What You Must Know for Professional Web Design

Posted by Crystal on Apr 11, 2010 in Management | 4 comments

Many web design hobbyists someday dream of venturing into the world of professional web design — clients, companies, and getting paid. However, whether you’ve jumped into that pool or not yet, there are a number of ‘web designers’ that just don’t know how to be a part of the profession just yet. Being a web designer is not just about knowing how to design websites. It’s about working in a business world, solving problems, and applying those web designs skills in a practical way.

In this post we’ll go over some of the core assets any professional web designer must know. Web design isn’t all about the aesthetics, so from essential design concepts to business concepts, we’ll cover how to go from hobbyist to professional.

1. Typography, Smart Typography

Websites are all about displaying information, and most of that information is displayed in content — through type. Having readable type is just one of the most standard, and important aspects of usability in web design. While I could go on and on about other usability needs (please, study about them as well), I always put a focus on typography because it is usually where good usability is needed the most.

The thing that separates “web design” from “professional web design” is the understanding that one should design type for the user, for the length of the text, and for the content that is going to be displayed. One should not design type based on personal preference or purely aesthetic quality.

As a professional web designer, learn about how our eyes work, and how our brains work for the best readability. Learn about baselines, contrast, serif vs. sans-serif, etc. Learn to work with em based sizes as much as possible, and learn how each typographic style should apply to body text, headings, blockquotes, and other elements.

For more knowledge on the subject, read through The Elements of Typographic Style Applied to the Web.

2. Layout for the User’s Experience

As a web designer just starting out myself, I loved to experiment with different layout options, some being not-so-rational. I took pride in the ‘uniqueness’ I could provide from the standard header-content-sidebar-footer layout every other designer seemed to be so fond of. However, I soon realized that there was a lot more to a standard wireframe than lack of ‘layout creativity.’

Of course, this standard type of wireframe is not the only smart layout used in professional web design either. The point is that going through a wireframe stage, deciding on where to place content, and using those areas to the best advantage is all a part of the professional design process. It’s about the user’s experience. It’s about where the user’s eye will need to go, and when it will need to go there.

By laying out goals and actions in collaboration with the client first, I was able to create much better outcomes, and in most cases, more unique layout styles anyway.

3. Use Design Accents for Calls to Action

New designers like to use design tricks to make things prettier. Professional designers know that added design features can (and should) be used to accent calls to action, navigation, and other pieces that need attention. Professional designers know that design is for the user, not just to make things pretty.

Take the above web design for example. Much of the design interest is in the typography and unique layout. All of the imagery or shapes used aren’t just placed wherever, they are strategically placed to bring the viewers eyes to the most important pieces of content, and in a specific order.

4. Your Unique Style

Beginners have the tendency to copy small techniques, actions, and even the style of designers they look up to. Not a bad practice, especially if you’re just learning and testing out new waters. However, for amateur designers, it shows through too.

To become a professional designer, part of it is coming to terms with one’s own style, best practices, and unique sense of design. In the early stages it’s ok to experiment with different things to see what style we enjoy best, but when gaining clients, we’ll want to showcase our own style in our portfolio, and give our clients that same style presented in their final product.

Above is featured the design styles of Chris Spooner, Nick La, and Jacob Cass. They are all great designers, but one can still see how much they each differ in style. Their unique styles, and their willingness to focus on them make them successful.

5. How to Be Professional

This may seem obvious to most, but to be a professional web designer, you must act like a true professional. Get a domain name, use a business email address (no gmail, hotmail, etc.), write in full sentences, send out proposals and formal quotes, and work by professional budgets and time frames. If you don’t want to be an amateur, don’t look like one!

To be a professional web designer, learn about the business of web design. In return, this will not only let you look more professional, but can get you more clients, higher pay, and better outcomes for your projects. It can also help to work steady hours, get a business phone, etc. However, as with any Free Creative attitude, below are a few professional things you don’t need to do as a professional freelance web designer:

1. Wear a business suit to your home office.
2. Work 9-5.
3. Buy fancy office supplies (unless you’re like me and find that part enjoyable, just keep it within reason).
4. Be exactly like a fellow designer you look up to.
5. Meet every single client in person or by phone call. (Big ones probably, but let’s not get too formal with everyone!)