For Better Web Site Design Job Prospects, Increase Technical Skills

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@Webdesignschoolreview.com
Web Design School Review Columnist

Graphic designers with the best job prospects are those with technical skills in Web site design, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What does that mean for professional Web site designers? Add computer technology to your list of skills.

The Bureau doesn’t explicitly state that Web site designers with more advanced technical skills earn more money. But they do suggest that your job prospects will be brighter if you can do more than assemble colors, graphics, and typography effectively.

It’s also worth comparing the salaries of graphic designers with computer programmers. In 2004, Graphic designers garnered median annual salaries of $38,030 while programmers earned $62,890. It seems reasonable to expect that a Web site designer with programming skills might earn more than one with only graphic design abilities.

Building Your Professional Web Design Skills

So what’s your next step? Develop your programming and overall computer technology skills. This can mean lots of things, but mostly you’ll want to focus on technology that can be used to make you a faster, more flexible professional Web designer.

Start by learning a programming language, such as PHP, if you don’t already know one. You’re creating Web sites, right? So it seems reasonable that you could benefit from knowing a thing or two about how the back end of a Web site works. In short, it makes you a more valuable, well-rounded Web site design professional.

This may not be as important in a company with on-staff programmers. However, if you work as the sole administrator of a Web site, you may be called upon to create technical features in addition to design elements. Forms, for example, are extremely common on Web sites. To create them, you need some programming proficiency.

Don’t let inadequate technical skills limit your professional Web design career. Get the advanced education needed to boost your earnings potential and opportunities for desirable work.

Source:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

Posted at 11:56 AM on January 1, 2007

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