subject: What You Didnt Expect To Learn In Web Design School [print this page] When you think of the topics covered in web design school, the typical ones that would pop into mind are courses on Flash or Colour Theory, just to name a few. But what about courses on marketing and Microsoft Word? Do these subjects belong in a classroom filled with aspiring web designers? In short, the answer is yes. In fact, a web designer needs to know much more than things that directly relate to design. Like any other expert, a web designer must be able to grasp the core topics as well as those that hover in the less mentioned but very important periphery.
Here are just some of the topics web design students can expect to study, despite what intuition tells them.
Microsoft Word
Wait a second, isnt Word the writers sanctuary? Understandably, Microsoft Word seems to be the antithesis of web design. But like any specialization, it is important to be skilled in all applicable areas and programs. Truthfully, a web designer shouldnt stop at Word. They should also master the multiple layers of all Office programs, like Excel and Power Point. With the anticipation of drafting coding, presentations, and compiling tables, knowing how to use Office applications is a key skill that web designers will need to have.
Marketing and Sales
How is Marketing included as an official web design course? There are two principal reasons why understanding the complexities of marketing and sales will propel your career as a web designer. Firstly, and most obviously, there will likely come a time when you need to pitch your work to a client or prospective employer, in which case you will need to impress them not only by your work, but your ability to present your work in a way that it stands out from all the rest. Secondly, your marketing skills will allow you to gain a better grasp the web design industry as a whole. From this, you will be able to identify emerging trends, and thus design according to whether you want to run parallel or perpendicular to the mainstream.
Job Search and Resume Writing
As nice as it may sound, going to web design school will not actually land you a great web design job. Also, while it is absolutely vital that you develop and master your design skills, your talent will not actually get you where you want to go all by itself. The key to gaining access into your desired pathways is knowing where to look. Do you want to work as freelance designer? Do you want to be an in-house wed designer in a large corporation? Or do you want to design remotely, working with client and companies from all around the world? It is very important that you learn how to search for career opportunities that you actually want, rather than any job that involves web design. A course on job searching and resume writing will do exactly that, and will also guide you on key elements of presentation, cover letters and professional correspondence.
