The Importance of Web Experience


In an ever-changing industry, why isn't web design / development top of the list for studying designers?

Sitting in our hot seats here at Orchard Towers it's incredible to see how fast the market has changed direction since the start of the recession, especially in the last 12 months. Web based roles now account for over 50% of the opportunities we get in and this rate is rising by the day. Basically it's a candidate lead market, and at present there is little an employer can do about it.

Many of our clients have been struggling to fill web based jobs, whether a requirement for capable Web Designer or a good Front End Developer, plus a whole host of other digital roles. Some have been publicly advertising for these elusive candidates for months and months, and it doesn't seem to matter whether you're a 'not so creative' in-house marketing department or a trendy digital agency with a full portfolio of sexy accounts.

So why might there be a lack of good candidates?



Education
You will be amazed to know that a number of reputable universities up and down the country still aren't including at least some web modules on their Graphic Design courses. How can this be? I realise that the key element of these courses is teaching people to be conceptual, thinking about the strategy and effectively solving briefs. I get all that, but to only channel these ideas into design for branding, brochure work and packaging etc is sacrilege. Surely web should be a vital component of any graphic designer's portfolio of work when graduating. It certainly becomes part of the key responsibilities in most graphic design jobs once you are out here in industry.

You may argue that a graphic designer should instead been looking at a web design course. A great idea if you have a bit more of a mathematical mind. However for the more technical modules you will most likely have to cover, this won't be for everyone with a purely 'creative mind.'

Therefore surely universities should include web modules within graphic design courses to keep up with the times (and demand).

Freelance
Web based candidates in the design and development areas have cottoned on to the fact that there is a shortage of trustworthy freelancers. As a result, there is a shortage of available candidates for the permanent job sector.

These candidates have been attracted to the freelance market from their secure permanent jobs, knowing they will generally earn more and have the luxury of when and when not to work. These freelance opportunities are generally long term bookings and through the nature of this work (which can be labour intensive), it's not always easy for an employer to catch an available freelancer in-between jobs.

Permanent
As with the freelancers, web based candidates, especially with commercial experience under their belt are commanding a lot higher salaries. This is due to the supply and demand heavily weighted in favour of the candidate. To some companies this just doesn't make financial sense, advertising their vacancies under the going salary rate and consequently not attracting the right level of candidate. There could be some debate here that over time the bubble may burst on these possibly inflated salaries, presuming the market eventually gets flooded with available candidates.

Summary
So if you are interested in entering the Graphic Design world at an education level or are already working commercially, getting as much web education and experience under your belt as possible will undoubtedly lead to a better career path and financial rewards. Don't get left behind!

On the software side you will need to have a good working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite, with preferable abilities in HTML5, CSS, with Wordpress, Javascript and Jquery advantageous. Finally the ability in think in a lateral interactive way, not just visually, will also enhance your prospects.

What are you waiting for, make sure you are on track!

Richard Bridgwater - @Orchardrich




Comments...

  • I think it depends on a person's goals. If they're looking to become a designer, working with illustration, branding, print design etc, I don't think there's any need for them to be taught code. If they want to be specifically a web designer, then that's a different story. I think all web designers should have at least a fundamental grasp of basic HTML/CSS, especially with designing in-browser becoming more important.
    14/03/2013 by Rik Kendell
  • Speaking as someone who left University in 1999, web design wasn't even a consideration when I was studying. My course was Graphic Design and Illustration, which I've recently come to realise is a weird combination, as illustration is always a freelance career and graphic design tends to be a permanent role. Of course, web design has become vitally important since those days, but it's such a different world, with little in common with non-web design. Personally speaking, I know it would make me more employable, but it's so far from what I want to do (illustration first, design second) that it's a lot of effort to go to for little reward, other than financial.
    03/04/2013 by Jamie Roberts
  • I agree
    28/03/2013 by Arbers

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