Web Design Experience

• In the past, web designers relied on experience to become gainfully employed. Self-taught web designers used desktop publishing tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Dreamweaver to become proficient in the ability to format text, data, graphs, photographs, charts and video--essentially any type of media--into eye-catching online presentations. All of these are trademark skills of graphic designers (and web designers), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  
  As you hone your graphic design and desktop publishing skills, showcase your skills in a portfolio online or in book format. If you want to be a web designer and do not have any formal education, use a portfolio--based on volunteer and personal projects--as a gateway to find employment.
  
  

Web Design Formal Education

• There are no specific formal education requirements for web designers in today's market although any kind of formal education helps employment prospects. According to RightPointWeb.Com, associate and bachelor's degree programs for web design are becoming more common. Other useful degrees for web designers include graphic arts, graphic communication and graphic design. A bachelor's degree in computer science may boost your career as a web designer if you want to branch into web development, which requires coding and programming skills.
  WebDesignerSalaryData.Com states training in communication is necessary because web designers are required to discuss visual web ideals and functions with clients.
  
  If formal college training is not available, the BLS suggests that aspiring web designers and desktop publishers take classes online or through local training centers which teach about the latest programs available.