Trade Schools & Colleges > The Career Counselor > Web Design and Web Development

The Career Counselor

Web Design and Web Development Career Information


web design and web development career informationT he Web is the ultimate playground for those with the skills and passion to shape it. Engaging and functional websites, mobile apps, and other online projects don't just build themselves. It takes professionals who know how to get the job done now while always keeping an eye on what's ahead. But web design and web development careers involve much more than you may currently realize. To some people, "WWW" could just as easily stand for "Wild Wild West" as for "World Wide Web." So it pays to know what you could be getting yourself into before making the leap. Still, there's no doubt about it: a career in web design or web development is rarely boring.

What is Web Design?

Despite some people's misconceptions, a web designer's job is not merely to make websites look good or well decorated. It goes much further than that. So, what is web design?

Good web design requires a combination of creative intuition with a sense for what is practical and technically feasible. Web design is built upon the fundamentals of traditional graphic design (e.g., form, composition, color, and typography), but its biggest purpose lies in crafting great online interactions and user experiences.

Whereas many graphic designers develop end solutions that are static (such as for print media), web designers must create solutions that account for the dynamic, ever-changing nature of the Web.

Like graphic designers, web designers must combine images and type into a coherent package that produces the intended results of a planned branding or communications strategy. Often, however, they must also design web pages in a way that encourages visitors of those pages to take specific actions. For this reason, many web designs are tested and retested to arrive at what works best at generating the desired outcomes.

In short, web design is about more than aesthetics. Carried out to its full potential, it can rightfully be called user experience (UX) design.

What is Web Development?

The stuff you see on screen represents only part of what makes up a website. It is the stuff you can't see—the code—that makes it all work (and which makes it possible for you to see anything on your screen in the first place). So, what is web development?

In its simplest form, web development is the practical implementation of web design. Without skilled web developers, even the most beautifully designed website layouts would fail to become functional reality. It would be like designing a sleek sports car without a muscular engine to power it. There wouldn't be any point.

Web development is all about the hidden details "under the hood." Good web programmers and developers craft and refine code to make the websites they build perform as efficiently as possible. In addition, they must ensure that the end results work well in all web browsers and on all targeted devices.

Why are Web Design and Web Development Important?

Technology is constantly evolving, and social norms are evolving with it. The online world is incredibly fluid. What is popular today might be forgotten about tomorrow. The behaviors and expectations of Internet users change. This means that the work of web designers and developers is never done.

Web design is important because Internet users judge a website's look and usefulness in only a few seconds. If a website isn't attractive, engaging, and easy to use, then visitors will move on—no matter how efficient the underlying code might be.

Web development, on the other hand, is important because great web design means nothing if a website takes a long time to load, features don't work, search engines can't find it, or if any number of other problems prevent visitors from using it as intended. Without web development, websites would lack interesting (and useful) features and functions.

Great online user experiences stem from the fusion of thoughtful web design with smart web development.

What is the Difference Between a Web Designer and a Web Developer?

Many people have the mistaken belief that web designers and web developers are the same thing. They use the terms interchangeably without realizing that there are important distinctions. And although the skill sets of these two occupations often do partially overlap each other, they nevertheless represent profoundly different talents and mindsets. It is extremely rare for someone to have mastered both web design and web development equally well.

So, what is the difference between a web designer and a web developer?

In general, the primary difference can be thought of this way: web designers deal with the parts of a website you can see, whereas web developers handle the stuff you can't see.

Web designers:

Web developers:

Even though designers and developers are different, they still have to work together. It takes open collaboration between them to produce quality websites that generate the results that a client or employer needs. Web designers and developers are often both involved in planning user interfaces and experiences. And both are equally important. They need each other.

What Do Web Designers Do All Day?

A typical workday for web designers depends a lot on their current projects and where they are in the process of carrying them out. But one thing is certain: they aren't just spending all day drawing pretty pictures on computer screens. Professional web designers have a lot to think about (and even more to do).

All possible tasks are too numerous to list; however, a web designer's day will generally involve a mixture of some of the following responsibilities:

What Do Web Developers Do All Day?

Like web designers, web developers also have numerous tasks that vary depending on the projects they're involved with and in what capacity they're working on them. Many websites require a team of web developers to produce and maintain them. And each web developer may bring different skill sets to the table. Still, most web developers share similar responsibilities.

A web developer's day can include a mixture of some of the following tasks:

How Much Does a Web Designer Make?

There are a number of factors that can determine your earning potential as a web designer. Salary level often depends on things such as the geographic location of your workplace, years of experience, company size, how well you perform, and the industry you work in.

That said, figuring out the going salaries of web designers can be a bit tricky. U.S. government statistics currently do not adequately separate web design from the larger categories of graphic design or web development. However, according to Salary.com's assessment of its own U.S. employer survey data, national web design salary averages break down this way:

How Much Does a Web Developer Make?

Job titles within the field of web development can vary substantially from employer to employer. So it can be a little difficult to really get a handle on just how much you might expect to make as a "typical" web developer. Salary also depends heavily on factors like your geographic location, level of experience, and the type of industry you're employed in.

According to Salary.com's analysis of national employer survey data, U.S. median salaries for a few of the possible job titles under the umbrella of web development look like this:

What are the Most Important Traits and Skills Needed to Be a Web Designer?

Anyone can buy a computer and load it with creative software. Doing so, however, doesn't make you a web designer any more than purchasing a toilet plunger makes you a plumber. The traits and skills needed for web design are not things you can just buy. Some of them need to be an inherent part of your personality. Others take work and time to develop.

Successful web designers generally possess the following:

What are the Most Important Traits and Skills Needed to Be a Web Developer?

Good web developers are special. They often seem able to perform the impossible (probably because they are frequently asked to do so and get plenty of practice). Many of the skills required for web development work can be learned, but not everyone has the innate personality traits for it.

Web developers who find long-term success often possess the following:

Can You Tell Me How to Become a Web Designer?

Although you can certainly teach yourself the technical skills that are required to produce websites, many professional web designers have, at minimum, received some kind of formal training in graphic design. In fact, an educational background in graphic design is often what separates the amateurs from the pros.

Good web design is built upon a strong foundation of graphic design fundamentals. Once you understand basic design principles, you are then ready to learn the stuff that is unique to web design. Learning the technical skills (such as how to use particular programs or how to write HTML and CSS) should not take priority over learning how to actually design. The tools of the job are always changing, but basic design fundamentals never do.

If you want to know how to become a web designer, you'd do well to consider these additional points about design education:

Of course, your education is only the beginning. The more challenging work in becoming a successful web designer happens in the so-called real world. Make sure you keep the following in mind:

Can You Tell Me How to Become a Web Developer?

There isn't just one right way to go about establishing a career in web development. Successful web developers have often taken very different paths to get where they are. Many have gone to college. Some haven't. A few are purely self-taught.

If you want to know how to become a web developer, then consider these points:

Are There Any Downsides to Being a Web Designer?

Most web designers love what they do. They have a passion for web design and wouldn't trade their career for any other. But like any occupation, there are downsides. The cons of being a web designer can include:

What are the Upsides of Choosing a Web Design Career?

For those who love the field of web design, the pros of working as a web designer tend to far outweigh the cons. The positive aspects of this occupation can include:

Are There Any Downsides to Being a Web Developer?

Web developers do not all share the same experiences. While most of them do enjoy their work (and would choose nothing else), many would also say that there are some drawbacks to choosing a career in web development. The downsides can sometimes include:

What are the Upsides of Choosing a Web Development Career?

Web development careers can have numerous built-in rewards. In fact, many web developers find that the positives of the occupation override any negative aspects. A few of the upsides include:

How Long Does It Take to Learn Web Design or Web Development?

First, consider this: Even professional web designers and developers never have the luxury to stop learning. It's an inherent part of the job because nothing changes faster than the Web. In this respect, the learning can last a lifetime. The amount of time it takes to learn basic web design or web development, however, depends on several factors such as:

Certificate and diploma programs often last only a few weeks or months, but they frequently cover just the surface of what you need to know. Undergraduate degree programs in design or computer science are usually more in-depth and typically take from two to four years to complete. Some people, however, need more time to finish a degree. Then, it often takes a good year or two of working for real clients or employers before feeling totally confident in your abilities.

Of course, everybody is different. If you've got the drive and the talent, then there is no reason you can't be doing professional-level web design or web development in less time than it would take other people to develop their skills in these fields.

What Can I Expect to Learn in Web Design School?

While it is true that school is not absolutely necessary to become a web designer, education requirements do sometimes exist in the form of employers who demand that job candidates possess a college degree. Plus, school can be a great way to learn the basic principles and skills needed for web design in a structured and supportive environment. The key to getting the most out of such an experience, however, is to first make sure you choose a good program.

Currently, there are no consistent standards for formal web design programs. Many schools focus too much on teaching students how to use the tools and technologies of the trade at the expense of first teaching them how to actually design. In addition, the tools and techniques that some web design schools teach can be outdated, leading to frustration for their students.

When picking a web design school, it's a good idea to make sure that any program you enroll in will include graphic design fundamentals in addition to coding and creative software basics. A good web design program will often include training in areas such as:

Some web design programs also include courses in subjects such as:

What Can I Expect to Learn in Web Development School?

Even though formal schooling isn't mandatory to become a web developer, education requirements are, nevertheless, imposed on job seekers by some employers. A college degree (often a bachelor's) is a prerequisite for many web development positions. But knowing what kind of post-secondary program to enroll in can be a little tricky since there are still relatively few programs dedicated specifically to web development. (And some schools promote programs that are more focused on web design than on programming and development.)

In general, though, you should look for a program with a solid emphasis on computer science and computer information systems theory. The most successful web developers have a strong understanding of the concepts behind the programming languages and coding techniques they use. They understand the why, not just the how. This is critical.

Therefore, in selecting a school for your web development education, it's important to make sure that any program you enroll in can give you a firm grounding in fundamental principles. As a would-be web developer, any formal education you pursue should teach you how to:

In terms of curriculum, good web development programs will usually cover subject areas such as:

Another thing to keep in mind is that formal courses are sometimes outdated in the tools and techniques they teach. In some cases, they can be years behind current convention and best practices. So it's a good idea to supplement any formal training you receive with information from well-updated and reputable online sources and outside mentors whenever possible.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Web Design or Web Development School?

Web design and web development programs are still relatively new to post-secondary education. Therefore, many universities and other colleges have not yet introduced programs focused specifically on these career fields. And the schools that do already have programs in place sometimes vary significantly in what they teach, the types of certificates or degrees they award, and how much they cost.

In general, tuition for web design and web development programs range from as little as about $2,500 to $50,000 or more. You can expect to pay the least amount of money for a certificate or diploma. And you'll pay less for a two-year associate's degree than for a four-year bachelor's. Cost also depends on the type of school you attend and where it is located.

What is the Outlook for Web Design and Web Development Jobs?

The future outlook for web designers and web developers is a little tricky to get a handle on. This is in large part because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, normally a clear and reliable source for such information, still lumps web professionals in with other more general, but related, occupations.

Web designers, for instance, are mentioned only in a roundabout way within the broad context of graphic design or, in a completely different context, as a particular type of web developer. And web developers are described, at least partially, as web designers while also being lumped together with information security analysts and computer network architects. It all gets a bit confusing and contributes to the misunderstandings people already have about the differences between web designers and web developers.

Nevertheless, the Bureau's employment projections are currently the best we have to go on.

As a broad field, employment in graphic design is expected to grow 13 percent between 2010 and 2020. However, when you single out the category of "computer systems design and related services," employment is expected to increase by 61% in that same period. * Presumably, web designers would fall into such a category.

On the other hand, employment of workers in the category that includes web developers, information security analysts, and computer network architects is expected to grow 22 percent between 2010 and 2020. *

So the official projections seem to paint a strong outlook for both web designers and developers, regardless of how they are defined. The reasons are pretty obvious. As more and more of our lives are conducted online, more and more web services are being launched and maintained. This requires more and more people with the knowledge and skills to design and develop those websites and applications.

And technology will keep changing. So as you look toward your possible future as a web designer or web developer, you need to be aware of the rapid online evolutions that could take place.

Mobile applications, for instance, are playing a greater and greater role in how people spend their time online. And the wider adoption of open web standards will also continue, along with design and development using HTML 5 and CSS 3. It will pay to know how to work with these technological advances.

How Can I Get Started?

If formal training is the route you'd like to take, then the best way to begin is by exploring some of the options available to you in your area. These lists of web design schools and web development schools offer a good starting point. Armed with the information above, be sure to ask good questions when you contact the schools that interest you most. You could soon be making your own inspired contributions to one of the most exciting and fastest-changing sectors around—the Web.


Find a School

Main Sources

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, website last visited on June 5, 2012.

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), website last visited on June 5, 2012.

WaSP InterACT, website last visited on June 5, 2012.

Opera: Web Standards Curriculum, website last visited on June 5, 2012.

AIGA, the professional association for design, website last accessed on May 11, 2012.

Usability Professionals' Association, website last visited on June 5, 2012.

Guild of Accessible Web Designers (GAWDS), website last visited on May 11, 2012.