Web Designer and Developer: Job Description
The IT sector is arguably the most dynamic and robust spheres in which to do business, network, and create and develop projects. For every storefront that opens its doors on Main St., there must be a coordinating website, social media pages, ERM and CRM tools to stay up-to-date with suppliers and organize customers, and other key digital assets. And it isn’t just businesses that need to maintain an online presence. Non-profits, educational facilities, government agencies, creative individuals and even healthcare organizations all must maintain an online presence if they wish to be found by their niche audience. A web designer and developer’s job is to help individuals and groups achieve these online facets. In summary, this is a job that is essential in today’s digitally-connect world and it isn’t one that’s going away anytime soon.
If this sounds like a career that you might be interested, consider the following guide to the tasks of a web designer and developer, the necessary skills, and how you can get started on working towards this career today:
What does a web designer and developer do? What's the difference between the design aspect and the development aspect?
While many professionals and the general public will use the terms 'web design' and 'web development' interchangeably, they do denote separate jobs. However, in today's highly competitive world, it is best to have a strong understanding of both as skills in both web design and development are required to create a strong website. So, here's what you should know:
- Web Design Work - Think of web designing as everything on the 'front end' of a website, or everything that the end-user will be interacting with. Web designers focus on making a good looking website that is easy for customers to interact with. For this reasons, experienced web designers are often also referred to as 'experience designers' or 'UX designers'.
- Web Development Work - Web development is itself separated into two focuses: front-end development work and back-end development work. Front-end development focuses on a website's visual design, taking an idea and building the code necessary to implement that idea. This often takes knowledge and use of more than one type of developer code. HTML is frequently used to create a website's structure, CSS for the visual style and layout, and sometimes Javascript to animate certain aspects. In contrast, back end development focuses on the more advanced programming that allows a website to work and function, such as enabling online payment processing.
What are the Important Traits of a Good Web Designer and Developer?
- Exceptional patience. Web design and development takes an exceeding amount of patience as professionals in this industry must learn how to translate their customers' ideas and goals into fully-functioning websites and programs. Web developers are continually testing new programs to find where issues lay, and know how to tease out errors to make necessary improvements.
- Thirst to learn. While you will certainly learn all the necessary starting tools and programs during your time at school, it is important to know that the Internet and the many products and programs that utilize it are constantly evolving. Good web designers and developers understand that to stay at competitively at the top of this field takes continued study.
- Love for the web and problem-solving. Finally, it is important for students interested in this industry to have a love of the web and web pages. The best web designers and developers do a lot of browsing and inspecting of other web pages to see what works and what they like. They then consider how they can translate new components into their next project. Remember, this career is more than just simply making a web page 'look pretty'. Rather, web designers and developers strive to make a website work seamlessly for both the customer and their audience, while ensuring it likewise looks great and appeals to the audience as well.
How Can Someone Get Started in This Field?
Everyone knows that one person who dropped out of high school, taught themselves web design, and now enjoys a successful career in the field. However, while this path may have been common years ago when the Internet was just taking off, now it's much less likely to guarantee success. In contrast, going through an accredited program to get a degree helps ensure you learn all of the many new programs, codes, and techniques available. Additionally, larger companies and institutions prefer to hire web designers and developers that can prove via a degree their knowledge and experience in the various aspects of web design and development.
Do you fit the profile of a future web designer and developer? If you are interested in earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Software Development - Web Design and Development Track, consider ECPI University for the educational foundation you need. With accelerated classes and a year-round schedule you could move through your degree program faster than a traditional college. For more information, contact a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Web Development - Bachelor’s
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