Why is learning to code websites useful for a web designer
A web designer is essentially an artist, incorporating aesthetics onto functional aspects of a website in a way that will satisfy or, better yet, surpass the expectations of clients. For this to happen the end product should exude an appeal and behave in a way that mirrors the customer’s image in it. And though mainly a designer’s main focus is the visual aspect of websites, it is only a fraction of the work put into an overall website development. The deliverables of the designer, in formats such as Photoshop files and others like them, will then pass on to the programmer to code into HTML. Therefore the designer’s work begins and ends with the artistic concepts that are employed in the website’s creation. It is, however, recommended for him or her to gain a working knowledge on the areas immediately beyond these concepts. Code scripting skills in HTML and CSS give the designer an edge over competitors in negotiating bigger contracts with prospective clients. Skills that enable an individual to complete a project singlehandedly usually allow for a better end product than a project that involved many hands in its processes. Such designs tend to be more fluid and natural with only one professional doing the job.
The advantage of being a web designer with HTML skills over a plain graphics professional lies in that he or she can incorporate code-friendly aspects to the design from the ground up. Therefore, any design that is produced will be easier to write into code when the time requires. This lends practicality and flexibility in the conceptualization stages of the website development. With a decent amount of knowledge in programming, a designer can create a layout that strikes a balance between aesthetics and functionality. This balance is very important to the overall outcome of the project, which objective is to develop a functional design either way. Therefore professionals who can both design and program websites deliver more search-engine optimized, error-free, cross-browser compatible products than separate individuals who may have conflicting directions that each follows to arrive at the final outcome of the project. On a more practical note, hiring one person instead of two to complete a job is cheaper in many ways. Not only does it mean paying only a smaller fee, it also saves the client money spent on fixes to problems arising from incompatible programming and design.
Being aware of the limitations of design technology is useful to creating solutions to such problems as browser incompatibility and restrictions imposed by programming. Without this awareness, an otherwise appealing design with technical issues may inadvertently be thrown out the window without the designer even finding a way around the flaw. A freer hand in the overall progress of the project also results in a richer design.
The programming side to a web design, such as HTML scripting and CSS also lend themselves to on-page search engine optimization. Most of the techniques involved in SEO are founded on the technical aspects of websites, and a designer with a hand in these can be reasonably instructed to do SEO for the project starting from day one. And although search engine optimization is no rocket science, the fact that the client can have it done as part of the design package is a bargain in most cases.
HTML and CSS basics are but simple extensions of the web designer’s work, such that little effort in learning them opens doors that will benefit all concerned. Full control over a project with no other expert to look over one’s shoulders inspire the web designer to take complete responsibility and credit for the finished work, leaving no room for doubt who to go to in case a fix is to be done after delivery. This also engenders work pride which in turn is the key to quality output. Learning dynamic content format such as PHP provides more creative possibilities for the designer, and more skills to showcase to prospective clients. Most importantly, a web designer gains the self-respect and satisfaction from knowing he or she has the ability to do a project, from start to finish.
