10 Things Every Newbie Web Designer Should Know
So, you just started your work journey as a newbie web designer?
Web designers encounter to build visual experience on the web. There are lots of features of developing a website design. So, it may be difficult for a newbie web designer to get familiar with all those aspects. To start web designer career is not that easy. Both newbie web designer and experienced Website designer should play different roles and be skilful to build effective and usable website layout.
The most significant web design lessons come from work experience. Here, learning is the key process and learning from mistakes makes you proficient.
Every profession has its own ups and downs, also the rules that everyone denies with. Also, there are lots of things you must know about web design career if you are seriously planning for it. You can discover the list of things you wish to know as a website designer that takes your job smoothly.
To make your path easy, here are 10 things every newbie web designer should know:
1. Clients are hard to deal with
Not every client, but most of them will keep you in stress and you may feel unhappy to hear from them again instantly. They give you money and let you turn their goal in life. Mostly you should tackle the situation and should work on the project you are not completely happy with.
In addition, not signing a proper contract may give you headaches as clients try to may you work more without any charge. So, you should get a good contract signed by both you and your clients before starting the work. Do not ignore this part.
2. Optimize Web Graphics for better page load times
Learn to optimise your website graphics by picking an appropriate format and make it small as possible. With the advancement of the mobile device technologies that may not have the speed as broadband, slow load websites will annoy the users. So, choose the proper file format with the images that have incredible colours are saved as GIF and PNG whereas, the image with enduring colours as photographs are saved as JPEG.
Also, you can find lots of tools that help you optimise your images and reduce the file size. With a limited number of images use the images smartly, decreasing the file size, then you can expressively cut down the response time of the website and progress your overall website performance.
3. Get out there and make a name for yourself
It may sound awful if web designer goes to interview with no portfolio. Looking at the empty portfolio nobody wants to work with you. Do not think about getting hired and making portfolio as nobody may be hired. Remember, you are competing with people with strong skills by working many hours for clients and have a portfolio full of good projects and reliable testimonials.
Yes, working for free may be hard, but if give you something worthy that is an experience. After an adequate experience and fill up your portfolio with bigger projects, you can apply for the job. So, it is totally your responsibility to make a name and brand for yourself and do not think about making good money until you work hard.
4. Keep it clean and simple
An ideal web design is not only about the appearance, it should be user-friendly too. A simple website design mostly ends up as a high-usability website design which does not confuse users to connect with.
To have lots of website features and elements on the web page, you may have a risk of diverting website visitors from their determination of exploring the website. Be sure all the page elements have a determination and let them go along the purpose. Work with creativity and make it simple as well as usable.
5. Clients may not be always right
Truly, you are not hired to be admired by your boss. You work to deliver a high-quality solution to the one looking for it. If the clients are unaware of website design, it may be difficult for you to give tips and advice. If you deliver a perfect tool for the client’s company that brings up profit and you are expected to get hired even if you didn’t focus on his tips.
Certainly, you are an expert web designer and decide on most of the website venture. Yes, hearing client’s ideas are not waste of time, but if you follow irreverent idea then you may be in trouble. Keep in mind, when you sign contract, you are responsible for the entire website. So, work smartly.
6. Focus on Navigation
Navigation is one of the most important website features which lets users explore the website comfortably. Easy navigation design is necessary for better website performance. Firstly, it is essential to make time to create a website navigation structure. Think about placement, layout, technologies, usability and website accessibility. These are the things you need to think about while building mind-blowing navigation design.
Indeed, your navigation design must have good usability without any client-side technology. It is essential to have a perfect navigation system situated in the visible place. Since the main purpose of website navigation is to let users receive their chosen content with some actions and effort.
7. Work with a clear target
Today finding a designer is not that difficult, everyone can do it. So, you should have a clear target about your job. Better mention your skills and the thing you can give to the company starting from SEO knowledge to social media integration and content management. Most business owners think site consists of these features so prior to starting any website project, discuss the type of the project along with the targets.
8. After done, leave it as it is
When you complete the product, deliver it and get money, just leave it. The project is not yours. Just take a screenshot, finalise and get next work. If clients desire to update it with a low-quality image, or indefinite logo or fonts, it’s his choice. Let him do whatever he likes. You should provide suggestion and assist him during the project. If he wants you after completion of the project you can do it for more income as well.
9. First time may not always work
Website design jobs are not that easy, it may come up with lots of problems. But, do not panic. Sometimes, the functions may not work and you need to face lots of errors. These problems may be simple and drive you crazy. So, do not work with the expectation that your website will be completed within an hour. Even simple codes may take lots of time. Get ready to tackle the problems and give remarkable output to the clients.
10. Learn to say “NO”
Most newbie web designer hesitates to say “No” as they may make their clients unhappy. But, you are not working to be liked by them. You work to demonstrate your skills. So, do not feel awkward to say “No” to those clients who hires you only because of your portfolio. This does not indicate you should avoid all the project but try to ignore the clients that may be troubling in the future.
The Final Point,
These are the essential things that every newbie web designer should be aware of. I hope this article becomes fruitful to make your work better. As a website designer, you need different skills and the capability to complete the project. So, focus on your target and work accordingly.