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What are website designers?
Website designers
may or may not be a computer programmer, but most have at the least
some programming skills. Many website designers are also web
programmers, which means they not only are the architect of how a
page will appear on the Internet but also implement their own
designs through programming. They can thus be called part
artist/writer and part computer expert.
One of the most
important tasks of the website designers are the creative design of
web pages, usually by working with a client who articulates certain
needs or functions that the web page must fulfill. Website designers
tend to be excellent in working with graphics software, like
Photoshop®, and many are also very good with programs like Java®,
which can animate graphics. They frequently have experience working
with a variety of media programs to add sound or film clips to web
pages. Overall, the goal is to create pages with a specific design,
a uniform graphic set, and eye grabbing details. Depending upon the
needs of the client, a web designer may also write content for
pages, though sometimes they merely edit and program content that
clients provide.
There can be a
great difference to no difference between website designers and a
web programmer. Programmers may only implement designs by
programming in HTML, XTML, and various other Internet languages.
They may set up special functions like shopping cart software, and
they may be responsible for maintenance of existing web pages and
introduction of new data. Web designers, especially one with lots of
programming talent may also do this. In fact many website designers
offer both design and programming services. At other times,
designers are the graphic specialists, integrating the client’s
requirements into artistically rendered pages that are easy to use
for visitors.
Web designers must
keep abreast of current trends in the Internet industry. They must
figure out what services are expected, what graphics are most likely
to be received well and enjoyed, and how a page will rank high in
search engines. By working with clients they get a sense of what
basic functions the web page (or multiple ones) must serve, but they
may also help clients formulate plans on how to keep web pages most
approachable, and graphically interesting. Many are terrific artists
who may have worked in other fields of graphic design prior to
becoming website designers.
A lot of debate
exists on the qualifications needed to become a website designers.
Some people are not college educated but have been navigating and
programming pages for so long it doesn’t matter. A number of
freelance website designers have at the least taken classes in art
and design, and may have taken a few programming classes specific to
different programs that can help them best create pages. Others have
extensive programming or design background and hold undergraduate
degrees.
Degrees tend to be
less important than demonstrated ability when choosing a website
designers. Instead of viewing credentials, evaluate the pages a
person has constructed to see if the aesthetic value is close to
what you want. Check pages to be sure all aspects are functioning
appropriately and to determine if the website designers/programmer
is equally skilled at implementing functions needed on your site.
Suppose for a
moment that you have decided to build a store. You are not going to
do the actual work yourself because you are going to hire a
contractor. Your contractor will design and construct your store for
you. When completed, she/he will give you the keys to your new
store.
How would the
store construction evolve? Would you simply say to the contractor
"Build me a 4000 sq. ft. store. How much will it cost?" and leave
the contractor to provide all the design elements, the colors,
textures and furnishings? No, you would not, and your contractor
would have no idea how to quote you a price. While the contractor
could provide you with a 4000 sq. ft. store, it is unlikely that it
would meet your wants, needs, or desires. You know your business
better than anyone. So you provide the contractor with a guide to
how your store should be constructed, what it should contain, and
how it interacts with your customers. This is why we ask our
prospective clients to complete a preliminary questionnaire.
Your contractor
does all this after signing a contract with you. The contract spells
out a role for each person involved in the construction. If you can
provide some of the labor, your costs will be lower. If you provide
the right input, you are assured that your store will truly be what
it is you wanted.
Nobody knows how
you want your store to look, feel, and communicate better than you
do. Your contractor can make some educated guesses about your
business and place those assumptions into your store, but will you
be really happy with the results? And wouldn't you expect the
contractor to charge you more for providing these things instead of
you providing them yourself? Time is money, and contractors don't
give away their time.
So, what do you
do? You provide the contractor with input about how your store
should look, feel, react, communicate with others and then your
store gets built the way you want it. It says what you want it to
say. It's comfortable, easily navigational to your customers,
provides your customers with the services or products you offer, and
it looks good. You're happy.
Now a little
substitution for this analogy: Replace "contractor" with "Web design
Developer", replace "store" with "web site", replace "design
elements", "colors", "textures and furnishings", "info" and "input"
with "content". Now read the analogy again.
That is the
function of a website design developer . The more input you provide,
the more effective your website design designer is able to meet your
hopes and dreams for your site. You provide the building blocks the
designer uses.
May we also
comment that a web design designer wears other hats which are not
common to contractors of buildings. Web design company designers
also act as a business consultant (advising their clients of how
they can best profit from the endless possibilities of the Internet
in relationship to their business' web site), interior decorator
(graphic design and color coordination of the client's web site),
real estate agent (finding the best quality web host for the best
price and pursing registration procedures), and advertising agency
(advising clients of promotional techniques and offering services
such as search engine registration). All of these job functions make
a quality web developer's services quite valuable. We do not know of
many building contractors that wear these many hats, but as as web
developers, we do! We can help you establish the ultimate web
presence of your dreams. |
