How to Start a Career in Web Design by Ron Bohn
Starting a career as a web designer can be a struggle without proper guidance. Sure you have to establish a portfolio, but where do you start? Ten years ago I was in school and spent so much time researching the web design industry and trying to figure out how to get started as a web designer. Before I ever started the web development firms Bohn Studios web design and Kansascitywebdesign.biz, I needed answers to questions like: What programs should I use? What should I do first to get my career started? What kind of money can I make as a web designer? What should I do to get going as a freelancer?
I really wish that I had better direction back when I started my career as a web designer because most of what I was being taught in school had little to nothing to do with how make a living as a professional web designer. The following list is what I learned over the past 10 years, starting as a student all the way to establishing several successful web design companies. Hopefully this information will help you avoid some of the countless hours I spend figuring these things out the hard way.
1) Get the right tools and learn them
The basic tools you need include:
Dreamweaver CS3 or later
Fireworks CS3 or later
Flash CS3 or later
2) Create a website for your services using your new web design tools
It's not a good idea to do your first project for somebody else. You wouldn't jump into a deep and fast moving river if you don't know how to swim would you? Start by making a simple website that has a few pages such as a bio page, a resume page, and a contact page.
3) Do a few projects for little or no money to gain experience and start a portfolio
The best way to get into an industry is to start doing it. This will not only give you chance to learn new skills. but also provides you with a design portfolio that will be your primary means of selling yourself throughout your career.
4) Get Adobe Certified
Regardless of your experience, it really helps to know how to use your programs. It is also good to have these certifications to show potential clients or employers that you actually know what you are doing.
5) Continue to build your portfolio
Always keep this going! There are a lot of web designers out there. If you don't continually build a solid portfolio, you will have a difficult competing against other web designers for work...particularly anything that involves design.
6) Decide whether you want to continue freelancing or get a regular job
This is a difficult cross roads for some people. Either choose to get a job at an established company or go out on your own and enjoy the freedoms of freelancing. They both have their pros and cons. You simply have to level with yourself and figure out if you can support yourself independant from a day job. Many people choose to work for another company and freelance on the side until they build up a good client base. This is usually a good idea if you are in your first couple years in web design, but beware! If you have intentions of freelancing, it is important to remember that the skills and methods that you develop while working for another company will only be as good as that company itself. Some web design companies are in very fertile markets where competition is not as good.
If you freelance...
Make sure your design portfolio is rock-solid and be certain that you have what it takes to sell. Many people have a hard time with this, particularly at first. Also, hire a lawyer and an accountant. Don't make the mistake of trying to do everything yourself. Many small business owners make the mistake of trying to do everything themselves instead of focusing on what actually makes them money. It might seem like an investment at first, but if you are not able to get the legal and financial aspect of your independant business venture in line, you probably are not actually ready to freelance or start your own web design firm.
If you get a a day job...
Get a degree and/or certifications. You will likely be discriminated right off the bat from many jobs if you do not do this. There will still be other jobs that you might be able to find, but if you want to ensure security and benefits, be prepared to get your academic ducks in a row.
A good St. Louis website and graphic design firm is where I would start a career as a designer. There is a really good market and demand for web designers in Missouri and you can enjoy all four seasons the city has to offer! There are also many other web design companies there, so as long as you have the skills, you probably won't have a hard time finding a job.
Ron Bohn work in web design and internet marketing for Kansas City Web Design, and Bohn Studios Web Design St Louis.