The Ultimate Guide to a Career in Web Design

If you have an artistic flair but also enjoy the more technical side of a project, web design might be a great career path for you to consider. As a web designer, you’ll use programming languages to create beautiful online creations, so the job requires someone with both a strong attention to detail and an eye for great design. Let’s take a closer look at this field and why you may want to consider it!

Web Design Tasks

Good web designers have to be jacks (and jills) of all trades, since most webmasters want their websites to perform varying functions, all while remaining pleasing to the eye and easy to use. Most web designers work with website owners to initially plan a website, which will include tasks such as determining the tone/style, choosing fonts and colors, defining an audience and determining how they’ll use the site, ensuring that design plans are compatible across all browsers, planning the structure of the site so it is as functional as possible, and more. From there, you’ll move on to actually building the site, ensuring that your plan takes shape. Many web designers work with teams that include coders, graphic artists, search engine optimizers, and writers; some web designers do all of the work themselves. As a web designer, you could work for a design company, own your own business working with multiple clients, or work with a single large corporation.

Characteristics of a Good Web Designer

First and foremost, good web designers have to be able to work in collaboration with others. Even if you do all of the web design work yourself, from the planning to the coding, you’ll be working with clients to create their vision for a website, which might not always match with your own aesthetics. Web designers also have to fall into a teaching role, as you may have to explain to your client why something won’t work well or show your clients how to maintain the site after it has been created.

Web Design Education

The days of self-taught web designers are coming to an end. While you can still find jobs if you’re good at what you do, many employers and clients want to hire designers who not only have great portfolios, but also have studied in the field of web design. In addition, since this is such a malleable industry, continuing education is important to stay on top of new trends and technologies.

Top Web Design Schools Online

Web design, Web site development, and Web programming are disciplines that require advanced training. While a college degree is not essential to become a good Web site designer or Webmaster, obtaining at least an associate's degree in the subject will not only sharpen your skills, but also look good on your resume to any potential employer. The schools listed below offer Web design or similar degrees through their online learning programs.

DeVry University
AS in Web Design
DeVry University — DeVry University's AS in web design helps students gain mastery over software applications, fundamental design principles, programming for web design and online graphics, and web content management strategies. Students learn all types of graphic media for marketing, advertising, teaching, and other multimedia projects. Graduates are equipped with a professional portfolio of design samples.
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Baker College
AAS in Web Development
BA in Web Development
Baker College — Baker College offers two accredited degrees in Web Development both at the campus and through online courses for students who want to pursue lucrative careers in an industry that is ever-expanding: a Bachelors and Associates in Web Development. These programs are designed to be completed at your own pace from school, your home, or even on the go. Moreover, the online programs offer an affordable option as they cut many of the costs associated with campus programs.
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Kaplan University
BS in Web Design
Kaplan University — Kaplan University's BS in web design program prepares students to enter into successful careers as web designers, programmers, and information technology specialists. The program is designed to enable students to design real-world media products and create solutions for hardware and software problems. However, success in the industry isn't entirely dependent on programming skills. Students also learn to evaluate trends and new products to determine their effectiveness.
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Full Sail University
BS in Web Design
Full Sail University — Full Sail University's BS in Web design & development teaches students the technology they need to understand the language of Web design and create interactive web content. The program covers front and back end development for the web, PDAs and cell phones, and requires students to master the multiple languages used in today's hottest technology.
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Strayer University
BS/IS in Web Development
Strayer University — The Strayer University BS degree in information science with a concentration in Web development is a relatively new program that teaches cutting edge web development techniques. The curriculum, offered online, combines a campus-based approach and enhances it with simulations and other hands-on technology. This degree is designed for the busy working professional that seeks advanced training in web technology.
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International Academy of Design & Technology
AS in Web Design
BFA in Graphic Design
International Academy of Design & Technology — The International Academy of Design & Technology offers an AS in web design and a BFA in graphic design. Programs blend the technological and artistic skills needed to start successful careers in graphic design for print and the internet with courses like Digital Imaging, Multimedia Design, and Programming for the Internet.
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University of Phoenix
BS in IT/Multimedia
University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix offers a BS in Information Technology with a multimedia specialization. With an emphasis on visual communication, students develop digital media skills as well as gain a foundation in core technologies and design principles. Additionally, students also learn telecommunications, technical writing, programming, computer networking, and information systems.
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Rasmussen College
AS in Web Design
Rasmussen College — Rasmussen College's AS in web design teaches students how to develop websites to be visually engaging through the use of color, sound, images, graphics, animation and text. The art of building a successful website requires as much technological skill as artistic talent, as well as a foundation in psychology and behavioral principles.
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University of Massachusetts
Web Design and Dev Cert
University of Massachusetts — The Website Design and Development certificate program from University of Massachusetts gives students a foundation in design for the web and building dynamic websites. Students will learn to use software and programming languages like PHP and Javascript to build advance websites that follow today's standards and latest advances. Students will also learn how to translate their designs into layouts usable by all browsers.
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Art Institute of Pittsburgh
AS in Media Design
BS in Graphic Design
BS in Media Design
Art Institute of Pittsburgh — The Art Institute of Pittsburgh's AS in media design, BS in graphic design, and BS in media design degree programs prepare artistic students with the practical business and technological skills they need to make their art marketable. Media design degrees concentrate on web design and programming languages. Graphic design teaches students to make images to sell ideas in a variety of media. The BS in media design gives students the technological skills and creative support they need to venture into the job market successfully.
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American InterContinental University
BFA in Web Design
American InterContinental University — The American InterContinental University's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Web Design & Development gives students the basic principles of web design, like how to develop websites that are effective and user-friendly, and how to make the web experience more engaging through the use of graphics, sound, and typography. Students develop the skills they need to become professional web designers and developers.
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Westwood College
BS in Web Design
BFA in Animation
BS in Game Design
Westwood College — Westwood College's BS in web design, BFA in animation, and BS in game design programs effectively combine instruction in technology, programming, industry-current tools, and artistic foundations to produce students who can create compelling and engaging images on the internet, or in a variety of gaming platforms. Instructors are not only knowledgeable technology professionals, but have real-world insights to offer in career-focused classes.
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South University
BS/IT in Web Management
South University — South University's BS in IT with a specialization in web management prepares students with theoretical and applied knowledge that allows them to become effective and informed web administrators. Students study system analysis, design, programming, and case studies in classes that promote communication skills along with critical thinking. Graduates are prepared to enter into a variety of information technology fields.
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Sessions College for Professional Design
AOS in Web Design
Sessions College for Professional Design — Sessions College for Professional Design's Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) programs prepare students to enter immediately into careers in the design industry. Their AOS in web design program covers all the tools and skill sets students need to start designing effective websites for businesses or private use. Graduates leave with a professional portfolio of design work to show potential clients.
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