The Internet era has ushered in a whole segment of creative jobs that simply did not exist twenty years ago.  One such career is that of a web designer.  Careers in web design involve the creation of web pages, the content of which is intended to sell, inform or entertain.

Many web designers work in salaried, in-house positions in multi-media, advertising, marketing or other types of companies.  Web designers enjoy being able to work in a creative, fun environment in the company of other web professionals.

Many more web designers work as freelancers.  Freelance web designers enjoy the freedom of being able to work out of their home office as well as largely being able to set their own hours.  However even freelance web designers may have to report to the office at times, either for a meeting or to work with an in-house web team.

Careers in web design are well suited for anyone with good tech skills and a firm grasp of both design and marketing principles.  While web design can be creative and fun it can also be very high pressure.  Web designers are responsible for bringing projects in on time and on budget.

Web design can also be a competitive field.  However, there are many good opportunities available.  Not only that but web design is fairly lucrative.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job and income prospects for web designers are both above average.

Many aspiring web designers attain a 4-year degree or attend a technical trade school.  Many are graduates of prestigious art and design schools.  Due to the high number of bright, talented people attracted to web design careers; students would do well to participate in an internship program of one sort or another.

Mentoring programs are a kind of internship that can be particularly helpful.  In mentoring programs students gain the opportunity to learn web design first hand in a real, working web environment, under the guidance of actual professional web designer.

Equally important to the valuable hands on experience students gain in such programs, is the chance to make contacts and connections necessary to getting a foot in the door of the web design business.

Unlike other media-centric jobs, web design has become a fairly decentralized profession.  In the 21^st Century, any business that wants to remain competitive needs a website.  Because of this it’s possible for a good web designer to find work practically anywhere.

If you have artistic talent, technical and marketing savvy, as well as a drive to succeed than a career in web design might be for you.

Related posts:

1. Life as a Web Designer
2. Careers in Graphic Design
3. Careers in Animation
4. Careers in Advertising
5. Graphic Design School