The digital world is ever-evolving, and so are the careers that support it. One such career is web design. The question often arises, “Is web design a full-time job?” The short answer is – Yes, it can be, but it also offers the flexibility to be a part-time or freelance job.
A Day in the Life of a Web Designer
Web design is a creative field involving the design of websites. So, what does a web designer do on a daily basis? They create visually appealing sites, ensuring user-friendly design and clear navigation. This involves understanding both graphic design and computer programming. Once a website is created, a designer helps with additions to the website such as on-brand graphics.
Sometimes the designer of business’s website is also the designer of the brand’s logo and overall brand identity design system. If that is the case, they may operate like a traffic cop telling the business what they can and cannot do with additions to their website.
How Many Hours Do Web Designers Work?
The amount of time a web designer spends working can vary greatly depending on whether they are employed full-time, part-time, or freelance. A typical full-time web designer schedule is generally 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, deadlines might require occasional extra hours in the evenings or on weekends. It’s usually project indicative, which comes back to the business you’re working for and their project management, business needs, and more.
Freelance web designers have the flexibility to set their own hours, but this also means they might find themselves working outside traditional hours to meet client expectations. One of the hardest things to do as a freelancer is just simply saying “no” to your clients.
Salary Expectations and Benefits
As for a web designer’s salary, it varies based on experience, location, and the complexity of the work. In addition to a competitive salary, full-time web designers often receive benefits not typically available to freelance or part-time workers. These may include health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, and retirement plans.
Full-Time vs Freelance
More than 80 percent of American Web Developers are employed full-time, indicating a strong market for full-time work. Full-time positions tend to offer more stability and structured work hours compared to freelance work. That said, some designers enjoy the flexibility and independence of freelance work, despite the less predictable workflow and potential for irregular hours.
So, is web design a full-time job? It certainly can be, and for many people, it is. But the beauty of web design is its flexibility, allowing designers to work part-time or freelance if they prefer. Regardless of how you choose to work, web design is a dynamic and rewarding field with plenty of opportunities for those with a passion for creating user-friendly, attractive websites.