As the internet continues evolve and expand at an exponential rate, job opportunities in the industry are also increasing—particularly in web design, where demand is above average. Whether you’re pursuing a salaried position or wroking as a freelancer, a career in web design offers diverse employment opportunities, competitive salaries, and the chance to apply both technical and creative skills.

What does a career in web design involve?

A career in website design can include designing, creating, and coding various types of websites. Other typical tasks include consulting with clients to define website specifications, incorporating feedback, working on graphic design and image editing, and integrating multimedia features such as audio and video. Requiring a range of creative and technical skills, web designers may be involved in work across a range of industries, including software companies, IT consultancies, web design companies, corporate organizations, and more. Unlike web developers, web designers typically take on a more creative role, shaping the overall vision and design of a site while determining the best way to incorporate necessary functionality. However, there can be significant overlap between the roles.

Full-stack, back-end, and front-end web development

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook categorizes web developers and digital designers together. However, they define them separately, stating that web developers create and maintain websites and are responsible for the technical aspects including performance and capacity. Web or digital designers, on the other hand, are responsible for the look and functionality of websites and interfaces. They develop, create, and test the layout, functions, and navigation for usability. Web developers may specialize in back-end, front-end, or full-stack development, typically using a range of programming languages, libraries, and frameworks. Web designers may work more closely with front-end engineers to establish the user-end functionality and appearance of a site.

Are web designers in demand in 2022?

In our rapidly evolving digital landscapes, the demand for websites—and for web designers and developers continues to grow. With 17.4 billion websites online as of January 2020, the demand for web developers is expected to continue rising. Web designers with strong coding skills are typically more in demand and can often command higher salaries. As with any profession, opportunities vary—some positions offer higher pay than others. However, mastering fundamental web design skills remains essential for success in the field.