Every once and a while I use a question put to me, as the basis for an article. This time, we have Richard asking whether web design (as a profession,) will have bright future.
The email:
Thank you for having courses that make it easier for the average laymen to comprehend the basics which will allow the complex material to sink in. I have a question though.
I am in my fifties, have done many different things in my life, and I am looking for something as a career change to take me into my second half of life and into retirement. What do you think the opportunities are going to be in the future in this type of industry taking into consideration the advancements in technology?
In other words, where do you see a web page developer or designer 5, 10, 15 years from now. Thank you for your time and consideration in my attempts to make an educated decision about my future.
Sincerely,
Richard Sherban
Hi Richard,
I think the future is good for web design and development. That said, I would like point out a few things:
Web design means flexibility
Web design is a great profession to get into because it is not unusual for web designers to work from home for their clients.
You can even take this a step further - target the world!
For people who are interested in a potential world wide market, but who don’t necessarily want to travel (maybe you live in a small town and you need to reach out …) web design gives your that flexibility.
For example:
I have a friend of mine who is a web designer and multimedia author - he creates CD/Web presentations along with web sites. He has worked as both a freelancer and as an employee of a firm.
What is interesting thought, is that he does this from many different places in the World! Sometimes he will work out of Florida, then he will head up to Montreal Canada for 6 months. These days he is running around Asia (Thailand, Korea etc ) while all along, doing his nerd work.
His clients are all still located in North America, but because of the Internet and his laptop, he’s mobile and his clients don’t mind.
Working for a company
On the other hand, if you rather work for a web design company, you will find that like most careers in the tech field, the work atmosphere is very relaxed compared to more traditional businesses - the legacy of the founding nerds!
To get those web design jobs, you will need to always look to the cutting edge web technologies - companies are always looking for people who are a step ahead of the market.
An important question:
“What do you think the opportunities are going to be in the future in this type of industry taking into consideration the advancments in technology?”
Web designers are going to need to keep on top of things and learn the technology and methods that are in line with the current trends - you can’t be building web sites the 1990’s way, while the Web has moved on.
These days that means:
- You need to learn modern web design techniques: HTML, CSS, PHP
- You need to learn to integrate web templates into your web design work-flow.
- You need to learn and use blogs like Wordpress and CMS’ like Drupal as foundations for many of your projects.
- You must understand things like usability, accessibility and SEO.
Thanks for reading,
Stefan Mischook
Stefan, I’m a little concerned about the future because automated website creation services are getting better all the time and unless a web designer can make dynamic database driven websites, it will be very hard to compete.
Ian,
“unless a web designer can make dynamic database driven websites, it will be very hard to compete.”
I agree!
Thought I think there will always be a place for Web professionals in one form or another. One of my arguments for learning PHP, is exactly that:
… these days web designers need to know how to provide functionality in a web site. So yes, we are talking about database driven websites, blog and CMS customization etc.
I actually believe that the money making web designers are those who actually do that kind of web design work rather than straight design.
Anyway, that is why I created Killerphp.com with hours of FREE videos. It’s important.
Stefan
Hi
I agree with Stefan in that it is the value-added services that a ‘professional’ web designer can offer clients that should be their usp; cms/blog customisation, integrated seo support.
Templates are just that and invariably, by non-professionals, used straight out of the box and its obvious in many cases. With the ease of installation inherent in many cPanel and other user hosting interfaces getting a site up and running can be fairly easy but it often looks that way as well ie not a lot of thought going into it.
All our sites are now based on a CMS (!Joomla) and the ease of installation is also a great help in the first instance. Depending on the requirement (how individual a client wants to be seen) an existing template can be modified or alternatively a completely new template designed. It doesn’t take long the more you do and each can be as different as any other web design process.
The beauty is that they provide a structure and operating environment to build on and with CSS, ease of update and the range of add-on facilities available, sold to client in the right way, differentiates you from those still using more ‘traditional’ methods.
Rob Willox
www.web-media.co.uk
I thin as long as a designer can theme a content management system and make the theme represent the branding we still have hop! If you learn how to develop plugin’s or widgets for that CMS then you have the amount of power most companies will need.
I think there will always be a market for skilled, creative developers. A lot of folks that need an online presence for their business like to work with a real person; thus, I for one am not worried about the $199 website company or the WYSIWYG online editors.
Thing is, I’m out there making friends in my community. Developing relationships with clients, helping them succeed in their business beyond the internet, always giving a little extra scoop of ice-cream… it is those things that will keep food on the table. Seriously, I always joke with my clients that it is their responsibility to spread the word about what I can do for them so that I can focus on keeping their websites functioning 24/7; after all, the internet’s viability is dependent upon my being connected to it… that’s a joke peeps!
Anyway, it all boils down to creativity - my attitude is there is zero competition - I’m as creative as I can be with the skills that I have and no one can take that away from me. I’m not yet where I want to be; I’m further than most and behind quite a few, and since I’m on the “work til I die” retirement program (at least for now), I don’t stress out about what I don’t know — I’ll learn it eventually.
All it takes is a few good clients and the investment of more hours than one should rightfully need in order to establish oneself as a reputable developer. I think someone with half-way decent skills can quit a day job and establish themselves over the course of a year or two. Start now! A journey of a thousand miles…
I agree with Rob Willox,
Some time ago (perhaps 5 years), I was one of those building an HTML site from scratch, it would take time and a lot of patience, most of my clients would call me afterwards or post requests of assistance through my web site just for simple updates, some of them where returning clients, some other where sent or recommended by other clients, so at the end of the day at our studio we used to literally spend hours in fixing small details for existing web sites and not charging a penny for it. However with the advent of the modern technologies and scripting such as PHP / MySql driven CMS portals (joomla / Mambo etc.), we have established a completely new system at work. Working with templates? There is nothing to be ashamed about, take any of the joomla commercial templates around, they are great, the site itself offers a lot more interactivity than the previous generation and with a touch of a good “master” more can be added or changed. The good thing is that the clients are happy to subsequently make their own updates and we can focus on going on with our real work.
Daniele,
I agree with your approach of using blogs and CMS’s. Actually, I believe it is the future of web design.
And that is one of the reasons why I believe ALL web designers must learn PHP.
… To have full control over a CMS or blog (which are more than likely created with PHP) you need to understand at least some basic PHP so that you can tweak the functionality/behavior of the CMS or blog. That is why I created www.killerphp.com - to make it easy for web designer to learn PHP.
Stefan
Web design is a fast paced industry and people concerned have to keep up to date with all modern technologies in order to succeed.
Website designers will always be required. Its not just the technology that we can offer, but in the end of the day we’re supposed to be the professionals that know what to do to generate results for our customers. Results being sales for example. Any kid can throw a site together these days, and many people dont even need CMS. So as more people turn to the internet for information and resources, the more dependant businesses will become for the professionals to step up and help them gain an edge.
Web design has a bright future. Maybe not a killer one, but definitely a sustainable one.
I think “Web Design Professional” hit the nail on the head.
In the end, your clients don’t wake up in the morning and say, “Hey, we’re out of websites, let’s get one.”
What they really what is what the website will do for their business. Or what they THINK it will do.
Those are the “results” Web Design Professional is talking about.
I think the future of web design will require more and more designers to learn how to position what they do in those terms (in terms of client business results). That’s where the money is. The technology is just a means to get there.
Hi Stefan,
Just want to tell you that your site “killerphp.com” really “rocks”…I have added to my favorites.
@Daniele,
Glad you like it.
Thanks,
Stefan
Jason said it. It’s about the business results. However, I do think the key is in the “designer” part of web design. Branding is playing such a huge role in this ever-cluttered world, that the ability to create a design that successfully brands a company (something most likely not gained through a template) will serve a tremendous value to companies.
But overall, yeah, make web sites. But make sure they generate results for your clients, and you’ll have a job for life.