10 Reasons you should become a Web Designer.
You've dabbled with Photoshop, and toyed with Dreamweaver, but you're not totally sure if you've got what it takes, or even if you'll like the lifestyle of being a web designer? This article outlines my top 10 reasons why someone who is artistic, and loves computers should try their hand at becoming a web professional. If you're already a web designer, then this article might help you remember the positive aspects of the job.
1. You always have something to show for your hard work.
My number one reason that anyone should become a web designer is that at the end of each project, you get something that you can show for all your hard work. If it came out worse than you expected you can learn from it. If it came out superbly you can sit back and revel in it. But only for a second as its onto the next project! Seriously though, the best part of the job for me is seeing everything come together to create a fantastic looking, fully functioning website.
2. You get warm & fuzzy when your sites gone live.
Very few things beat the feeling of sitting back in your chair and admiring a completed website that you've taken from an initial idea on a piece of paper, to a fully functional website. You can sit back, relax and enjoy your rollovers feeling like you've really got something to show for your efforts. If you get this feeling then you're among almost every single web designer who has a passion for the job.
3. Its a technical job. People respect that.
It doesn't happen all that often, but when a client really shows they value you as their designer, that they take on board your suggestions, and appreciate what you've done for them. it personally makes me feel really great. As the majority of people don't understand our profession you get to influence a lot of people and make decisions. As long as you can clearly explain in layman's terms your reasoning most people will trust your advice.
4. You get to be creative for a living.
When you think about it most people have to do pretty boring jobs for a living. They deal with figures, they write letters or important documents. I always try to remember this if Ive had a particularly bad day at the office. You're lucky to be able to create for 8 hours a day.
5. The job is rarely dull.
If you like computers, then being a website designer isn't a dull job. It might seem that way to people who hate computing, but a lot of the problems you will come to face each day are new, and can be very challenging. As Ive mentioned before about the industry being young, its moving rapidly, meaning that you'll have to keep you finger on the pulse to keep your skill set current. Although most of the job is office based, you do get to go out and meet some interesting people too.
6. You don't need a degree.
Now easy guys, Im aware this one could sturr up some serious debate! Compared with professions such as medicine, law and other industries along those lines, as a website designer you don't need to have a degree to get a job. With this comes the huge benefit of not incurring about £15,000 of debt from a three year university course. Im not saying you shouldn't get a degree, just that you don't necessarily need to have one to get a good job. As being a design is a creative job, having a strong portfolio will go a really long way.
7. You don't have to wear a suit.
Most days you don't have to wear a suit to work. Yay! If you've got a meeting with a really important client then you might want to dress to impress, but most of the time you can wear anything thats smart / casual.
8. You can talk about CSS with fellow web designers.
Its awesome when you can have a full on geeky chat with a fellow website designer without the person not actually having any idea what you're talking about. Sometimes you just need to vend your frustration about how Internet Explorer just isn't standards compliant.
9. Its more interesting than saying ‘Im an accountant'.
When someone asks you what you do for a living and you reply with ‘Im a designer' or website designer its much easier for them to ask you questions about your job than for example if you were an accountant. Nothing against accountants, but whenever someone replies with ‘Im an accountant', the best I can muster is usually, ‘Oh right, how long have you been doing that for?'.
10. Its one of those ‘new age' cool jobs…
Its 2007, get with the programme! Everything's moving over to computers and the internet. Web Design is a very new industry which is still growing and establishing itself so the chances are you're going to have a job for life. Theres definitely no immediate danger of the web dying out.
A closing thought…
Web designing for a living is a great job, I recommend it to anyone who loves to create and build things. If you're a fellow designer and have some other suggestions then feel free to add them in the comments below.
