Becoming a web designer is not the dream that most little children have when they are going to sleep, but many kids grow up to find out that web designers are paid far better than firemen, policemen, cowboys, or unicorn riders. Professional web designers earn an excellent paycheck, and it can be one of the best careers to explore if you are considering branching out and trying something new. However, in order to be an effective web designer, there are a few skills that are essential for you to develop:
Layout Skills
When it comes to making an effective website, the layout of the website is one of the most important things. The layout is the structure of the page, how much space is between each item on the page, the margins around the content, and the way the page is presented. Learning layout is so much more than learning how to use whitespace effectively, as you will need to learn the rule of thirds, margins, and 101 other tricks and techniques.
Graphic Design Skills
Laying out the website is only the first step, and you have to create the nifty graphics that will be used for your website. Aside from the text that you will use, you have to choose the right color scheme, template, theme, and patterns that will make your website look professional, fun, light, or whatever tone you are going for. Learning graphic design is something that is easy to do, but it takes years to become a true expert that can make web pages that are attractive and professional.
Photo Editing Skills
Yes, you will need to edit photos to use for your website. Editing photos doesn’t just mean shrinking them or making them larger, but it means learning how to use the photos to the best advantage, how to crop and slice the photos properly, and even how to choose the best photos for your website. While the text of the website is important for rankings and marketing, the images that you use are there to attract readers. You have to attain the proper balance between content and images, and learning photo editing is imperative.
Writing Skills
Unless you want to spend money on hiring freelance writers to come up with the content of your website, you will need to develop the ability to write at least a few simple articles a month. The content you place on your site will be important for not only your SEO, but also for providing value to your visitors. If you skip out on the writing skills, you may end up with a very boring website.
Coding Skills
The final step in the design of your website is putting it all together in the web page, and this is often the hardest part. Learning the codes that are needed will enable you to get your website up and running, and will enable you to make a professional website. You will need to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and a few other languages that will help you make dynamic websites that will be attractive and professional.
Discover how to use the special features in Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 and CS5.5 to create professional looking websites from an experienced professional. Learn more about this web design program through our Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5 Training.
