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Career Profile

Web designer

Web designers use creative and technical skills to design engaging, user-friendly websites. They develop layouts, select visual elements, consider user experience and collaborate with developers to bring digital concepts to life.
Creative and MediaIT and Digital
Average weekly salary
$1500
Future demand
Strong
Most common education level
Bachelor degree

What does a web designer do?

Ever wondered, what is web design? With one eye on aesthetics and the other on great functionality, a web designer creates the visual elements for a website or application. A website designer works closely with a web developer to create a website, ensuring it looks both visually appealing and also provides a good user experience. There are a variety of skills needed for this job including the ability to use design software and it’s also helpful to have knowledge of computer coding. Website design holistically looks at the visual appearance, UX design and accessibility of a website.

As a website designer you could choose to work in-house, for an agency, or run your own business as a freelance web designer across a range of industries.  

Is a career as a web developer right for me?

If you have both an eye for design and an aptitude for technology, you might like working as a website designer. Creativity, innovation, and the ability to collaborate with others are also important attributes, along with the adaptability to keep pace with changing technologies and design trends.

Other skills beneficial for this role include:

Creativity and innovation
Creative expression, storytelling and original thinking.
Teamwork
An ability to work effectively and collaborate with a range of stakeholders.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Analytical thinking
An ability to analyse and interpret information.

Problem-solving and decision-making
The ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and make informed decisions.

How to become a web designer

There are several ways to become a web designer, combining creative design skills with an understanding of digital technology. Relevant study can help you build a strong foundation in design principles, software and web technologies, while practical experience and a portfolio can help showcase your skills to potential employers. 

Here's one pathway you can take to becoming a web designer:

  1. Complete a qualification in digital design, graphic design, digital media or a related discipline.
  2. Develop skills in design software and learn the fundamentals of user experience (UX), accessibility and responsive web design.
  3. Build your knowledge of web technologies, including the basics of HTML and CSS.
  4. Create a portfolio of website and digital design projects to demonstrate your creative and technical skills.
  5. Gain practical experience through internships and project based work.

How long does it take to become a web designer?

Becoming a web designer in Australia typically requires a formal qualification in web design, digital design, digital media, or some other related field. A university bachelor degree can be one way to gain the required qualifications to become a web designer and typically takes three to four years to complete.  Gaining practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or research projects may also factor into the overall timeline to becoming a web designer. It's important to consider your own academic and professional aspirations when planning your educational pathway.

Start your journey with UniSQ

Begin your career in web design with a UniSQ degree and gain the design, digital and problem-solving skills needed to create engaging online experiences.

Bachelor of Digital Design
Go to degree
Information Technology degrees
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Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Designing website layouts, visual elements and interfaces that align with project requirements.

Creating and refining digital designs using industry-standard design software and tools.

Applying user experience (UX), accessibility and responsive design principles to create user-friendly websites.

Collaborating with web developers, clients and other stakeholders to develop and implement website designs.

Reviewing and testing designs to ensure visual consistency, functionality and usability across different devices.

Where you might work

Digital business and marketing agencies

Arts and creative organisations

Media, publishing and broadcasting organisations

Cloud computing and IT infrastructure organisations

Data analytics and artificial intelligence organisations

Software development and technology companies

Web designer FAQs

Web designers are creative professionals who design the layout, visual appearance, and usability of websites. They focus on making web pages both visually appealing and user-friendly while considering branding, colour schemes, typography, and readability. Web designers typically use software like Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, and wireframe tools to mock up the look and feel of a website before working with web developers to create the website.

The primary difference between web developers and web designers lies in their focus areas. Web designers concentrate on the visual and aesthetic aspects of a website, ensuring the site is engaging and user-friendly. They work on the design, layout, and sometimes content of a website. On the other hand, web developers take the designs provided by web designers and build functional websites from them. They use web languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP to develop the technical and interactive elements of a website.

Yes, the demand for web designers is strong. As businesses continue to emphasise a strong online presence to build their customer base, the need for professional and visually appealing websites increases. The growth in ecommerce and mobile applications also adds to the demand for designers who can create user-friendly and effective interfaces and creates employment opportunities within Australia and globally.

Freelance web designers in Australia typically charge between $50 and $150 per hour, with earnings varying based on experience, expertise, and the type of clients they work with. Skilled and experienced freelancers who build a strong reputation and steady client base can enjoy higher earning potential and greater flexibility in their careers.

Yes, web design often requires some level of coding, especially if you're involved in creating or modifying websites. The extent of coding you need to do as a web designer will vary depending on the specific role and project. Web designers can use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to craft the layout, style, and interactivity of a website. Some designers might focus on the visual aspects of the website and use AI-powered tools for automatic coding, whereas others might delve deeper into development with more complex programming languages and frameworks.

Related careers

Web developer
Game designer
Animator
UX designer

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).