A Web Designer is a professional who specializes in creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites. They combine their artistic and technical skills to design and develop websites that meet their clients' needs and enhance the user experience. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Web Designers.

Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.

Main Responsibilities of a Web Designer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Web Designer:

Adapt

Adapt existing illustrations.

Adhere to

Adhere to and help develop style standards with design treatments, fonts, colors and images.

Align

Align design work with existing Arts web design standards and UBC brand guidelines.

Analyze

Analyze and plan the framework of design according to the established specifications of the project.

Apply

• Apply a consistent design standard across multiple projects.

• Apply design principles and user-centered design methodologies to create great design experiences.

Assist in

• Assist Creative Director on video projects.

• Assist in managing multiple websites.

• Assist in managing our eCommerce stores.

• Assist sales team on RFP creation and sales presentations.

• Assist with production of web and UX design as required.

Attend

Attend client launch and status meetings to keep projects on task.

Audit

Audit and maintain business listings and location directories across the web.

Balance

Balance multiple projects simultaneously.

Build

Build storyboards to conceptualize designs and convey project plans to management.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate well with project managers, clients and team members.

• Collaborate with and present web design concepts to cross-functional teams using words and visuals.

• Collaborate with a web developer to create structure and HTML content for the site.

• Collaborate with clients to understand their requirements and goals.

• Collaborate with content creators to ensure visual consistency across the website.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers and marketers.

• Collaborate with KTN Events Managers to develop, organise and effectively deliver events.

• Collaborate with other UX designers, front and backend teams, product owners, project managers.

• Collaborate with web developers to integrate design elements into websites.

Communicate

• Communicate clearly and effectively with all members of our team.

• Communicate effectively with clients, team members, and stakeholders.

Complete

Complete 100% of all design-related tasks on time.

Conceive

Conceive, design, lay out, and coordinate editorial illustrations and creative artwork.

Conduct

• Conduct and participate in design reviews and code reviews.

• Conduct competitor analysis and market research.

• Conduct quality assurance checks to ensure website functionality.

• Conduct research and gather relevant information for website design.

• Conduct user testing and gather feedback to improve website designs.

Consider

• Consider and implement SEO best practices through design.

• Consider cost-efficiency when selecting alternative colors, sizes, etc. to present.

Convert

Convert photoshop / AI creative work into responsive HTML using frameworks such as bootstrap.

Coordinate

Coordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials.

Create

• Create a highly customized theme from scratch with the design team.

• Create and maintain design documentation and style guides.

• Create and maintain proper and accurate documentation.

• Create digital dashboard to measure brand metrics and relevant success metrics for each domain.

• Create eCommerce web designs following a creative session.

• Create graphic design elements and templates for various social media channels.

• Create graphics elements for tube sites.

• Create informed user personas and scenarios.

• Create / update software / website documentation.

• Create visually appealing website layouts.

Design

• Design and develop UI / UX concepts across multiple brands for company owned and partner websites.

• Design and develop website mockups and prototypes.

• Design and maintain a parametric design library for all Sourcemap web assets.

• Design and maintain Google Drive-based marketing and sales collateral (decks and documents).

• Design and maintain Public-facing and Enterprise-facing web content.

• Design and maintain Squarespace-based sales webpage.

• Design creative website & mobile app layouts and mockups.

• Design graphics and page layouts for ongoing site and content updates.

• Design images, icons, and banners to be utilized on DAIIS sites.

• Design style tiles, style guides, and layout wireframes based on planning and client feedback.

• Design the occasional sales collateral such as, but not limited to, brochures, flyers, and eBooks.

• Design user-friendly, engaging, community-focused & accessible websites.

Develop

• Develop and create eye catching websites that stand above the rest.

• Develop and maintain relationships with clients.

• Develop creative and unique content for SharePoint and websites.

• Develop photo and video tagging and watermark standards for the entire team.

• Develop responsive designs to ensure compatibility across devices.

• Develop strong problem-solving skills to address design challenges.

• Develop Website architecture and determine hardware and software requirements.

• Develop Web sites by planning and executing design.

Document

Document processes and task tracking, with great attention to detail.

Embrace

Embrace and participate in PPI initiatives to identify improvements and cost savings to the business.

Engage

Engage with various stakeholders to gather requirements, user stories, and specifications.

Enhance

Enhance advanced template-based landing pages and microsites.

Ensure

• Ensure a high-level of quality and attention to detail in all work produced.

• Ensure all accessibility best practices are followed.

• Ensure all designs follow accessibility and inclusivity standards defined by WCAG, ADA, and MAS.

• Ensure all digital assets reflect conversion rate optimization and best practices.

• Ensure compatibility of web applications across all screen sizes and device specifications.

• Ensure quality and timeliness of creative tech deliverables.

• Ensure seamless website integration with online giving tools.

• Ensure that the website is always optimized for various devices.

• Ensure the accessibility and usability of websites for all users.

• Ensure website compatibility with customer-specified browsers and platforms.

Establish

Establish locatability by registering customer sites with search engines.

Evaluate

Evaluate and strategize user requirements in collaboration with lead designer.

Execute

• Execute all visual design stages from concept to final hand-off to engineering.

• Execute all visual design stages from concept to implementation.

Extend

Extend learnings to product development.

Follow

Follow work process documents and work autonomously within them.

Gather

Gather the client's feedback and precise the project scope.

Handle

Handle difficult customers and make sure that each customer has a good experience.

Identify

Identify scope of work and provide time estimates.

Implement

• Implement branding guidelines into website designs.

• Implement designs and build websites that wow.

Improve

Improve star ratings and search result rankings.

Incorporate

Incorporate SEO principles into website designs for better search engine rankings.

Keep

Keep the Digital Design team informed of leading-edge design technologies.

Liaise with

Liaise with marketing team members to ensure project timelines and client expectations are being met.

Maintain

• Maintain the appearance of the website by enforcing content standards.

• Maintain the appearance of websites by enforcing content standards.

Make

Make sure all front end screens are pixel perfect and deep understanding of Bootstrap.

Manage

• Manage and prioritize multiple design projects simultaneously.

• Manage social media engagement and advertising.

Meet

• Meet deadlines, end-user goals and marketing objectives on all projects.

• Meet with client to discuss requirements and / or project progress.

Monitor

• Monitor and analyze website metrics to identify areas for improvement.

• Monitor and optimize site load times and other performance metrics.

Offer

Offer recommendations on ways to improve concepts / solutions.

Optimize

Optimize website performance and loading speed.

Own

Own the creation and evolution (front and back end) of our company website.

Participate in

• Participate in brainstorms and creative strategy meetings.

• Participate in code review and performing extensive testing to ensure high quality software.

• Participate in pre-production meetings to advise on graphics and graphic capabilities.

• Participate in quality assurance reviews.

Perform

• Perform audits specific to clients' needs that address problem areas and offer impactful solutions.

• Perform HTML / ASPX website modifications to include link and graphic updates.

• Perform quality assurance testing throughout the design and pre-production stages.

Prepare

• Prepare rough drafts and present ideas.

• Prepare rough drafts and present your ideas.

Present

• Present and defend designs to stakeholders and incorporate their feedback.

• Present confidently and professionally to internal teams, including executives.

Produce

• Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations.

• Produce design assets for use in social media and marketing channels.

• Produce proofs for approval (ensuring copy, design, and brand accuracy).

Provide

• Provide data to the Sr. Marketing Manager as related to tracking the donor journey.

• Provide design, development, and user experience direction for the branch's digital products.

• Provide occasional online sessions via Join.me,ZOOM online tootls.

• Provide ongoing technical support and design advice.

• Provide ongoing website maintenance and updates.

• Provide UX and workflow recommendations on all projects.

Put

Put in place clear and simple processes for upgrading and maintaining all content.

Recommend

• Recommend front-end architecture, approaches, frameworks and patterns to meet project goals.

• Recommend solutions for design problems.

Remain

Remain current with all new design tools and techniques.

Research

• Research and Product Development.

• Research and recommend trending digital design, layouts and interfaces to enhance user experience.

• Research current design trends and implement it into current practice.

• Research current trends for web and print, more specifically layout and weight.

• Research products, services, trends, and current strategies to identify new opportunities.

Respond to

Respond to content changes and problems quickly when they arise.

Review

Review, audit, analyse all SEO / SEM metrics and make improvements.

Revise

Revise the work of previous designers to create a unified aesthetic for our brand materials.

Run

Run database search / replace scripts.

Seek

Seek feedback on designs from team and clients, and iterate designs based on feedback.

Select

• Select and uses digital photos appropriately.

• Select appropriate color schemes, fonts, and graphics for websites.

Source

Source control using GIT and BitBucket.

Stay current on

• Stay current on design trends and social media formats and specifications.

• Stay updated with industry trends and advancements.

• Stay updated with the latest design trends and technologies.

Streamline

Streamline and implement logical menu flow and function of interfaces.

Submit

Submit plans and designs for approval.

Support

• Support and exhibit departmental core values.

• Support our PHP programmers in the implementation and maintenance of back-end systems.

• Support UX strategy and innovation.

Take

• Take an active role in creating an environment of collaboration, accountability and trust.

• Take initiative to work with others and seek for resources needed for designated projects.

Test

Test and debug websites to ensure functionality and usability.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and resolve design-related issues.

Understand

• Understand how to code, and make back end changes to the website.

• Understand the strengths and limitations of current and emerging platforms.

Update

• Update core platforms as relevant and consistent with recommendations from manufacturer.

• Update WordPress and other maintenance tasks.

Use

• Use analytics to test layout success.

• Use and maintain a task board.

• Use best practices in UI / UX to create impactful, engaging client storefronts.

• Use HTML, CSS, and other web technologies to implement website designs.

• Use meticulous attention to detail as it applies to the application of the NVIDIA brand guidelines.

• Use printing or graphic knowledge and skills to make proposals according to customers' requirements.

Utilize

Utilize our Custom WordPress-based Framework with Elementor to layout UX-driven visual experiences.

Work with

• Work closely with IT for updates, testing and to resolve issues in a timely manner.

• Work closely with other marketing team members to incorporate marketing strategies.

• Work closely with our Head of Creative to ensure our designs are the best they can be.

• Work closely with web developers to deploy design.

• Work directly with Product Owner to gather requirements and review designs.

• Work effectively and efficiently with other departments and team members.

• Work in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Work in collaboration with colleagues across different departments.

• Work with a wide range of media and use graphic design and illustration software.

• Work within project timelines and meet deadlines.

• Work with team members to coordinate web projects and follow-up on work to ensure deadlines are met.

• Work with the growth team to build out technology first experiments.

• Work with the marketing team to conceptualize creative ideas for the website.

• Work with UX / UI designer to execute on the design plan.

Write

Write maintainable, testable, and performant software in creating the entire platform, end-to-end.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Web Designer:

1. Proficiency in HTML and CSS.

2. Knowledge of JavaScript and jQuery.

3. Experience with responsive design frameworks like Bootstrap.

4. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).

5. Understanding of user experience (UX) principles.

6. Ability to work with content management systems (WordPress, Drupal, etc.).

7. Knowledge of web accessibility standards (WCAG, ADA compliance, etc.).

8. Understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) principles.

9. Proficiency in front-end frameworks (Angular, React, etc.).

10. Experience with version control systems (Git, SVN, etc.).

11. Familiarity with UI/UX prototyping tools (Sketch, Adobe XD, etc.).

12. Knowledge of cross-browser compatibility and testing.

13. Understanding of website performance optimization techniques.

14. Proficiency in graphic design and image editing software.

15. Ability to work with APIs and integrate third-party services.

16. Familiarity with e-commerce platforms and payment gateways.

17. Knowledge of web analytics tools (Google Analytics, etc.).

18. Understanding of responsive typography and iconography.

19. Experience with video and multimedia integration.

20. Proficiency in mobile app design and development.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Web Designer:

1. Creativity and a strong sense of aesthetics.

2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

3. Attention to detail and a keen eye for visual elements.

4. Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

5. Ability to work independently and in a team.

6. Time management and organizational skills.

7. Flexibility and adaptability to changing project requirements.

8. Client management and customer service skills.

9. Collaboration and teamwork capabilities.

10. Continuous learning and self-motivation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, being a Web Designer involves a diverse range of responsibilities and requires a combination of technical and soft skills. By mastering the necessary hard skills and cultivating the essential soft skills, Web Designers can create engaging and user-friendly websites that leave a lasting impression on visitors.