As the internet attracts more and more daily users who engage in various activities online there is a natural increase in the demand for people who can design great, visually arresting and highly usable websites.
There is always a demand for web developers who have artistic flair- Patrick J. O Brien
Although it’s still early in 2012, the importance of visual storytelling is clearly one of the year’s breakout trends. Facebook Timeline and Pinterest are forcing brands to think and act more visually. Couple that with the impact of mobile browsing, and these emerging trends give new meaning to the phrase “show, don’t tell.” In other words, the “beautification of the web” era is upon us.
Businesses and even individuals who run websites for their own enjoyment frequently do not have the time or are not prepared to put in the effort to develop their own websites. Who can blame them? As the web becomes increasingly popular so website design standards go up, new programming languages and techniques come into use and ever more complex and attractive visuals are possible. This is where web developers can clean up and the bustling trade in web development is clearly healthy enough to support huge numbers of design agencies and a legion of individual web developers.
While this may mean more work for web developers it also means more competition. Possibly the most robust movement within the past year was the large transition for the cloud. Shifting major computer software projects to distant servers has dramatically lifted the demand for web design services worldwide.
A different sturdy trend inside the web design sector in 2012 had been the mobile programs building. Mobile equipment markets continued to grow worldwide. Castille Resources clients are continuously strengthening and maintaining their brands and in doing so are looking for talented individuals in the web development and design field, seeking individuals not only with talent but with high initiative and artistic flair.
The kinds of jobs available for web developers are extremely varied and so is the pay. Assignments can range from the simple installation of a content management system or a layout design to the creation of a dedicated application or the implementation of a fully functional complex website with multiple users and a unique visual draw. There are a huge number of jobs demanding clones of existing websites which have proved successful and many demanding viral content such as a browser game.
The range of skills necessary to fulfill most web development jobs has increased dramatically and as websites are rarely just a blend of simple HTML and images anymore if you have specialist skills you can expect to find frequent work. Popular demands in terms of programming include PHP, XML, AJAX, .NET, JavaScript, Flash, Python, Visual Basic and even C and C++. While some employers are looking for script installation others expect new systems or applications to be designed to their specifications and these jobs can prove extremely lucrative.
Finally there is always a great demand for web developers who have artistic flair and understand usability. Whether customers are seeking a new look for their website, a usability overhaul or a specialised theme for their Wordpress blog talented artists specialising in web design will find plenty of jobs.
It is therefore advised that a person seeking this career should not rely as many do on the free tutorials found on the internet. Though these are also useful, it still helps if there is a student-teacher interaction occurring. This helps the student to learn more about web development and design and it helps him answer his immediate questions on “how”.
Aside from that, the courses also give you a bit off knowledge on things that the internet cannot teach, such as experiences of professors as well as immediate answers should the student see something wrong in the process. My point? Enroll in a school, even if is just a certificate course. With that, you get all the things you need: the lessons, the professional teachers, and the software, in leading you to a web design career. In Malta there are many colleges offering short term courses.
Design is a critical pillar of the overall brand experience. It is part of many success stories within the business world, and the rest of the web has taken note. Branding is not about creating beautiful designs, it is about engaging with your audience.
It is the responsibility of a developer/designer to guide their clients to understand the value of being laser focused in their messaging, and in adopting a less is more philosophy to engage them in the process of planning out the user experience. While most businesses can relate to the beauty of Apple’s products and design aesthetic, which certainly brought great design to the forefront, they struggle to translate this concept for their own brands. They want to be sure they have not missed a message or a feature that might be relevant to some portion of their audience and it is here where developers and designers can make their mark.
www.castilleresources.com
Mr O’ Brien is marketing officer with Castille Resources Ltd, a local ICT and finance recruitment specialist.