In this certificate program, you will become a well-rounded Web Designer and learn to design webpages, code them with HTML & CSS, and JavaScript, and build websites with WordPress, allowing you to create a diverse portfolio to showcase your skills to potential employers or clients.
Learn the skills to become a UX/UI Designer. This course covers design concepts, industry tools like Figma, and research methodologies. Get career-focused training, build a portfolio, and receive one-on-one mentoring and prepare for a career in UX/UI design.
Gain the skills and knowledge to become a Full Stack Developer and meet the growing demand for professionals who can develop and maintain web applications. This project-oriented course teaches you how to code websites from scratch, and you'll build a portfolio of working web applications to showcase to potential employers.
Learn front-end web development with HTML & CSS, and JavaScript, and gain skills in building responsive websites for any screen size. Additionally, learn how to use WordPress, the world's leading content management system, to create customizable websites and edit content without coding experience.
Start learning Figma for UI/UX design. Gain a solid understanding of its capabilities, from creating files, to designing on a grid, working with text/photos/colors, creating components, building prototypes, exporting assets, sharing files, creating animations, and more.
Discover the essence of UX Design. From UX vs. UI to usability testing and prototyping, delve into the intricacies of user experience design. Gain practical skills in research, wireframing, and more. Elevate your design game with this comprehensive course.
The web design field combines creative and technical skills that let people build websites that look as good as they operate. It’s about putting numerous elements together to form one coherent, appealing interface such as the layout, fonts, colors, navigational features, and other aspects that make a website engaging and user-friendly. A Web Designer is tasked with considering this design process from top to bottom. They work to make a website easy to use and ensure the experience is pleasant for the user. Additionally, they’re concerned with the information architecture, the branding materials, and maintaining high traffic to the website. Whether it’s a personal blog, an online shop, or a learning platform, web design helps brands get their message across and keeps users coming back to use the services or purchase the products.
Web design has a relatively interesting history, especially as the internet has continued to evolve. Back in the 90s, when computers were just gaining prominence in the work and personal spheres, websites were relatively basic. They were mostly text-based, with minimal visual elements and navigational features. However, in the 2000s and 2010s, the internet exploded and thus came more engaging, visually appealing, and interactive websites. Programming languages, graphic design features, and the overall user experience became essential to the web design space. In the future, web design could go in numerous directions, especially with the addition of artificial intelligence (AI). For web design pros to continue creating worthwhile websites, they will have to stay on top of trends and figure out what makes users stay loyal to a webpage.
With web design training, you can dive into all kinds of opportunities, including both professional and personal. Nowadays, almost every business has a website since most consumers turn to the internet to search for goods and services. As such, Web Design experts can find a job in nearly every industry. With the right training, you could work in tech, finance, healthcare, retail, education, and even for non-profit groups. No matter what route you choose, you will find that there is a unique approach to each website for the respective industry. The options are virtually endless, so there’s plenty you can do with web design training.
Moreover, once you have the preferred skill set, you can jump into a variety of projects all at once. This can be done through working as a freelance Web Designer. You might work for several companies at once, all needing different kinds of websites with specific designs. You can work on ecommerce sites, landing pages, blogs, or social media sites. Moreover, you can join in on further learning opportunities by taking classes, bootcamps, or pursuing certificates. Here, you’ll get hands-on practice and hone your craft while further developing your professional portfolio. This could lead to even more job opportunities as well as networking events.
On top of professional uses, web design can come in handy for personal endeavors. For example, maybe you are planning an event such as a wedding. You can design a website where everyone can easily RSVP and search for the registry. After the event, it’s a great place to share photos and videos so everyone can remember the fun. On the other hand, you can use your web design skills to help showcase a hobby or even start a side hustle. For example, if you’re into crafting such as mosaics, candle-making, or knitting, you could make a website to share your designs and creations. If it takes off, you could also start an ecommerce page to help friends, family, and other craftspeople purchase your art. You could also use your skills for good—if your community suffers a crisis such as a natural disaster, making a website enables folks to donate, sign up for volunteer work, and share information with others. In short, web design is incredibly useful beyond the professional sphere.
In a typical web design class, you will learn numerous valuable skills that are essential to the job. While each class has its own unique focus, you can expect to cover some common ground. For example, you will dive into the relevant programming languages and design software that are needed to design and develop great websites. Plus, you will learn how to incorporate visual design skills and work in alignment with user experience design concepts. Moreover, you may touch on search engine optimization to ensure that your website gains considerable traffic and viewership.
Most web design classes will teach or use basic programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These are some of the most commonly used programming languages in general, but especially for web design. HTML is used to structure the content whereas CSS styles it. JavaScript is used to make webpages more interactive, which can help you improve the overall user experience. Using these languages is essential, so it is without question that most web design classes will touch upon these in some form. These languages give you the ability to customize the design, troubleshoot any issues, and include necessary elements that increase the functionality of the page. Having a solid grasp of these languages is necessary so the developers can bring your design to life and so the user can navigate and utilize the page as intended.
Learning web design software such as Adobe XD, Figma, Sketch, and InVision is also necessary to become a competent Web Designer; therefore, many web design classes focus on using these applications or teaching these applications individually. These tools allow you to create wireframes and prototypes, collaborate with others in your department, and refine your designs before they become reality. Mastering design software not only helps make your work easier but also enhances your ability to effectively convey the purpose behind your designs. For example, the difference between an ecommerce platform is entirely different from that of an informational website, and the design should signify that. Regardless of the industry or field that you work in, these applications are necessary for producing high-quality websites that meet the standards of the brand and the user.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a skill that many marketing and web design professionals learn because it ensures that your website will rank higher on search engine results. This increases the organic traffic that comes to your page and helps with other aspects too such as consumer loyalty, brand recognition, and profits. By understanding SEO principles and techniques, you can design webpages that are not only visually appealing but also easy to find. In a sea of search results, it can be challenging to make your webpage stand out among all the rest. However, with proper SEO, you will be able to create webpages that attract the intended audience and lead to increased user engagement.
User Experience (UX) design refers to how web design professionals can provide a seamless, positive experience for the user. By learning UX design principles, you can better understand how users interact with the websites you design and therefore make more well-informed decisions about information architecture, navigation, and visual elements. All of this ensures that users can easily find the information they are looking for and can interact with the interface in an easy-to-understand way. A strong focus on UX design not only boosts overall user satisfaction but also contributes to the viewership, profits, and consumer loyalty to the brand.
Mastering visual design principles is essential to any web design professional, as it involves creating webpages that are aesthetically pleasing and operate as they should. This may include understanding the importance of hierarchy or information architecture. Moreover, you may focus on balance, contrast, and alignment. Even elements such as typography and color scheme play a huge role in not only how the user will view the webpage, but how easily they will be able to read the website material and navigate the interface. By applying visual design principles, you are helping the brand stay true to its ethos and helping the user have a pleasant experience while using the website. Ultimately, understanding these principles is essential for building a strong brand identity and making a lasting impression.
Learning web design can be a little challenging depending on who you ask. It mostly depends on your background and interests. For many who are already in the tech scene, web design practices may be pretty easy. They may already have skills in programming, digital design, or certain software that would make learning web design far less challenging. Getting a handle on the basics may be easier as well, but becoming an expert will take more effort. However, with time and patience, any new skill becomes easier, so learning web design is more than doable for the average person.
One of the trickiest parts of learning web design is balancing the technical skills with the creative aspects. Some people are more inclined to one over the other, so ensuring you try to sharpen both skill sets is necessary. For beginners, programming might be the hardest part. Even though most Web Design experts use coding languages that are considered beginner-friendly or easier to learn, it can still be challenging. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are frequently used for web design, so these could be difficult depending on previous experience and comfort level. Moreover, User Experience (UX) design concepts can be difficult, particularly if you are not used to conducting research, developing user personas, or testing your prototypes. Above all else, troubleshooting and problem-solving can stump even the most expert-level Web Designers, so it’s important to stay focused and confident while approaching design issues or technical errors. Still, the good news is that all these challenges become easier with time.
The time it takes to learn web design mostly depends on elements specific to you. Specifically, your previous experience, comfort with technology, learning method, and end goals will factor into your time spent learning web design. If you have studied relevant subjects and fields, or have experience using a particular web design tool, you may pick up on web design much quicker. If you’re taking short courses, your learning journey may take longer or be more spread out compared to if you enroll in a bootcamp or certificate program. Still, there are considerations with this method too. If you enroll in a part-time program, this will likely take a few weeks to a few months. Comparatively, a full-time program can take just a few weeks or even a few days. All in all, consider why you’re learning web design to begin with. If you are just learning the basics, you will spend less time studying than if you want to become a professional and work in a Web Design position.
Web design is a worthwhile pursuit, no matter what learning method you choose. However, some are more effective than others, and each has benefits and disadvantages. Keep in mind that your learning method will shape your experience and help you reach your goals. Some may fit your schedule, whereas others won’t. For example, in-person classes offer a more traditional experience that most people are used to. This also gives you more hands-on interaction as you’ll be able to interact with the instructor, your peers, and the material. This makes it easier to get feedback and know if you’re on the right track. Plus, you’ll feel more supported studying with like-minded folks. However, in-person classes require a commute, so it’s important you have ample time and reliable transportation. If that works for you, in-person classes are an ideal way to learn.
However, this isn’t always possible for some. If you have a tight schedule, live in a more rural area, lack transportation, or just prefer alternative learning styles, you still have options. You can enroll in a live online course where you’ll still participate in hands-on activities and learn from an experienced professional. Plus, you’ll have virtual peers to lean on for support. You can still get answers to questions and some feedback on your work too. This option is great for anyone who has a busy schedule and needs the flexibility to learn from home, the office, or anywhere else. Additionally, if the nearest training center is too far away, you can still reap all the benefits of their program. Of course, you will need a strong internet connection, which isn’t always guaranteed, as technical difficulties are hard to predict. Still, live online classes are a great option.
Then there’s asynchronous learning, which can be a great fit depending on your needs. This method offers more flexibility than any other since you will be tasked with making your schedule. However, you’ll also be tasked with teaching yourself the material—there are no instructors and no classmates to ask for help or gain more insight from. While asynchronous learning can help you gain discipline and time management skills, you might miss the interaction and therefore have trouble learning. Plus, without an instructor, it’s harder to troubleshoot errors or know where you’re at with your web design skill progress. This method is helpful for current Web Design professionals who may need to refresh their skills. It may also be useful for someone who just needs to learn the basics. However, if you want to become a professional Web Designer, you will need more hands-on interaction from an in-person or live online course.
You can pick up basic web design skills online from various free resources but don’t expect this to be sufficient for professional development. There are plenty of resources to help you get started such as websites, blogs, social media pages, discussion boards, and video tutorials. You can explore Noble Desktop’s YouTube channel which has playlists and videos centered around topics like web design or relevant tools. You could also seek guidance from experts in the web design field who have started social media accounts meant for sharing their experiences. In addition, you could also explore free courses on platforms such as Coursera, but these are not always updated and accurate. Investing in a comprehensive training program is the best way to gain a professional-level education as you’ll receive expert instruction, hands-on exposure, and direct interaction. This is worth considering before you decide to opt for free resources over a course.
When you start studying web design, you will likely learn—or want to learn—topics and tools beyond just the basic web design skills. For instance, you may want to dive deeper into UX design, which is certainly related to or part of web design. This skill helps you create more user-friendly interfaces and make your websites even more suitable for development. Knowing how to conduct user research and usability testing can be advantageous as well. By gaining web design skills with an emphasis on UX design, you may stand out more in the job search as well.
Another great area to explore is the software that makes the job easier. Adobe Creative Cloud is a great place to start. Many web design classes will teach Figma or Sketch, but some may not cover applications like Photoshop, After Effects, and Illustrator. These can help create more intricate and visually appealing images, icons, logos, and other design elements. Plus, getting familiar with motion graphics and animation can help broaden your skill set and help you branch out into other fields if you are interested. These skills can help you incorporate animations, transitions, and other dynamic design elements.
Web design is an essential part of any business, which means Web Designers can work in nearly every industry. Each has its own distinct focus and set of needs. Plus, in a growing city like Houston, several key sectors depend heavily on skilled Web Design professionals. From aviation and healthcare to technology and manufacturing, Web Designers can help businesses connect easily with their audience, enhance operations, market effectively, and increase profits. Continue reading to learn more about web design in Houston and how you can become a professional in any of these industries.
The aviation industry includes all aspects of air travel, including airlines, airports, and aerospace manufacturers. It involves the operation of passenger and cargo flights as well as maintenance, development, and related technologies. This sector is essential for creating a global connection between countries and for making great strides in space travel. It is also tightly bound with the economy as cargo planes are essential for providing goods between locations. Without a strong aviation industry, an area likely does not have as many tourism, retail, or hospitality opportunities as well.
In Houston, the aviation industry is significant due to the city’s ties to the Johnson Space Center, the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and many notable companies such as Airbus, Axiom Space, Bristow Group, InTech Aerospace, and Oceaneering. Web design serves a vital purpose in this industry as passengers need well-functioning and nicely designed websites to book and track flights as well as access customer support. Moreover, effective web design improves the accessibility and usability for travelers but also helps these companies communicate more effectively with one another and their consumers.
People will always need healthcare providers, and as such, it is a strong and wide-ranging industry. It covers a wide range of services, including hospitals, private practices, insurance companies, med spas, and other health-related retailers. The services they provide are mostly aimed at promoting, maintaining, and restoring the health of the patient or the community at large. This industry is focused heavily on patient care, health research, and HealthTech, which improves patient outcomes and makes providing medical care far less stressful for both the patient and the provider.
The Houston healthcare sector is a major contributor to the economic landscape. Texas Medical Center is a world-renowned hospital located in the downtown Houston area, in addition to other hospitals such as Methodist Hospital and St. Luke’s Health. There are also numerous HealthTech companies such as IMO Health, Alcon, LivaNova, and Westlake Chemical Corporation. Each of these organizations hires Web Design experts to develop websites that are engaging and accessible. They ensure patient portals are easy to use so patients can access their health records, schedule appointments, and receive healthcare resources. Well-designed websites can make accessing healthcare less scary for the patient and will build trust in the community through enhanced communication and streamlined access.
Technology refers to anything from software development, cybersecurity, IT solutions, hardware manufacturing, and new tech devices like smart home equipment, video games, and cell phones. It also encompasses emerging technologies like AI, which can be integrated into all kinds of products, from televisions to cars. The industry is essential in driving innovation and providing advancements that help industries across the board improve their business processes and advance in their own right. They also help consumers in numerous ways, ranging from communications and time management to budgeting and healthcare.
Houston has a rapidly growing tech scene, with numerous tech companies popping up every year. This includes some nationwide and localized companies such as BMC Software, HP Enterprise, Microsoft, PwC, SAP LeanIX, Indeed Flex, and Aspen Technology. Web design plays a crucial role in this industry since many consumers take to the internet to find goods and services. Moreover, a user-friendly website can help make the software more intuitive, help landing pages become more effective for Digital Marketers, and provide customer support. A well-designed website pleases the consumer but also helps tech companies communicate their ethos, attract new clients, and maintain a loyal customer base.
The production of goods through the use of human labor, machines, software, and other tools is what helps develop the manufacturing industry into what it is. In addition, this can involve numerous products and items such as consumer products, machine parts, or advanced manufacturing technologies. Without a strong manufacturing industry, many other industries would collapse as they rely on manufacturers to create their products such as something as simple as a toothbrush, or at least the processes that help them create products on their own such as automotive parts for a new car.
Some of the most notable manufacturing employers in Houston include Alcon, Emerson, Goya Foods, Daikin North America, and Oracle. Manufacturing plays a significant role in this region, particularly in connection to the technology, healthcare, and aerospace industries. Manufacturers need Web Designers to create websites that showcase their products or offer retailers more information about their services. In addition, this may include offering ecommerce opportunities for companies and consumers alike. Effective web design can also make the supply chain far less difficult to manage such as by offering resources, catalogs, and online support.
With a web design education, you can find all kinds of unique and profitable jobs—across many industries as well. Houston is an especially thriving place for tech-based fields as well, so there are many job openings available. Below are just a few jobs you could seek out as a Web Design professional.
With web design training, you can jump right in to become a Web Designer. This job role focuses on creating the overall look and layout of the website. They use design principles and coding skills, with languages such as HTML and CSS, to create visually appealing and user-friendly websites. Their work shapes how a website functions and how users interact with it. According to Glassdoor, Web Designers in the Houston area earn an average salary of nearly $65,000, but the range can be anywhere from $49,000 to $86,000. However, there are ways to earn additional pay, typically ranging anywhere from $9,000 to $17,000.
A User Experience (UX) Designer concentrates on improving the user experience of a website or application. They often conduct research to gain further insight into user needs and will test their designs regularly to ensure they are aligned with the company’s brand and the user’s expectations. This role is a critical aspect of web design and ensures everyone has a pleasant experience and outcome. UX Designers can earn a relatively lucrative salary in the Houston area, according to data compiled from Indeed. The average is close to $123,000, which makes this city one of the highest-paying cities for these professionals to live.
If you become a Graphic Designer, you will create visual content for various mediums, including websites. This means you’ll design the branding and marketing materials such as logos, icons, and banners. These professionals often focus heavily on design principles such as typography, color schemes, hierarchy, and balance. In web design, they will provide the visual elements to enhance the site’s overall look and feel. Glassdoor also indicates that Houston-based Graphic Designers can earn nearly $58,000 on average, but could realistically expect anywhere from $45,000 to $74,000. This does not factor in additional pay through means such as bonuses, commissions, and profit shares.
A Digital Designer focuses on a broad range of digital products, including websites. They combine their skills in Graphic Design, UX Design, and Web Design to produce the best product, ensuring that it is engaging, visually appealing, and organized. Their work overlaps heavily with web design as they craft interactive elements, graphics, and layouts for many kinds of online platforms. Digital Designers in Houston can expect to take home roughly $60,000 each year, but the range can be far higher, even surpassing the six-digit range, per reports from Indeed.
Noble Desktop offers a Web Design Certificate that dives into the essential tools and technologies such as WordPress, Figma, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also learn front-end development, UI design, and Bootstrap. Throughout the 162-hour course, you will complete projects rooted in realistic web design practices and develop a professional portfolio that helps with the job search. You will learn how to add dynamic features such as animations and feel more confident developing interactive prototypes. All in all, you will leave with the skills and portfolio to enter the workforce as well as a certificate to prove all your hard work.
If you specifically want to learn UX and UI design, Noble Desktop also has a UX and UI Design Certificate. Noble offers this 132-hour course where you will study everything from user research and prototyping in Figma to case studies and usability testing. You will also use visual design principles to make well-received designs and learn to present your work to others. You’ll receive additional mentoring, a certificate of completion, and resume assistance as well.
They also host bootcamps and short courses. Their Figma Bootcamp covers UI and UX design, team libraries, and designs on grids. In addition, you will learn how to work on websites just as much as mobile applications and tablets. You will build prototypes, make animations, and use components to make updating your design less challenging. After 12 hours of instruction, you will feel more qualified to use Figma for prototyping different projects such as ecommerce platforms for retail sites.
General Assembly’s 12-week UX Design Bootcamp is offered in Houston and helps you start your UX design career. You’ll learn how to increase user loyalty through different Agile methodologies and will even cover UI design concepts. Moreover, you’ll complete solo, group, and client-based projects that can be added to your professional portfolio.
In addition, you may want to learn certain applications for web design such as those within Adobe Creative Cloud. At Ledet Training, you can enroll in the three-day Adobe Creative Cloud Web 501 course. You’ll learn Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks, all of which are useful for web design. You will learn real-world techniques for developing interactive, well-designed websites. In particular, you’ll work with vector graphics, retouching, panel groups, and HTML and CSS starter pages.
Perhaps you want to explore bootcamps at Rice University Bootcamps, located on Main Street in Houston. They host a UX/UI Bootcamp that spans 24 weeks and gives you enough skills to become a UX/UI design professional. You’ll learn about information architecture, research practices, and persona development. Moreover, you’ll use tools like Adobe XD, InVision, and Google Slides to create wireframes and prototypes. You will also practice using JavaScript, Bootstrap, and other coding tools. Access to career coaching and planning helps you enter the workforce with much fewer stress.
DigitalCrafts offers a full-time UX Design course that spans 14 weeks and covers user-centric design practices in its entirety. You can work on numerous projects that give you more realistic experience with the field and will help you prepare for the job search by adding these projects to your professional portfolio.
Suppose you have considered enrolling your web design team in corporate training to improve workplace relations, boost morale, and increase productivity. In that case, you can explore all the different comprehensive training options at Noble Desktop. You can find training in different subjects, tools, and techniques that help your web design team utilize their skills to the maximum capacity. This is a fantastic idea as it allows everyone to learn the same material at the same time so no one feels behind on their skills. You can explore in-person training, which provides a hands-on and engaging learning experience for all involved, or live online training, where your group will participate in instructor-led training from anywhere.
Beyond the many benefits of corporate training, Noble Desktop offers additional reasons to enroll. For example, these corporate training sessions can be customized to suit your group’s needs. If you want to focus on a specific aspect of web design such as UX design or Figma, you can do so with the help of an experienced instructor. Additionally, your team will have the option to buy discounted vouchers in bulk for attendance in regular classes, giving everyone the opportunity to learn even more. If you have considered elevating your team's abilities and growing closer, contact Noble Desktop at corporate@nobledesktop.com to learn more about scheduling, pricing, and learning options.
Tess Robinson is a content writer for Noble Desktop and an experienced writing professor. With a background in various genres and mediums, she specializes in technology topics, including web design. Tess is passionate about expanding her expertise and guiding others as they learn more about the design and technology landscape.