Webflow Webdesigner: You want to be a webdesigner, but you still have doubts, simply because you don't know exactly what it requires, means and implies.

You are already a webdesigner, but you do not yet understand the real stakes of the job, its ins and outs. So you have a hard time considering yourself as such, and this has repercussions on your activity, the quality of your services and the rates you charge.

You're none of those things, but you're curious what it is?

In this article, I'll explain everything there is to know about the business.

#webdesigner #metierwebdesigner #webdesignerwebflow

🌈 Survey

In your opinion, are webdesigners and graphic designers the same?

Yes, they both work on the visuals

No, the other one focuses on the web (the wedesigner)

I have no idea, I prefer not to give my opinion

Anyway, I highly invite you to share your opinion with me in comments! We surely have different points of view. 🌈❤️

While waiting to answer this question, I'm going to introduce you to the world of web design through this guide.

Let's start by analyzing the missions of a webdesigner.

Contents

• Where do web designers work?
• What are the missions of a webdesigner?
• What is its Profile?
• What are its skills?
• What are its Qualities?
• What is his salary?
• How to become a Webdesigner?
• 1. A webdesigner who works in an agency
• 2. A freelance webdesigner
• What training should I take?
• How to improve as a webdesigner?
• How to stand out from other web designers?
• What is the future of the profession?

Conclusion

Webdesigner : Where do they work ?

They have a choice:

• some work in an agency, in an office space
• others are freelancers (and I am one of them)

In freelance as in agency, the webdesigner is often required to work with other people (especially for large-scale projects). He then builds a team.

Depending on the size of the project, this team is not only composed of web designers or graphic artists. Sometimes, other marketing professionals also work with them: translators, copywriters, developers...

Webdesigner : The missions

In general, we receive briefs about layouts, navigation, etc., and we are in charge of following the instructions. This way of working is done with clients who already know what they want.

However, a webdesigner should not only limit himself to the briefs. These will serve as a basis for understanding the needs of his clients. Do they want a showcase site or a dynamic site with other options? Which options exactly? Etc.

A verbal exchange would also be welcome. Once this is done, the webdesigner starts to make a model of the site with dedicated tools and software. For customers who do not know what they want, it will be the role of the webdesigner to guide him, to make him understand some issues and constraints of the web ...

As you can probably imagine, the webdesigner ensures that the site he will create will be "design". But not only that. A site that is pretty to look at and yet, not practical, will be useless.

It is therefore necessary to combine the 2: ergonomics and design.

Webdesigner : What is the profile ?

Wedbesign is not only a profession. It is above all an art. That's why webdesigners must have a great visual and graphic sensitivity. They must show great creativity.

Moreover, the web is in perpetual evolution. It is normal that we expect a web designer to have a good general culture of this world. They must therefore make watches.

Webdesigner : What skills should I have?

I consulted a lot of websites that give explanations about the webdesign profession. Most of them underline the fact that the mastery of HTML and CSS is of paramount importance when you decide to start in webdesign.

However, I do not share this opinion.

If you have been following me for some time now, you must know that I prefer no-code tools. In this guide, I have listed several tools, but one of the ones I use the most is Webflow. It allows you to create websites without codes (if you want to know more about it, don't hesitate to read the complete list of everything you need to know about Webflow.

Then, for the processing of visuals (website mock-ups among others), there are those who say you have to know how to handle Photoshop, inDesign or Illustrator. In my opinion, however, you have to find the tool that suits you best. There are of course many, I have listed a few tools and software for mockups and wireframes recently.

Maybe you'll find the one that suits you best?

Finally, I'd like to reiterate that you won't necessarily work alone, during your career. Even as a freelancer, from time to time, you will work with a team. That's why it's important to be able to work in a team.

Webdesigner : What are the qualities?

Creativity is a very sought after quality in a web designer. If a client uses your services, it is because he is looking for someone who can create an original website. Otherwise, he could have done it himself, who knows?

Added to this creativity: artistic sensitivity. This is the quality that will allow you to immediately imagine a website after talking to the client or reading his brief. We can also classify in this category the fact that you are meticulous and perfectionist when designing the website.

Then, you must have a great strength of proposal. It is possible that the client asks for 2 contradictory things in his brief. Or he may ask you to do something completely different from the norm. In this case, I strongly advise you to give your opinion and to advise him.

Curiosity is not a bad thing, if it's for a good cause! Do you remember? When I told you that you have to keep a constant watch on technology and creativity (latest software on the market, website trends, fashionable colors and typography ...)? Well, you can't do that without being curious. And if you don't like that word, maybe you prefer this one: alert mind.

Here is an example of change: if before, web designers created sites only for computers, they now take into account other terminals (tablets and smartphones of all screen sizes). The latter have their own needs and constraints.

There will also come a time when new tools will come on the market. When that day comes, you need to be able to try them out so you can get a good idea of what they offer. All this to say that you need to have more than one tool up your sleeve! Don't limit yourself to Photoshop or Figma. Be open-minded, try to learn all the time.

Finally, you need to be rigorous and organized. This is the key to any success.

Webdesigner : What is the salary ?

Everyone knows their values, so everyone has their rates. But on average, I was able to collect these figures from reliable sites (after they conducted their own survey):

• Junior Webdesigner: between 25K €/year and 30K €/year
• Senior Webdesigner : up to 40K €/year
• Expert Webdesigner: in the 50K €/year, even more according to his expertise and his reputation.

I'm not saying that these salaries are the norm. They vary depending on the web designer.

Also, as a freelancer, you have more margins. The more clients you have, the more your turnover increases.

How to become a webdesigner?

If you work in an agency

Agencies are continuously looking for new web designers to complete their team. The application procedures remain the same: sending a CV and a cover letter to the hiring manager. But to stand out from the crowd, you have to be creative ;)

If you work as a freelancer

If you want to work as a freelancer, you're going to think that it's going to be harder. But instead of thinking negative things, why not invade your mind with the advantages of working as a freelance web designer? One of the biggest advantages is, for example, the fact that you can specialize. I specialize in web design on Webflow.

Now let's get to the heart of the matter: how to become a freelance webdesigner? Here is thegolden rule: have the necessary skills and qualities, those I have just explained in the previous parts.

What if you don't have all these prerequisites? Don't panic. It's never too late to get trained. And when I say "training", I don't mean training in schools. If you want to go there, that's your choice. If not, you can always take online courses, at your own pace.

So degrees are not required for this job. All that matters is that you know how to do what you're doing, and to do that, you have to understand what your job really means. Indeed, it is a real job.

The fact that it doesn't require a specific degree doesn't make it a pseudo profession. And since it is a real job, I invite you to understand its ins and outs. From now on, you should not confuse it with other jobs. The graphic designer is different from the webdesigner.

If the web designer focuses on the overall site and the user experience. He wants to make it unique, but at the same time, he relies on the recommendations of his client. Above all, he makes sure that the whole thing is not only pleasing to the eyes; it has to be practical. On the contrary, a graphic designer does none of these things. He creates visual elements for a given audience.

You can also become a freelance web designer if you know how to meet your clients' needs. Your client should be satisfied with your work, as they would be with a graduate from a traditional school.

To be sure to satisfy your customers, you have no other choice than to continuously train yourself, to stay connected to the innovations related to your profession and to other fields (natural referencing among others).

What training should I take to become a web designer?

There is no specific training that you need to take. Being self-taught can also help a lot.

On the other hand, if you want to follow university courses (bacc +3 or +5), there are several schools of art or visual communication.

Let's not forget the online trainings on webdesign. They are numerous, but then how to choose? Why not start with the free trainings?

The only difference between online and university-based training is that you get a degree. However, these are only necessary to facilitate access to an agency position or to have a well-developed portfolio. I often say: what matters is that you are good at what you do.

Are you already a webdesigner? How to improve?

2 cases can occur:

• you are not yet a webdesigner, because you don't think you have the creativity for the job.
• you are already a webdesigner, but you want to improve yourself continuously.

Either one needs to work and stimulate their creativity . Indeed, good news! Creativity is a quality that can be worked on. How can it be worked on? Here are some tips:

• Have one or more sources of inspiration.

There are plenty of sites that can serve as sources of inspiration. To help you, I've gathered some of them in the happydesk.be dashboard. To access them, you just have to create an account on the site.

Social networks are also full of images and discussions that can serve as sources of inspiration. So, while you can, be present on social networks!

Finally, to gain even more inspiration, I suggest you get out of your comfort zone. If you've been a freelancer for a while, and you work mostly from home, it's high time to get out there. Going to coworking spaces (I've made a list of the ones I've been to) would be a great idea.

• Surround yourself with creative people

I take this opportunity to tell you about one of the advantages of coworking spaces: you can create a new network. There are not only webdesigners there. But I'm sure there are still creative people. Also, meeting other professionals who work in a different field than you do helps you to broaden your perspective, to have different ideas about any topic.

Working with another web design team is also another way to surround yourself with creative people.

• Be persevering and rigorous

Even webdesigners are sometimes out of inspiration. If you ever encounter the same problem, don't give up. It's true that a little break can always do you good, but other times, you just have to persevere and keep creating, trying things out... until the inspiration comes.

• Getting organized

When you organize your tasks, everything feels more free. And a free mind means: less stress. Studies show that when you are less stressed, you are more creative.

How do you stand out?

But if all web designers have all these qualities and skills, and if they are continuously working on their creativity, what will make me stand out from the others? How will I find my own clients?

Is that what you think?

You have to try to present a "plus" to your clients. What can you give more than the freelance platforms and other web designers? Besides your other values, what do you have that others don't? What do you like most and what do you do best?

And what about technological progress?

By technological advance, I mean different platforms such as Wordpress, Wix or Webflow . They offer ready-made themes. For some time now, ThemeForest has the wind in its sails!

I'm not talking about pseudo web designers who sell ready to use themes, but at ridiculous prices, thinking they will succeed. And there are those who succeed, hence the unfair competition.

What does the webdesigner do, in front of all this situation? The truth is, the web designer's job has a bright future!

You've probably noticed the advent of digital and web jobs. Lately, they are all the rage, whether in social networks or forums. If I have to advise people on the jobs of the future, I'll probably suggest them the web design job (as long as they have the necessary skills and qualities, and especially if they like the job).

You work mainly on the web. And the web is constantly evolving. It's only natural that web-related jobs have a bright future. There is still a lot to develop, to learn and to discover...

More and more sites are also being created regularly, every day. Those who use ready-made themes are no more successful than those who use the services of a web designer. The latter, before tackling anything, takes a close look at his target audience. He tries to know him before proposing a site that corresponds to his needs, his problems, etc.

On the other hand, pre-made themes are standard. It looks like they are adapted to any type of site, target, etc., but in reality, this is not the case. They don't respect the main steps of web design creation. They just create a beautiful site; nothing more. Thus, these sites do not necessarily achieve the goal that the future site owners have set: that of selling more products or services, or better communicate with their followers. The site is simply not adapted to their needs, their requirements, their expectations...

For those who create their own site (business owners among others), we can see that they do not master very well the web design and the rules that govern it. Some sites are not even accessible on other media (other than the computer). What an opportunity for webdesigners!

On the other hand, a webdesigner may not remain a webdesigner throughout his career. Like any job (and since it is a real job), he can evolve. Eventually, he can become an art director.

Conclusion

To answer the question at the beginning, the job of webdesigner and graphic designer are equally different from each other. The webdesigner has broader skills (web project as a whole) while the graphic designer focuses on specific elements. The webdesigner also makes sure that the whole site is intuitive (navigation), in addition to being design.

• Would you like to become one?
• You already are, but you want to get better and better?

Yes, it is possible! The basis is none other than creativity.

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