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"I would say, for a web designer, get really good design training," says
web designer Julie Matthews Burnette.
Most web design companies require formal graphic design training. Some
universities offer two-year programs, but three- and four-year programs are
becoming the norm.
Hilary Ashworth is director of communications for a design association.
She says web designers need to have more skills today than a few years ago.
"When the web first came out, it was really just a question of the software,
understanding the technology," says Ashworth. "But I think most companies
now and most design firms realize that there's a lot more to having a good
website.
"There's a lot more to it than just the technology. Having a design that
is user-friendly and that's attractive and that also is consistent with the
identity and other materials of a company is really important."
Any program in graphic design will cover basic concepts such as typography,
layout, balance, symmetry and color.
"Understanding all of the simple communication design [principles] is
vital no matter what the medium is, whether it's web or print or signage or
packaging," says Ashworth.
Creative designers should have a portfolio of work (examples of your best
work) to show. Most have a community college diploma or another post-secondary
diploma or degree in visual arts or fine arts with a specialization in graphic
arts, commercial art or photography.