What You Need
If you ask most employed web designers what factors were most important in their development as a web designer you’ll probably hear “experience” and “school” at the top of their lists.

Outside of coding skills there are other elements that make a web designer successful. The following traits are things that you won’t usually hear about successful web designers.
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Design Is Everything
Most aspiring web designers are very talented in coding. They have a thorough grasp of various programming languages and are accomplished at putting together tight code. But this is only part of what you need to become a successful web designer.

A web designer must have a good eye for design, color, and composition. These qualities can be taught to a certain extent, but without a real innate understanding and talent for the art of design, the web designer is only achieving half of his or her potential.

If there is any doubt about this a quick glance on the Internet provides unlimited examples of technically flawless websites with a total lack of graphic design expertise or inspiration.
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The forum editor of PC Advisor stated very candidly and accurately:

“I’ve always believed that although you can teach the technical aspects of site construction, site design is an entirely different thing, and to a large extent your success or failure in that field depends on whether or not you have an innate sense of design.

Many people don’t, and although they can pick up many design do’s and don’ts they will probably never become designers in the true sense of the word. I say that in no way to infer any sense of elitism – it’s a simple fact of life.”

A web designer needs as much graphic design education as possible. This can be done formally by attending classes or through training seminars, online education or other resources.

Good People Skills
You probably won’t find this as a course at your local graphic design school or in your code textbooks but this is a very important quality that successful web designers should have — good people skills.

Unfortunately the stereotype of the nerdy-arrogant web programmer is sometimes too real. This individual balks at taking advice from clients and is insistent about the only right way to design a website — his way. Customer service is essential in any successful business and this means good communication skills.

The ability to listen, work with your client, and understand their needs should be something that is second nature to you. A client doesn’t need to know why a certain app or plugin is hard to implement or is illogical, all they want is results. You, as a professional, can guide them into better solutions but this takes finesse and good people skills.

Next Time…
We’ll delve into some more unspoken qualities that successful web designers possess. Until then, keep on coding.

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