What You Need to Know to Become a Web Designer

Many people think of a web designer as someone who just creates web pages out of thin air. While that is technically true, there's more to being a web designer than putting up a Wordpress blog and choosing backgrounds. To be a web designer, you need to be familiar with various software programs and keep up on the latest developments in web design. Here you'll find out the areas of knowledge in which you'll need to be proficient as well as whether you need a diploma in order to design cool web pages.

Software

You have probably seen advertisements touting do-it-yourself websites. These sites just ask the user to pick from a pre-selected palette of themes, fonts and backgrounds. Web designers create all of this by themselves with the help of software programs. They do this with a few programs issued by Adobe. The two you'll definitely need to know are Photoshop and Illustrator.

You'll also need to have a deep knowledge of Adobe's Fireworks and Dreamweaver. These programs should give you the best leeway in producing the web pages that you will bring you even more satisfied.

Programming Languages

While the artistic side of creating web pages is fun, there's another side to creating a new web presence. You'll have to possess a deep knowledge of several programming languages. You've probably heard or even seen HTML sometime in the past few years.

In addition to HTML, learning CSS, Javascript, Flash, PHP and jquery will open more professional doors for you and your business. You might be thinking "how will I learn all of these programming languages?" or "I just want to make cool web pages." The next section will describe your education options.

Should I Stay or Should I Go to College?

Many people learn web design in a 2 or 4 year college program. There are benefits to pursuing higher education. You'll have the help and guidance from faculty who are also working professionals. You'll be among people who are interested in the same things as you.

However, there are many people who are great web designers who don't have a degree. If you have a passion for the field, are a quick learner and can work independently, you could probably learn all the fundamentals on your own. You'll just have to be proactive about keeping up on the latest developments in the field.

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