Web designers
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Web designers develop the visuals, layout and functionality of websites. Their role is to ensure that websites are easy to use and that the information is easy to access.
Web designers usually work in one of two general fields. User interface (UI) designers focus on a website’s look and feel. User experience (UX) designers focus on the overall experience of using a website.
Job Titles
Duties
Web designers:
- Work with clients to understand their goals and the users’ needs
- Consider how people will use the website, including through mobile devices
- Design, test and maintain the flow, layout and look of the website
- Organize the content to determine how visitors will move around the site
- Set design standards to create easy-to-use and attractive websites
- Ensure that the content is readable on all devices and browsers
- Design visuals that are consistent with the organization’s overall look
- Prepare site maps, wireframes, design mock-ups, mood boards and storyboards to gain approvals for designs
- Create or buy content, including photos, graphics, fonts and videos
- Use a variety of software, including graphics and animation programs
- Ensure that the designs meet web accessibility standards for people using assistive technologies like screen readers
Web designers may work with teams of graphic and communication designers, writers, developers and programmers.
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
2,265% Employed Full Time
48%Web designers work in computer software development firms, information technology (IT) consulting companies and advertising agencies. They also work in the IT and marketing and communications departments of large organizations. They work in the private and public sectors. Some are self-employed.
Web designers typically work in an office. Some work remotely or from home.
They often work a typical workweek. Some enjoy flexible hours. To meet project deadlines, they may work longer hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
Web design means long periods using a keyboard and monitor. Workers risk eye strain and backaches, as well as hand and wrist problems ranging from simple strains to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Career Pathways
Recent graduates often find jobs in user interface (UI) or user experience (UX) design, design production, animation, game design and basic web programming.
Web designers with more experience or education may move into leadership roles as team leads, art directors, creative directors, producers, project managers or IT managers. Some may start their own business.
Advancement is most likely for web designers who are open to learning new things, those who work well in teams and on their own, and those with good communication skills.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Most web designers have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or graphic design, or have completed a college program in computer science, graphic arts or web design.
Employers may need graphic design experience. Many web designers have hands-on experience in visual arts, communications, marketing or digital media. Project management skills are an advantage, as is experience as a computer programmer.
Ongoing education is key to this role because of continuous changes in technology. Web designers must continue to learn new skills to stay current.
During the hiring process, employers usually like to see a digital portfolio, a visual resume that showcases the designer’s work.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Design (General)
- Integrated/Multimedia
- Web Technologies
- Networking and Security
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.
Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
2,265Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 20 | 0.9% |
| Kootenay | 40 | 1.8% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,690 | 74.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 15 | 0.7% |
| Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 135 | 6.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 355 | 15.7% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
1,620Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
| Kootenay | 30 | 1.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,260 | 3.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 130 | 3.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 190 | 2.4% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,440 |
| Retail Trade | 60 |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 20 |
| Educational Services | 20 |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 20 |
Insights from Industry
More than ever, websites play a central role in organizations’ communication with customers, clients, suppliers and potential employees. As a result, opportunities for web designers continue to increase.
In general, there are enough new graduates to do basic web design. But demand is high for workers with the technical knowledge to work on large, complex systems. Demand is also strong for workers skilled in information architecture (IA)–organizing websites so that users can quickly and easily find information.
Bigger cities, like Vancouver and Victoria, offer more opportunities for full-time jobs and the chance to work on larger and more complicated projects.
Resources
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Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD)www.rgd.ca
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BC Tech Associationwww.wearebctech.com
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Canada's Association of I.T. Professionalswww.cips.ca
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Canada's Association of Information Technology (IT) Professionals - British Columbiawww.bc.cips.ca
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The Canadian Advanced Technology Allianceinnovationsoftheworld.com/canadian-advanced-technology
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Creative Technology Association of British Columbia (DigiBC)www.digibc.org
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Design Professionals of Canada (DesCan)descan.ca/the-society
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Design Professionals of Canada (DesCan) – Job Boarddescan.ca/job-board
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Engineering Technology Canadawww.engineeringtechnologycanada.ca/en/CTINlanding
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First Nations Technology Councilwww.technologycouncil.ca
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Information and Communications Technology Councilwww.ictc-ctic.ca
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Information Resource Management Association of Canadawww.irmac.ca
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Information Systems Audit and Control Associationwww.isaca.org
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Technation.ca formerly the Information Technology Association of Canadaitac.ca
