94% of people will not trust a website if it has a bad design. It is no wonder that web designers are some of the most sought after professionals today.
However, not everyone who wears the tag that reads “web designer” will get a standing ovation.
To be able to impress your customers, you must be really good at the trade. Unfortunately, you can only learn so much in school. Here are some tips on how to up your web design game.
1. Be a Great Communicator
Techies are not known for excellent communication skills. But the days of sitting behind closed doors and poring over a computer screen for hours on end are no more. Today, professionals such as web designers must be able to communicate well with clients in order to deliver high-quality work.
Being able to communicate articulately will allow you to fully understand their needs and their vision and will reduce dissatisfaction or the need for numerous revisions.
The good thing is that you do not need a lifetime to master communication skills. All it takes is a willingness to learn and practice.
2. Let Mistakes Be a Learning Opportunity
Even the best designers were not always that good. For most people, it is a steep learning curve, and sometimes it is an arduous journey. When you are starting out, you are likely to make mistakes due to the inadequacy of your skills or a lack of work experience.
Unfortunately, some mistakes can cost you a client or can lead to negative feedback. However, it is important to look beyond your bruised ego and understand the lesson. The idea is to turn such situations into learning opportunities.
3. Take up Some Courses
A degree in computer science or IT will give you a solid background in web design and will provide a launchpad for your career. Unfortunately, this is not enough to guarantee success in the industry.
There’s probably no field that is as dynamic as tech. While a web designer should not just rely on trends, having a grasp of new trends is necessary to keep you in the game. This is something that may necessitate sharpening your skills or learning new ones.
The good thing is that you do not have to quit your job and go back to school. Today, there are many web design courses that you can undertake from the comfort of your home or office.
4. Collaboration Is Not out of Fashion
The importance of networking with like minded people cannot be overemphasized. Whether it is from your fellow designers or other people in the industry, such as programmers or graphic designers, you can learn a lot.
The insights of seasoned professionals can help you hone your skills and can prevent you from making common mistakes that newbies make.
In the same breath, also connect with family and friends and look for opportunities to discuss projects with them. Their opinions can help you see things in a different light or can motivate you.
5. Join Competitions
If you really want to improve your skills, do not shy away from going head to head with other people. The pressure to do well can bring out your creativity and can give you the confidence to explore techniques you have never tried out.
That’s not all. You will have an opportunity to learn from other designers and get inspired by the designs of the winners even if you don’t win.
6. Be Inspired by Nature
Grab your stuff and head off to an exotic island. Seriously you need to ditch your computer once in a while and connect with nature. And you do not have to fly off to the Bahamas. Something as simple as a hike or a trek through a forest can expand your imagination.
Do not forget to capture panoramic shots of the wild. The beautiful colors of nature could be all the inspiration you need.
It Takes Some Work
Becoming a really competent web designer is something that takes effort and commitment. And a good dose of consistency. Always be on the lookout for learning opportunities and practice as much as you can. This is a career that you will fall in love over and over again.
