web designer

National Occupation Classification Code: 2175


NEED TO KNOW:

What are the main duties of a Web Designer in Alberta?

Duties and responsibilities vary from one position/project to another depending on the organization's needs.
 
Typical duties include:

� Working with design teams, marketing staff and developers to create a consistent and compelling visual style for a company�s website
� Designing and formatting web pages
� Testing and trouble shooting web page features
� Creating artwork to appear on web pages and using graphics programs or work with graphic artists to create unique graphics for the site that do not make site access speeds unacceptably slow
� Working with marketing experts to ensure that advertisements get maximum exposure
� Converting 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
� Ensuring that the site operates as planned by performing site and usage analyses and modifying the site as needed
� Upgrading site content on an ongoing basis to

What are the requirements to work as a Web Designer in Alberta? 

Web Designers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. 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). Some Web Designers have worked in fields other than computer science and acquired the necessary computer skills through work experience and professional development activities.
 
In Alberta, the following post-secondary institutions offer programs specifically related to website design:

� Academy of Learning, a private vocational school in Airdrie, Calgary, Edmonton, High River and Red Deer, offers a 43 week Web Designer program.
� Alberta Career Computer Centre a private vocational school in Edmonton, offers a 23  
� DevStudios, a private vocational school in Edmonton, offers 30 week programs e-Media and Design program and a 3D Animation and Digital Compositing program.
� Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton offers a two year Design and Digital Media diploma program with a specialization in interactive design and development.
� GURU Digital Arts College, a private vocational school in Edmonton, offers a two year Digital Arts and Media program.
� HCC Choice College, a private vocational school in Spruce Grove, offers a 25 week Graphic and Web Design program.
� Lethbridge College offers a two year Multimedia Production diploma program.
� Mount Royal College in Calgary 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 and Interactive Media Design diploma program. NAIT also offers Digital Imaging and Digital Publishing programs through Continuing Education.
� Red Deer College offers a 20 week Multimedia Web Developer certificate
� Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary offers a two year New Media Production and Design diploma program. 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.
� University of Calgary offers a WEB Designer program through Continuing Education.
� University of Lethbridge offers a four year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program specializing in New Media.

Certification Requirements
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

What kind of skills and experience do employers expect in a Web Designer?

Web Designers must be creative and possess excellent design and conceptual skills in combination with an in-depth knowledge of the technology and software applications used to create web pages. They need to be familiar with HTML, XML, JSP, CSS and similar web protocols as well as web-page and design applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash and InDesign. The ability to multitask and adapt to changing priorities and new technologies also is essential. Employers may require a bachelor�s degree in fine arts, graphic design or communications but are often interested in three or more years of design production experience and a strong portfolio of web designs.

� Think logically and concentrate for long periods of time
� Organize information effectively
� Pay attention to details to avoid time-consuming and therefore costly errors
� Remain patient and persistent when debugging programs
� Communicate ideas clearly in person and on paper
� Get along well with other team members.

Over 2,300 Albertans are employed in the Web Designers and Developers occupational group which is expected to grow 2.2 to 3.2 per cent each year from 2006 to 2011 in Alberta. It is forecasted that 50 to 80 new positions will be created each year in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

What kind of salary information can I utilize to help me with my job search?

According to the 2005 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Web Designers and Developers occupational group working part-time or full-time earned from $15,900 to $143,200 a year. The average salary was $60,600 a year.

What kinds of associations represent the Information Technology sector in Alberta?

Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS)
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) 
Calgary Technologies Inc.
Calgary Linux Users Group
Alberta Efuture Centre
TEC Edmonton
Business First
Deal Generator
Keiretsu Forum Calgary
Canadian Innovation Centre
IRAP
Canadian Commercial Corporation
NEWT
Wireless City
Banff Venture Forum
TRLabs
THECIS
ICORE
NETERA