A web designer designs websites and applications that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate for users. They are in charge of the website’s front-end—which the users see and experience—and create the site’s layout, structure, branding, and [graphic design](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design) elements. Web designers need to understand visual design principles, such as [color theory](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-in-art-explained) and [typography](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide), to create successful designs. Web designers can work on a per-project basis, for an agency specializing in web design, or as an in-house designer for a company.
Web design requires [technical skills](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/technical-skills-guide) and knowledge of software, including:

1. __UX Design__: [User experience design](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ux-design-guide) is one of the foundational principles of web design theory. Web designers must know how people consume and process information to create the best user experience. Successful web designers create website designs with good usability, a pleasing user interface, and responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes. UX design also requires web designers to create sitemaps and wireframes to see all the paths a user can take on the website.
2. __SEO__: Web designers should understand SEO ([search engine optimization](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/seo-strategy-guide)) and incorporate concepts like keywords and SEO-friendly URLs when designing websites to make it easy for search engines like Google to find the site.
3. __Programming languages__: Most web designers know one or two programming languages that enable them to build websites from scratch. Experienced web developers typically know HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), the basic languages for building all websites. HTML is the structure and content of a page, while CSS is the design (such as color and font). PHP, Python, Javascript, and Flash are also programming languages for interactive websites.
4. __Design software__: Dreamweaver allows web programmers to design websites and edit code. Web designers use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create website mockups and compress images for web viewing.

Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director","linkCopy":"art director","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>art director</a> of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more.
Learn how to become a web designer to create aesthetically pleasing websites and apps.

Learn how to become a web designer to create aesthetically pleasing websites and apps.

How to Become a Web Designer: 5 Essential Web Design Skills

A web designer designs websites and applications that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate for users. They are in charge of the website’s front-end—which the users see and experience—and create the site’s layout, structure, branding, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design","linkCopy":"graphic design","category":null}'>graphic design</a> elements. Web designers need to understand visual design principles, such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-in-art-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-in-art-explained","linkCopy":"color theory","category":null}'>color theory</a> and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide","linkCopy":"typography","category":null}'>typography</a>, to create successful designs. Web designers can work on a per-project basis, for an agency specializing in web design, or as an in-house designer for a company.

What Is a Web Designer?

Web design requires <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/technical-skills-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/technical-skills-guide","linkCopy":"technical skills","category":null}'>technical skills</a> and knowledge of software, including:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. UX Design: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ux-design-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ux-design-guide","linkCopy":"User experience design","category":null}'>User experience design</a> is one of the foundational principles of web design theory. Web designers must know how people consume and process information to create the best user experience. Successful web designers create website designs with good usability, a pleasing user interface, and responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes. UX design also requires web designers to create sitemaps and wireframes to see all the paths a user can take on the website. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. SEO: Web designers should understand SEO (<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/seo-strategy-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/seo-strategy-guide","linkCopy":"search engine optimization","category":null}'>search engine optimization</a>) and incorporate concepts like keywords and SEO-friendly URLs when designing websites to make it easy for search engines like Google to find the site. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Programming languages: Most web designers know one or two programming languages that enable them to build websites from scratch. Experienced web developers typically know HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), the basic languages for building all websites. HTML is the structure and content of a page, while CSS is the design (such as color and font). PHP, Python, Javascript, and Flash are also programming languages for interactive websites. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Design software: Dreamweaver allows web programmers to design websites and edit code. Web designers use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create website mockups and compress images for web viewing. </li></ol>

4 Essential Technical Skills for a Web Designer 

Get a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director","linkCopy":"art director","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>art director</a> of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more.

Want to Learn More About Tapping Into Your Graphic Design Genius?

Learn how to become a web designer to create aesthetically pleasing websites and apps.

Learn how to become a web designer to create aesthetically pleasing websites and apps.
