Design Your Future at an Online Web Design School
Have you ever wondered what it takes to make the Web pages you use every day? From social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace to news sites like CNN, every lucrative Web site has a team of designers working behind the scenes. With training from an online Web design school, you could join their ranks.
Whether you aspire to design for small businesses or massive Fortune 500 companies, a Web design degree or certificate offers practical skill training you can use every day at work.
Typical Web Design Skills and Coursework
An online Web design certificate program gives you the technical skills you need to build your portfolio. Typical coursework in a Web design degree program would likely include the following subjects:
- Design fundamentals
- Programming
- Interface design
- Portfolio presentation
- Webmastering
Healthy Web Designer Salaries Reported
As a Web designer, you may find work in graphic design or desktop publishing fields. Designers may freelance, work in a salaried position for a design firm, or they may do in-house design for an established business. Desktop publishers earned mean annual wages of $38,740 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS recommends that aspiring desktop publishers hold some formal training in Web design or related courses.
The BLS notes that graphic designers earned mean annual wages of $46,750 in 2008. For all but the most technical graphic design jobs, a bachelor's degree is generally preferred. If you already have some graphic design training or experience, an online Web design certificate can enhance your skills.
Strong Career Futures for Designers
Careers for graphic designers, including Web designers, are expected to see positive growth in the coming years. Between 2006 and 2016, the BLS predicts that 26,000 new jobs for graphic designers will enter the industry. This ten percent growth accounts for older designers retiring and careers demanding increasingly sophisticated Web design knowledge.
Even with the projected growth, competition for designers is expected to be keen. The BLS notes that those with Web design experience will have the best opportunities in the job market. For students in Web design schools, education helps improve the odds of finding work faster.
Benefits of Online Web Design School
Attending school online means working at your own pace on the educational program you choose. Many working adults choose to keep a full-time job while completing their education. If you're looking for an educational option that doesn't require classroom time and travel commitments, the online degree model may suit your needs.
While no degree or certificate can guarantee clients or a strong portfolio, the training you complete in a Web design school helps add to your technical knowledge of software and design techniques. When a prospective employer looks for a particular skill-set, you want to be ready to perform; a degree or certificate helps broaden your skills.
