Story: Transform graphic designer into web designer
Summary of my transformation:
2005 Graphic design school
2006 Intern as graphic design
2006 1st Design agency as graphic designer
2009 2nd Design agency as graphic designer
2011 Learning HTML, CSS
2012 Moving from Tokyo, Japan to Vancouver, Canada
2016 PR and Freelance graphic/web designer
2018 Learning Sketch
2018 Learning UX design at Brainstation.io
2019 Learning Webflow
2019 Learning Adobe XD
2020 Shift general graphic design to branding and web design
2021 Learning Figma
2022 Current, freelance web/graphic designer
In 2022, the situation is quite different. There are tons of learning materials on the internet. I assume that if you are eager to learn web design, you can learn in $0. If you watch YouTube, someone says that you can be a web designer tomorrow. It is technically true. You can find the first 10 clients on Fiverr/Upwork for $100 each. Being able to make a website for yourself and making a website for clients are different. You will face many issues, but you will also be able to solve most of the issues. You can learn quickly.
I write the roadmap to be a web designer in 2022. I don’t know how secure a job is in the future.
*There are many ways to develop a website. This is for no-code web designers who start their careers as graphic designers.
Web Design: The Complete guide to getting started in 2022
©Flux
I watched the video, but Ran makes the process quite simple and does not explain many details.
Level 1
– Friends and family
– Template(Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Webflow)
*Visual builder(without any work) may be helpful for level 1. I don’t recommend WordPress and Webflow.
– Up to $1000
Level 2
– Fiverr/Upwork, and small business client
– Knowledge of backend(hosting)
– Knowledge of SEO/marketing
– Knowledge of coding
– Basically do it alone, collaborate occasionally
– Simple/Custom website
– Up to $5,000
Level 3
– Direct client(mid/large company)
– Understand business and branding
– Develop client relationships(soft skills)
– Team management
– Manage complex information
– Implement a contents strategy
– Interactive custom website
– Over $10,000
Roadmap to be a web designer(not web developer)
In 2022, there are many visual builders for website design.
e.g.
– Squarespace
– Wix
– Divi by WordPress
– Elementor by WordPress
– Google Web Designer
etc.
You don’t have to start learning code, Bootstrap, JavaScript or PHP, etc. It makes the process of becoming a web designer slow. If you want to be a developer, the scenario will be changed. A client does not care if you are a web designer or a web developer. A client wants to get value more than price.
Step 1. Find paid client(included friend/family)
You may think that I need to learn web design first. It was true before the internet era. Now, you can find the information on the internet and most of the solution is there. The condition, working for others is the fastest way to learn. Do not much care about quality. The quantity of work solves the quality in the future.
Step 2. Decide the platform
Once you find the first client, you cannot escape anymore 😄 You can ask for the fee upfront, but I assume that before delivery is okay in this situation(first project). You will be lier if you don’t deliver the promise. Good pressure.
Next, please decide on the CMS, Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, or Webflow. If you have no idea, search on YouTube.
🔍 What CMS should I use for the website
Step 3. Development
There is no best CMS for you. Anyway, you decide CMS. What’s next? You may say, how can I make a website?
🔍 how to make a website by…
You can find YouTuber who describes how to make a website step by step. Please simply follow it.
Step 4. Process
You submit your work to a client. Unlikely, this is the end. Client do feedback, ask you revision. You may not know how to do what a client asked. Some feedback may make you upset. This is part of the work. You will learn how to talk with clients efficiently.
Step 5. Reflection & next project
You made it. You achieved your promise. I think you feel proud of yourself. Before transferring all the information to a client, please send them an invoice.
I hope you are excited at this point and would like to learn more about web design. Please write a note(or blog) about your experience, what was good, what was wrong, and what wants to be better. Share it on your social media.
This is at the beginning of your long career. Let’s move forward to the second project and keep learning at the same time.
Conclusion: Infinity resources
In both positive and negative ways, we can reach massive information. I assume that you don’t have to go to school for especially digital skills. You will be ready for the first job.
Job-ready skills you can put to work – Grow with Google
Life is not only for making a living/money. Now you want to be a web designer. A few years later, you may find passion in something new. You may find a friend who is a future co-founder in college.
No one knows what will happen. No one can say what you should do. People can only advise based on their experience. Do you listen to it or ignore it, totally up to you. You make decisions and take responsibility for your life.
