Digital Designer
A Digital Designer’s job is to ensure that the visual appearance and layout of digital platforms – websites, apps, email templates, banner adverts, mobile products etc. – creates the best possible brand perception and online experience.
Typically a Digital Designer (sometimes still referred to as a Web Designer or Interactive Designer) works closely with other members of the client services, design and marketing teams to bring brand communications to life online. The best digital designers combine a keen brand and commercial awareness, with natural creative flair, in order to create work that is both in line with brand guidelines and that creates stand out in their respective industry sector.
The full scope of a Digital Desinger’s role will vary depending on the size of the team they work in. In larger creative teams, they will take sitemaps and wireframes from UX Designers and then design the visual elements. In smaller teams, they will be responsible for taking the initial brief, developing ideas, wireframes and then taking these through to final, pixel perfect, design.
Given the popularity of mobile devices, Digital Designers must have experience in creating effective user experience and journeys across all desktop, mobile and tablet devices – responsive, cross-browser design experience is therefore essential.
As with traditional graphic design roles, a digital designer will be expected to have strong skills with all common Adobe products – Photoshop in particular – plus they may also have strengths with Fireworks and Dreamweaver.
Whilst Digital Designers won’t be expected to be an expert, experience/knowledge of front-end coding languages such as HTML and CSS are extremely valuable, so that you know how designs are implemented and any pitfalls that could be encountered.
Salary wise outside of London the role generally pays between £30,000 to £45,000 depending on regional variance and level of experience.
Exeter
Based in Devon, Exeter is a cathedral city on the River Exe. Exeter was once a religious centre in the 11th century after Exeter Cathedral was built. Previously a rich manufacturer of wool, the city centre has been revitalised in recent years and is now a modern business hub.
