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Glossary – Web Designer

Web Designer

Nikiforov Alexander
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Who is a web designer?

A web designer is a professional involved in creating the visual design of websites, landing pages, and applications. The word "web" comes from the English term "web," which refers to the World Wide Web. Web designers are responsible for how users perceive and interact with digital products. Their work involves not only aesthetic design but also shaping the correct perception of a brand through visual content.

Artem Gorbunov, art director and founder of "Gorbunov Design Bureau," is one of the well-known specialists in this field. He began his career in web design and developed interfaces for major companies such as "Alfa-Bank" and "Yandex." In 2007, he founded his own design bureau and launched educational projects for future designers.

Differences between a web designer, UX/UI designer, and graphic designer

Design in the digital sphere covers many directions, and confusion often arises between different specialties. It is important to understand how a web designer differs from UX/UI and graphic designers:

  • UX/UI Designer: Focuses on designing interfaces. Their task is to make websites and applications intuitive. They do not create banners or illustrations.
  • Graphic Designer: A general term for a specialty that includes web design, 3D, and motion graphics. Typically, graphic designers create logos, packaging, and advertising materials, without necessarily having knowledge of web technologies.
  • Web Designer: Works on landing pages, websites, and applications. In small companies, they may perform the functions of several specialists, developing both interfaces and designs for email newsletters and banners.

Responsibilities of a web designer

The main responsibilities of a web designer include:

  • Creating layouts for websites and applications, including style, font, and color selection.
  • Receiving and analyzing the technical assignment from the client, which describes the goals and requirements for the design.
  • Studying competitors and the target audience to create a unique and appealing visual.
  • Creating mood boards and references for conceptual design.
  • Developing prototypes that help understand the structure and composition of the future website.
  • Finalizing the final layout and preparing the technical assignment for developers.

Key skills of a web designer

A successful web designer should possess both universal (soft skills) and professional (hard skills) skills:

Universal Skills (soft skills)

  • Good artistic taste and understanding of aesthetics.
  • Awareness of current trends and technologies.
  • Creativity in creating original concepts.
  • Communication skills to build working relationships with colleagues.
  • Openness to criticism and willingness to make changes.

Professional Skills (hard skills)

  • Experience with programs like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe.
  • Knowledge of graphic design principles, including composition and typography.
  • Ability to work with various CMS platforms such as WordPress and Joomla.
  • Skills in creating responsive designs using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Understanding the basics of UX/UI design and web animation.
  • Knowledge of SEO fundamentals for optimizing websites for search engines.

Demand for the profession

Today, as almost every company actively promotes itself online, the demand for web designers is continuously growing. As of the end of 2023, there are over 500 job vacancies for web designers in Russia listed on hh.ru, with approximately 50% of them offering remote work. Web designers can work both as employees of companies and as freelancers.

Employers are searching for specialists on various platforms, including specialized job sites and social networks. Beginner web designers can expect a salary in the range of 30,000-50,000 rubles, while more experienced specialists can earn 80,000-100,000 rubles or more.

How to become a web designer

To become a web designer, it is beneficial to have a degree in graphic design or to take specialized online courses. It is also important to gain experience by working as an intern in design studios and completing freelance projects.

The formula for success for a beginner web designer looks like this: a quality portfolio, technical skills, visual awareness, and the ability to work in a team. A portfolio plays a key role in employment, as it is used to evaluate a designer's skills.

It is no longer necessary to obtain a higher education from a university; it is enough to take courses from reliable online schools. Web designers can develop both vertically as art directors or founders of their own studios, and horizontally by becoming experts in their field.