Web designers create websites for the Internet and intranet sites that are internal to their organizations.

Duties and responsibilities vary considerably from one position or project to another depending on the organization's needs. In general, however, web designers work with a wide variety of people in an organization to:

• determine website goals and objectives
• design website content that satisfies the webmaster, website content writers in the organization and website users external to the organization
• use graphics programs or work with graphic artists to create unique graphics for the site that do not make site access speeds unacceptably slow
• work with marketing experts to ensure that advertisements get maximum exposure
• convert written, graphic, audio and video components to compatible formats by using software designed to facilitate the conversion process or by doing the required programming themselves
• ensure that the site operates as planned by performing site and usage analyses and modifying the site as needed
• upgrade site content on an ongoing basis to improve and keep the site visually interesting.

In large organizations, design and technical responsibilities may be divided among two or more employees.

Web designers may work with computer programmers to design and develop business applications.

Web designers may work in an office environment or from home. They may work standard weekday hours or work mostly evening and weekend hours (when they have access to servers and systems while fewer users are online). Overtime often is required to meet project deadlines. Occupational hazards include eyestrain and injuries related to repetitive movement.

The work can be stressful when there are tight deadlines, technical problems and when interested parties have conflicting ideas about the design or content of a website.

Web designers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some employers require applicants to have at least two years of related post-secondary education.

Many web designers have moved into this occupation from other occupations. For example, some web designers are graduates of post-secondary education programs in computer science who have acquired the necessary writing, graphic design and management knowledge and skills through working closely with other professionals such as graphic artists and marketing managers, and through professional development activities (for example, reading, personal experimentation, attending seminars). For information about post-secondary education programs in computer science, see the Computer Programmer occupational profile.

Some web designers have worked in fields other than computer science and acquired the necessary computer skills through work experience and professional development activities. For more information about related occupations, see the Graphic Designer, Librarian, Marketing Manager and Technical Writer occupational profiles.

Whatever their background, web designers must continuously upgrade their knowledge in this rapidly changing field.

In Alberta, the following post-secondary institutions offer programs specifically related to website design:

• Academy of Learning, a private vocational school in Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat and Red Deer, offers a 43 week Web Designer program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.  
• Grande Prairie Regional College, offers a four semester Visual Arts diploma program with a specialization in interactive digital design. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with English Language Arts 30-1, or equivalent. 
• Grant McEwan College in Edmonton offers a two year Design Studies diploma program with a specialization in design and digital media. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with at least 65 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1, or equivalent and a certificate in Design Foundations, or equivalent and ENGL 108, or equivalent.
• GURU Digital Arts College, a private vocational school in Edmonton, offers a 24 week Digital Arts and Media program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with at least 65 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1, or equivalent and 60 per cent in Pure or Applied Math 30.
• Lethbridge College offers a two year Multimedia Production diploma program. Entrance requirements include English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 and Social Studies 30 or 33, or equivalent.
• Mount Royal College in Calgary offers a 246 hour Web Design certificate program through Continuing Education. Applicants must have strong computer and file management skills. 
• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton offers a two year Digital Media Design diploma program. Entrance requirements include Grade 12 English and Pure or Applied Math 20. NAIT also offers Digital Imaging, Digital Publishing and Web Design programs through Continuing Education. 
• Pixel Blue College, a private vocational school in Edmonton, offers 22 week programs in Design and Motion Graphics and Digital Audio Production and a 25 week program in 3D Animation. The entrance requirement for all three programs is a high school diploma or equivalent. 
• Red Deer College offers a 20 week Multimedia Web Developer certificate program through Continuing Education. High school completion is recommended. 
• Reeves College, a private vocational school in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Lloyminster offers a 34 week Computer Graphic Design program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with Grade 12 English and Grade 10 Math.
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary offers a two year New Media Production and Design diploma program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with at least 60 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, or equivalent. SAIT also offers Digital Imaging and Master Design programs through Continuing Education.
• Sprott-Shaw Community College in Calgary offers 35 week part-time programs: Computer Graphics and Web Media, Digital Animation and Digital Media Arts. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with Grade 12 English and Math 10 or any Grade 11 math, or equivalent.
• The University of Calgary offers a WEB Design program through Continuing Education. Entrance requirements include Windows navigation skills and an introductory computer course.
• The University of Lethbridge offers a four year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program specializing in New Media. The entrance requirement is a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, three other approved 30 level courses and a fifth approved course at the Grade 12 level.

For current information on specific programs and mature student admission policies, check post-secondary calendars or websites.

Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis. 

Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act. This means that to call yourself an Information Systems Professional or use the I.S.P. designation, you must be a registered member of the Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS Alberta). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself an Information Systems Professional.

Web designers may be employed by or work on a contract basis for a wide variety of organizations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Employers may ask job candidates to submit a Web portfolio of current, active websites they have created plus descriptions of site goals, target audiences and results.

Experienced web designers may move into related occupations such as systems security analyst, information systems quality assurance analyst, computer programmer or interactive media developer. Those who have management skills may become webmasters.

Web designers are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 2175: Web Designers and Developers. In Alberta, 75 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• Information, Culture and Recreation
• Educational Services.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years.

Income figures for web designers vary considerably depending on their qualifications and the scope of the position. Inexperienced web designers may work on volunteer projects or for relatively little compensation to gain experience and build a portfolio.

According to the 2007 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Web Designers and Developers occupational group working part time or full time earned from $31,500 to $101,600 a year. The average salary was $49,100 a year.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo

Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) website: www.cips.ca

Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) website: www.ictc-ctic.ca

Discover IT website: www.discoverit.org