Web design is a creative and technical field that requires a lot of skills, knowledge, and passion. As a web design Vancouver freelancer, I love creating beautiful and functional websites that help my clients achieve their goals and delight their users.
But I also face many challenges and frustrations along the way, and sometimes I feel like my work is not valued or respected as much as it should be.
In this article, I want to share with you why I think web designers are underappreciated and what we can do to change that.
Web design is more than just making things look pretty
One of the most common misconceptions about web design is that it’s all about making things look pretty. While aesthetics are important, they are not the only aspect of web design. Web design is also about:
- Understanding the needs and expectations of the users and the clients
- Creating a clear and intuitive information architecture and navigation
- Applying the principles of user interface design and user experience design
- Ensuring the website is responsive, accessible, and fast
- Incorporating SEO best practices and content strategy
- Testing and optimizing the website for different devices, browsers, and scenarios
- Communicating and collaborating with other web professionals, such as developers, copywriters, marketers, etc.
All of these tasks require a lot of research, planning, problem-solving, creativity, and technical skills. Web design is not something that can be done quickly or cheaply. It takes time, effort, and expertise to create a website that meets the standards of quality and usability.
Web design is constantly evolving
Another challenge that web designers face is that web design is constantly evolving. The web is a dynamic and competitive environment, where new technologies, trends, and best practices emerge every day.
Web designers have to keep up with these changes and learn new skills and tools to stay relevant and effective.
For example, some of the recent developments in web design include:
- The rise of mobile devices and responsive design
- The importance of user privacy and security
- The adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning
- The emergence of new design systems and frameworks
- The integration of social media and e-commerce platforms
These changes require web designers to adapt their workflows and processes, as well as their mindsets and attitudes.
Web designers have to be curious, flexible, and willing to learn new things. They also have to be proactive and innovative, as well as collaborative and communicative.
Web design is often undervalued
Despite the complexity and diversity of web design, web designers are often undervalued by their clients, employers, or even themselves.
Some of the reasons why this happens are:
- Web design is not well understood by many people outside the industry. They may not appreciate the amount of work and skill involved in creating a website. They may also have unrealistic expectations or demands regarding the scope, timeline, or budget of a web design project.
- Web design is not well-recognized by many people inside the industry. They may not acknowledge the contribution or impact of web design on the success of a website. They may also have conflicting or competing interests or opinions regarding the goals or priorities of a web design project.
- Web design is not well rewarded by many people in general. They may not pay fair or adequate compensation for web design services or products. They may also not provide positive or constructive feedback or recognition for web design work.
These factors can lead to web designers feeling frustrated, demotivated, or even burned out. They can also affect the quality and performance of their work.
How to Overcome the common web design challenges
As a web designer who has faced many of these challenges myself, I want to share with you some tips on how to overcome them:
- Educate your clients or employers about what web design entails and why it matters. Explain your process, methods, tools, and deliverables. Show them examples of your work and how it meets their needs and expectations. Set clear and realistic expectations and boundaries regarding the scope, timeline, budget, feedback, etc.
- Communicate with your team members or collaborators about your role and responsibilities in a web design project. Share your ideas, insights, questions, concerns, etc. Listen to their perspectives, suggestions, feedback, etc. Respect their expertise and experience. Seek alignment and consensus on the goals and priorities of a web design project.
- Value your work and yourself as a web designer. Charge fair or adequate rates for your services or products. Negotiate contracts or agreements that protect your rights and interests. Seek positive or constructive feedback or recognition for your work. Celebrate your achievements and learn from your mistakes.
Web design is a rewarding and fulfilling career that allows you to express your creativity and make a difference in the world. But it also comes with many challenges and frustrations that can make you feel underappreciated.
By following these tips, you can overcome web design and development challenges and enjoy your work as a web designer.
