Web design can be a great career choice for individuals who like to exercise some creativity in their work. Many career choices that allow for creativity do not offer the level of compensation that you can get working as a web designer. If you are working as a graphic designer, commercial photographer, or in another related industry, you may want to consider how to transition into a career as a web designer.
Learn the Basics of Web Page Design
Programming may sound like something that you could never learn, but you may be surprised at how quickly you pick it up. Like any new skill, it can be frustrating, and you will hit roadblocks, but with time and dedication, nearly anyone can pick up coding. To work as a web designer, you will start by learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. From there, you may choose to learn some additional frameworks that make it easier to create seamless websites where the front-end, which is what others see, communicates with the back-end, which is where data is stored.
There are a variety of ways you can learn the skills you need to become a web designer. You can go to school and earn a degree in computer science, or you can attend a coding bootcamp. Both options have benefits and drawbacks. If you do not have a degree at all, you may benefit more from earning your degree, while if you have an existing degree in an unrelated field, a bootcamp may make sense. You can pay for either option with private student loans, which you can repay when you are working as a web designer.
Build a Portfolio
The best way to solidify your skills as you learn is to practice them repeatedly. Your first tries will be clunky and maybe even embarrassing, but over time you will refine your skills and learn more about what looks and works well on a website. Building a portfolio allows you to strengthen your skills while creating something you can use during your job hunt. You can use your portfolio website to practice all aspects of web design and development. It gives you experience not only creating an aesthetically pleasing site but maintaining one as well.
Network
No matter how quickly you catch on to coding, finding your first job in the industry can be tough. Competition can be fierce, and without a strong portfolio featuring a variety of clients, it can be a challenge to stand out. Start attending networking events early on in your training. If you are attending college, look into offering from your college’s career services. If you are attending a coding bootcamp, they may offer events as well. Meet-ups are a great place to make connections with others who are interested in coding and can make introductions that prove valuable later on. Don’t wait until you are ready to apply for jobs to start building your network. If an opportunity comes up, don’t worry that you do not have the skills necessary. Volunteer, attend conferences and reach out to others whose work you admire. When you are ready to build your career, you should already have a network in place to help ease the transition.
