responsible for site navigation design and visual execution. Average total annual compensation range: $45,000-$70,000.
- 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. Average total annual 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. Average total annual compensation range: $55,000-$85,000.
- 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. Average total annual compensation range: $60,000-$90,000.
- 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. Average total annual compensation range: $40,000-$75,000.
