7 skills that web designers must have

Web design is both a science and an art. Web design work is half based on proper programming and design skills, and the other half is based on having an intuitive sense of what is beautiful and what is not. A qualified web designer must master core basic skills in order to stand out among his peers.

So, how should we develop our basic abilities? You can’t get fat by eating one bite at a time. Of course, there is no substitute for experience, but a good education, both formal and informal, can also help tremendously. At the same time, it is strongly recommended that everyone constantly challenge themselves, step out of their comfort zone, and take on new areas. This is the difference between constantly searching for clients and clients actively searching for you.

Below are some essential basic skills that excellent web designers must master and can help them reach a superior level. These basic abilities are not necessarily all at the technical and computer skill level.

1. Familiar with the overall design process

Note the word “whole.” Web design sometimes overlaps with graphic design, so different types of design schools can sometimes be very similar. That’s why as a web designer who is proud of his or her work, you also need to learn some general basic design process knowledge. This includes the following principles:

color

Color is at the heart of web design and helps establish the theme and purpose of a design. Additionally, it has a psychological effect, meaning that color can influence the way website visitors perceive their website user experience.

Trends

Flow refers to the direction in which a website visitor's vision moves as they experience the website. Direction involves the appropriate use of depth, color, layering, shape and line. The orientation includes viewing angle, spacing and facing direction.

Balance and Proportion

This refers to visual stability and balance. Proportion can be divided into two types: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Proportion is often used to emphasize important elements and thus improve the flow of information.

spacing

Spacing This one is pretty straightforward. It refers to the distance between different elements. For a website to have an excellent user experience, it must have proper spacing arrangements. Generally speaking, the spacing should be large enough to give different elements enough breathing room, but not too large to affect readability. The key is how to strike the right balance.

2. Know HTML by heart

When it comes to understanding HTML, we have to talk about writing code. Some designers think that it doesn’t matter if they can’t write code, but others firmly believe that knowing how to write code is a must for being a qualified web designer. I think that to be a well-rounded designer, you need to at least know the most basic HTML knowledge. That’s the minimum!

HTML is the most basic framework for all web pages, so designers must have some knowledge of it. Knowing HTML can make your designs more purposeful and practical. If you can understand basic code, you can create mockups of the websites you design, which will give you an advantage when marketing your services over other designers who don’t know how to code, and will also give you a better understanding of the boundaries of your design abilities.

3. Learn how to write perfect copy

As a web designer, you’re responsible for more than just designing. Sometimes you’ll also need to write the website copy, especially if you don’t have a copywriter to work with. Think of it this way: a designer who also has excellent copywriting skills will be more attractive to clients and will command a higher price.

Don't think that being able to write good copy is just a sideshow when designing a client's website. Being able to write good copy is a key asset that will give you an edge when it comes to marketing yourself. Think about it, if you can write first-rate copy, your sales emails will be much more effective.

4. Live and learn

There are always mountains outside the mountains, which is a saying that all web designers should keep in mind. Continuously learning new knowledge and techniques will allow you to continue to wow your clients, expand your creativity, improve your skills, and thus increase your overall passion for design.

One of the biggest reasons to keep learning is the constant emergence of new trends in web design. Think back to the things we have heard of in the past few years: parallax scrolling, flatness, and the most popular Material Design. In the field of design, learning never stops. Continuous learning can keep you at the forefront of trends and make you an excellent designer with a comprehensive appearance.

5. Develop some business skills

Many web designers will work as a freelancer at some point in their career, so it makes sense that they would have certain important business skills. You are a business unto yourself, and the great service you sell is your web design talent. Without business skills, you will struggle in tasks such as self-promotion, finding clients, and maintaining clients.

But if you know how to operate it, you can make decisions about finding clients and projects with more confidence. At the same time, you can also learn the skills of "multitasking", which allows you to use your talents as a creative designer to make a lot of money in the business ocean, while continuing to make great strides in your career path.

6. Master the skill of listening

When working with clients, you always have to listen to what they want from their website, so it is absolutely necessary to master the skill of listening. Listening is a life skill that can be used in a variety of different fields, and it is naturally essential to master it as a web designer.

If you can’t or refuse to listen to what your clients are saying, you won’t be a successful designer, at least from a business perspective. Customers will always repeatedly ask or tell you to adjust or modify the design in the work procedures. But you can't be annoying or give people an unprofessional impression (it will affect business). Instead, you have to learn to listen to their needs, think carefully and then put forward your own opinions and suggestions. It would be best if the customer's request is feasible. You just have to do it and show that you care about your customers' needs.

7. Reach your own web design apex

No matter what industry you are in, reaching the peak of your career is the most fundamental goal. This cannot be achieved in a day or two, or even a year or two, but it can be achieved with persistent determination and continuous progress. If you are passionate about your work, you will enter this state unconsciously and imperceptibly. Of course, you can also use some methods to speed up this process.

However, the key is that you have to do everything to achieve perfection. The key to becoming a better designer is to not limit yourself to just designing what you do. It is also the starting point for you to move towards the master state.