Hey everyone! I'm currently working as a Front-End Web Designer for a sizable niche company that specializes in creating websites for car dealerships. The process I follow involves the client selecting a design from a set of options that I've crafted. After they choose, I create a mock-up using Photoshop or Figma, and once I get the green light from them, I customize the website by adjusting colors for ADA compliance and modifying buttons or sections where needed. I also pull content either from their previous site or based on what our SEO team has generated, and I handle the quality assurance as well. I'm curious to know if this role is typical in the industry and whether I should consider myself more of a designer or a developer? Additionally, what's the expected salary range for someone in my position? I've made several changes in my career to arrive at this role, and I'm just wondering how standard this is. Thanks in advance for your insights!
4 Answers
So, your role is primarily about customizing existing templates for new clients. That sounds more like WordPress development to me than pure front-end design or development.
You're definitely in the realm of web design. Using the title 'front-end web designer' is a bit like saying 'locomotive train conductor'—it’s implied. If your main focus is on creating the visual elements of a website, you're essentially doing design work.
That's true for my role! We collaborate as a team to build templates in Figma or Photoshop, and then we code the basics before customization based on client feedback. Seems I’m doing what’s typically two separate functions.
Honestly, 'front-end web designer' sounds a bit redundant to me. In the web development world, when you say 'web designer,' most people already think of the front-end. Based on what you've described, it seems like you’re more of a web designer/developer hybrid.
I get that now! After looking into it more, it does feel like I’m juggling two different roles.
Usually, if someone calls themselves a front-end developer, they’ll have experience with frameworks like React or Vue and handle HTML/CSS. As a designer, you'd be expected to create layouts from scratch rather than just tweaking templates.
I actually use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Bootstrap to meet client needs. We utilize a CMS tool called DNN, which is definitely more involved than something like WIX.
Absolutely! I customize using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Bootstrap. My work isn't starting from scratch for every website, but I do utilize various coding skills.