Should a Web Designer Learn Programming?

Software development takes many forms, and today it’s especially challenging to keep up with all the developments in this field. It can be easy to fall behind modern trends if one is not careful, and this can sometimes lead to losses of productivity in areas where one least expects them. For example, web designers are commonly seen as a group of people who don’t need any specific programming skills, and many of them follow this idea in general. However, this can be a bad way to look at things, especially for those with more serious aspirations.

Better Flexibility and Compensation

One of the most obvious benefits to adding programming to your skillset is that it will make you a more attractive candidate on the job market. You’ll be able to ask for better compensation when you have more advanced skills to show for it, and it doesn’t matter if your goal is to work under an employer or take on separate contracts on a freelance basis – you’ll be seen as a better fit for the job at every corner, end of story. Of course, this also implies that you’ll take the time to actually learn the kind of programming that’s relevant to your specific job, not just any random language. But with sites like Programering.Com, making the right choice is usually trivial.

Automating Small Tasks

Learning something like Python takes relatively little time compared to other programming languages, and it can be a great tool in your asset if you constantly run into situations where you have to do small, repetitive tasks. Many of these jobs can practically be automated without too much effort if you simply know what tools to use, and this can shave off a huge chunk of your development time. That way, you’ll be able to optimize your schedule better and take on more new clients without having to worry about your ability to cope with the extra workload!

Easy Communication with Partners

Knowing a thing or two about programming is also useful for those who regularly have to work with partners on their projects, especially if those partners are the ones doing the backend development. You’ll no longer feel left out of the discussion every time something more technical comes up, and you may even be able to give some suggestions of your own, improving the workflow for everyone! You don’t even need to go that far in your learning in order to get into a situation like that; as long as you take the time to cover the basics and look up the roadmap ahead, you should have a pretty good understanding of most topics that could come up.

Don’t underestimate the viability of programming skills if you’re working in web development. Learning a thing or two outside of your general scope of skills can be a huge boost to your productivity, and it’s easily one of the best things you could do to make yourself a better candidate on the job market. Take the time to do it while you’re still growing in your field, as it will be more difficult later on.

Mars Cureg

Web designer by profession, photography hobbyist, T-shirt lover, design blog founder, gamer. Socially and physically awkward, lack of social skills, struggles to communicate with anyone who doesn't have a keyboard. Willing to walk to get to the promised land. Photo and video freelancer, SEO.