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Web Designer
Web designers use a combination of design and IT skills to produce web pages for the Internet.

In order to create a website, a web designer starts with the end user in mind. The most successful sites allow people to travel around them with ease. There is an important balance between a creative design and ease of use. In addition, a web designer as with any commercial artist, designs a website to the satisfaction of the client. Therefore websites are designed in accordance with the specifications of the client and within a stipulated budget. This means that the designer works very closely with the customer, and often in conjunction with the public relations staff and software engineers.

The web pages are developed and designed through a combination of art and programming. Many designers make their websites as interactive as possible. This means that there is a two-way flow of information between the user and the website, that is, the computer responds to the user’s requests. The web page can range from a single page to a more complex maze of windows and links, each providing different types of information.

Web designers can use a number of different ways to communicate information. This includes the use of multimedia, for example, text, speech, graphics, animation or video pictures. Web designers may use HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) to present text and graphics; they may also use other programming languages such as Java, to add a level of interactivity to a website.

Web designers may be asked by the client to manage the sites they have created. Alternatively, they may be asked to create a site which enable the clients to make their own changes so that they are not reliant on the web designer. In both cases, websites need to be up-to-date and relevant.

Web page designers must ensure that users are able to do searches on the particular web page and extract the required information. The traditional services offered by the Internet are well known to most, but the explosion in growth of its use has sparked further demand for the design of service pages provided by the Information Superhighway (of which the Internet is only a part). These would include services in the following areas:

Business: telecommuting and electronic commerce, for example, company directories made available to the public via the Internet

Consumer: interactive television, video telephones, video-on-demand, information on demand and other on-line services such as electronic home shopping

Academic / Scientific: telemedicine, telerobotics and distance learning

It is, therefore, important that web designers stay up-to-date with developments and innovations in technology as well as in business market information.

Satisfying Aspects
- knowing that your clients are satisfied
- being creative
- being able to provide society with much needed information

Demanding aspects
- dealing with tremendous strain on the eyes as focus is constantly needed
- working under pressure can be taxing

Requirements
A website designer should:
- have good communication skills;
- have good computer skills;
- be able to think clearly and logically;
- be able to communicate ideas clearly;
- have good intellectual abilities;
- have initiative;
- be creative;
- be well disciplined;
- work accurately;
- have good judgement and decision-making abilities;
- have patience and perseverance.

School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course

Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.

Compulsory Subjects: none
Recommended Subjects: Visual Arts or Information Technology

Training
Many entrants have a degree or a diploma in a computer-related subject. Entry is also possible with a non-IT degree, especially in art or design subjects. For some employers, however, experience and proof of your creative abilities (such as a personal website) are more important than academic qualifications.

Degree: BA Fine Art - most universities

Diploma: Web and Multimedia - TUT, various relevant diplomas - CUT, TUT, CPUT, UNISA, UJ

Certificate: at FET Colleges, eg Northlink
Private institutions such as Boston, City Varsity, Damelin etc

Employer
- Internet industry
- Private organisations
- Universities, universites of technology, colleges
- Any person, group or organisation who needs web pages
- Self-employment, offer services on a freelance or contract basis

Contact
National Arts Council
P O Box 500
Newtown
Gauteng, 2113
Tel: (011) 838-1383
Fax: (011) 838-6363
E-mail: info@nac.org.za
www.nac.org.za

Artslink.co.za
Tel: 082 230 CALL
Tel: 082 230 2255
Fax: (011) 388-1045
E-mail: info@artslink.co.za
www.artslink.co.za

Artthrob Online magazine

www.artthrob.co.za