The number of active websites in the world today stand at an excess of over 1.5 billion. While a website was once a good thing to have, today, a business website is a must-have for almost any enterprise.
With this trend, comes numerous opportunities for creatives in website design and development. However, it takes more than creativity and raw talent to build a successful design career. So what gives?
Web Illustrations by Peter Tarka
Here are seven tips to help you become a highly sought after design professional.
1. Be a Good Communicator
Being able to express yourself articulately is not an option here.
Granted, creative people don’t tend to be the best talkers. However, part of your job will be pitching to clients and describing your vision for their websites in detail.
You must therefore be able to speak clearly and persuasively.
2. Work on Your Listening Skills
Articulating yourself will be just as useful as being able to listen effectively.
The clients you get will come to you with an idea in mind that they would like implemented.
They also have an in-depth knowledge of their audiences, as well as their overall objectives with their websites.
Good listening skills will help you capture and understand your clients’ visions and implement them fully.
The ability to do this will get you long term clients and referrals.
3. Get Academic Qualifications
While talent is good, it’s important to get solid training in design as well.
Formal training gives you a solid foundation and provides a stepping stone into the professional world of design. It also allows you to grow a network with peers that will be useful in years to come.
Aside from a foundation course, ensure to take periodic courses to polish up and learn new design skills.
Many Courses online offers design courses you can comfortably take after work or in between creative meetings with clients.
It is also important to take internships and trainee programs that will allow you to gain some practical experience in web design and development.
Aside from beefing up your resume, such opportunities will also give you the confidence to pitch and take on paying clients.
4. Sell Yourself
Designers can work in agencies, start their own agencies or freelance. Whichever direction you take, marketing yourself will be key in getting you new accounts.
Use your networks, word of mouth and social media to market your skills and attract clients.
Think of yourself as a businessperson and use marketing as a way to grow your trade.
5. Learn Proper Time Management
If you are a freelancer, you will not have the typical 9 to 5 working hours. In addition, you will spend some time visiting clients in their homes or offices for strategy meetings.
Strong time management skills will help you make the most of your day.
One way to do this is to divide up your time and allocate time for different things. Be sure to reserve enough time for social media marketing and pitching besides the actual design work.
6. Ask For Feedback
What you think is your best project yet, might not be viewed as such.
One way to keep improving your work is by requesting honest feedback from your circle as well as other designers in your network.
Be open to criticism and to re-working your projects to satisfy client expectations.
7. Stay on Top of Technology
Computer technology is very dynamic.
To be successful in this field, you must stay in tune with new developments in the industry.
If you are unable to keep up with new trends, your clientele will flock to your completion.
Work at It
Like any other trade, design and web development calls for you to put in the hours, get the skills and sell your skills.
As you grow, ensure to create a stellar portfolio that will also help you garner jobs in the future.
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