Web designer

Web designers create appealing, user-friendly websites.

Also known as:

• Digital designer

Work activities

Web designers create appealing, user-friendly websites. They may meet with clients in order to understand the customer’s needs and project. Web designers research the industry, understand the audience and stay on top of market trends to ensure that designs match up with user expectations, offering an appropriate experience for website visitors.

Web designers ensure the websites they create offer an intuitive user experience which is easy to navigate and accessible to users with different needs. They must understand human-computer interaction principles and keep on top of technological developments and users’ changing expectations to design websites with a user-friendly interface. Web designers are intentional about every aspect of their design and how it meets the needs and expectations of the intended audience. This includes typography, visual hierarchy, layout, colour scheme and other elements. Design must be responsive, adapting to different devices to offer a smooth experience to users on mobile, tablet and desktop.

Web designers collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, content creators and marketers. They must be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively to ensure that design solutions are impactful, technically feasible and aligned with project timelines and objectives. Throughout the design process, web designers engage in iterative refinement, taking on feedback from colleagues and clients and conducting usability testing to validate design decisions.

Personal qualities and skills

As a web designer, you’ll need:

• Attention to detail: Ability to pay attention to the smallest detail of website design and ensure every aspect works as intended.
• Teamwork: Capacity to work effectively with others, including developers, clients and other designers.
• Creativity: Ability to develop unique and visually appealing design solutions.
• Critical thinking: Capable of evaluating design options and making informed decisions based on usability and functionality.
• Interpersonal communication: To convey ideas, receive feedback and collaborate with team members and clients.
• Problem-solving abilities: Ability to identify and address design challenges and technical issues encountered during the web design process.
• Project management skills: In order to manage deadlines, prioritise tasks and coordinate resources effectively.
• Time management: Ability to efficiently allocate time and resources to meet project deadlines and deliver high-quality work.

You’ll develop the following technical skills during your education and/or training:

• Cross-browser compatibility knowledge: Understanding of how websites render and function across different web browsers to ensure consistency and accessibility.
• Design tools proficiency: Familiarity with software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch or Figma to create and manipulate visual elements.
• Graphic design skills: Proficiency in creating and manipulating images, icons and other graphical elements to enhance website aesthetics.
• HTML/CSS proficiency: Knowledge of markup and styling languages to implement design concepts into functional web pages.
• Knowledge of user experience (UX) principles: Understanding of user experience principles to create intuitive and user-friendly website interfaces.
• Mobile responsiveness expertise: Ability to design websites that adapt and function well on various mobile devices and screen sizes.
• Responsive design techniques: Knowledge of techniques and best practices for creating responsive websites that adjust to different screen sizes and devices.
• Typography knowledge: Understanding of typography principles to select appropriate fonts and styles that enhance readability and visual appeal.
• Understanding of colour theory: Knowledge of colour principles and psychology to create visually harmonious and engaging colour schemes.
• User interface (UI) design skills: Proficiency in designing user interfaces that are visually appealing, intuitive to navigate, and aligned with user needs and preferences.

Pay and opportunities

Web designers can expect to earn between £18,000 and £40,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications and seniority. You may work between 37 and 39 in a typical week.

Many web designers are employed for agencies, either providing services to many clients across a range of industries or specialising in particular areas, such as the not-for-profit sector. As well as creating or updating the initial website design, you may provide ongoing support to clients who wish to make regular updates. Tech companies and businesses specialising in e-commerce often employ in-house web designers as their websites develop continually. Web designers also operate on a freelance basis.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on national and global jobs boards, sites like LinkedIn, industry websites such as Digital Marketing Jobs and Dice, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

Web designers often hold degrees and even postgraduate qualifications. Increasingly, apprenticeships provide a route into web design straight from school or college.

Relevant degree programmes include:

• Computer science
• Digital media development
• Web design and development

By taking an apprenticeship, you will train on the job, working towards relevant qualifications appropriate to the apprenticeship level you are undertaking. For example, if you do a level 3 apprenticeship, you may work towards a diploma, while a level 6 apprentice could work towards a degree. Programmes include:

• Creative digital design professional (level 6 / degree)
• Digital user experience (UX) professional (level 6 / degree)

Qualifications

To begin a degree course, you usually need:

• Two to three relevant A-levels/equivalent. Computing is relevant to a career in web design.
• GCSEs in English, maths and sometimes other subjects.

To get onto a level 6 (degree) apprenticeship, you’ll need two relevant A-levels/equivalent. You will usually need GCSEs in English and maths as well.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter a degree, foundation degree or HND course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, for example, Access to Computer Science. You don’t usually need any qualifications to enter an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider. A foundation year before the start of a science degree or HND is available at some universities and higher education colleges for students who don’t have the A-levels usually needed for entry.

Related careers

• Computer engineer
• Computer game designer
• Software developer