5 Skills Every Web Designer Should Possess
Web Designer Skills
- The Ability to Build Relationships With Clients
- An Understanding of How to Use Machine Learning in Website Design
- The Ability to Code Dynamic Websites to Create Customized Experiences
- Data Literacy
- An Understanding of Information Security Best Practices
If you’re thinking of studying to be a web designer, you’ll probably need a whole different skill set than you think you do. While you’ll obviously need to perfect the historically important set of webmaster’s skills including Photoshop, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery, you’ll also need to be aware that web design is on the verge of a complete revolution.
In the past, web designers could count on earning steady streams of income from tasks like tweaking fonts, adjusting column widths and updating color schemes. In the future, artificial intelligence is likely to assume responsibility for completing these sorts of tasks. According to Forbes, a web designer’s job is likely to increase in complexity, while the volume of repetitive tasks is likely to shrink. Let’s take a look at 5 of the most essential skills for the web designers of the future to master.
The Ability to Build Relationships With Clients
Relationship building has always been a critical component of success in any business venture. That reality is not likely to change, even if an onslaught of technological changes is imminent in your industry. People still connect best with other people – so network, connect, collaborate, build trust and have fun with the people who would make your ideal web design clients. Those relationships will be invaluable when you seek work in the future.
An Understanding of How to Use Machine Learning in Website Design
Machine learning? For web design? Yes, you read that right. It might seem like a puzzling skill to include on a list of essential skills for web design professionals – but it isn’t as farfetched as you might think. Artificial intelligence is already being used to algorithmically design websites. Incorporating this technology into your workflow is smart and efficient. It’s a way to differentiate yourself from your less technologically savvy competitors in the web design space.
The Ability to Code Dynamic Websites to Create Customized Experiences
Online sales are becoming increasingly dependent on delivering a personalized, relevant shopping experience to the customer. Amazon.com is setting the standards for consumer expectations with the customized product recommendations they present to their repeat buyers. You’d be wise to obtain the coding experience necessary to create these same sorts of customized experiences for your clients — otherwise, you’ll lose work to web designers who do have these skills.
Data Literacy
In times past, data wasn’t something web designers had to worry too much about. These days, professionals in just about every profession need data literacy skills to ensure success at their jobs. When it comes to web design, there are numerous touch points where the incorporation of data analysis is critical for success.
An Understanding of Information Security Best Practices
Cyber crime threatens the profitability of every business in the online space. As a web designer, you’ll need to be aware of the tactics cyber criminals use to steal data and compromise information systems. The way you organize a website’s architecture can make a significant difference in either encouraging or preventing security breaches. Form a habit of systematically incorporating security and privacy protocols into every interface you design.
Concluding Thoughts
These skills, obviously, are not the only ones that are important for web designers. The old standby skills of Photoshop, HML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery have not lost their value for aspiring web design professionals. Think of these as being 5 not-so-obvious, yet critical skills that will be essential for maintaining a job as a web designer in the technologically enabled world of the future.
Related Resources:
