Web Designer Job Description
Hire a Web Designer who can turn briefs and brand guidelines into accessible, responsive website designs. Ideal candidates combine strong visual craft with practical knowledge of HTML/CSS and design tools, and can communicate clearly with developers and stakeholders.
What does a Web Designer professional do?
Looking for a Web Designer with a strong portfolio of responsive website work, practical front-end skills (HTML/CSS), and experience with modern design tools and accessibility best practice.
Web Designer job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Web Designer
About the role
[Company name] is seeking a Web Designer to create visually engaging, usable websites and landing pages for clients and internal products. You will produce wireframes, UI mockups and design assets, work with front-end developers to ensure designs are buildable, and help improve accessibility and performance. Portfolio of recent website work required. Location: [Location] | Salary: [Competitive / insert range].
Key responsibilities
- Translate briefs and brand guidelines into wireframes, high-fidelity mockups and design specifications for websites and landing pages
- Design responsive layouts and UI components that work across common screen sizes and browsers
- Collaborate with front-end developers to ensure designs are implemented accurately and perform well
- Prepare and hand over production-ready assets, style guides and component documentation
- Conduct basic user testing and iterate designs based on feedback and analytics
- Ensure designs follow accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and consider SEO-friendly structure
- Maintain an organised project folder structure and versioned design files
- Support multiple projects concurrently and meet agreed delivery milestones
Essential skills and experience
- A portfolio demonstrating recent, live website designs and UI work
- Proficiency in common design tools (for example Figma, Sketch or Adobe XD) and raster/vector tools
- Solid knowledge of HTML and CSS and how responsive layouts are built
- Good visual design skills: typography, layout, colour and iconography
- Experience producing wireframes, hi‑fi mockups and developer-ready assets
- Clear verbal and written communication; ability to present design decisions
Desirable
- Experience with design systems and component-based design
- Familiarity with basic JavaScript or front-end frameworks (for collaboration, not necessarily development)
- Understanding of WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design techniques
- Experience working in an agency or client-facing role
- Knowledge of SEO principles as they apply to content and site structure
- Version control or collaboration experience (eg Git, Abstract or Figma Libraries)
What we offer
- Competitive salary (insert range or band)
- Pension scheme (details to be provided)
- Flexible / hybrid working options
- Paid annual leave (insert entitlement) plus bank holidays
- Professional development budget and training opportunities
- Equipment and software allowances where required
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Web Designer role?
A Web Designer plans and creates the visual and interactive elements of websites, producing wireframes, mockups and production-ready assets. They work closely with developers to ensure designs are implemented responsively and accessibly, and use user feedback and analytics to refine interfaces. Web Designers balance creative craft with technical understanding of HTML/CSS and common build constraints.
Design focus
Visual design, UI components, typography and layout for web and responsive breakpoints.
Technical collaboration
Works with front-end developers; prepares HTML/CSS-friendly assets and style guidance.
Cross-functional
Interacts with product owners, developers, content and QA to deliver live pages.
Typical hours
Commonly full-time, often hybrid; flexible hours may be offered depending on employer policy.
Typical Web Designer responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Translate briefs
Translate briefs and brand guidelines into wireframes, high-fidelity mockups and design specifications for websites and landing pages
Design responsive layouts
Design responsive layouts and UI components that work across common screen sizes and browsers
Collaborate with front-end developers
Collaborate with front-end developers to ensure designs are implemented accurately and perform well
Prepare
Prepare and hand over production-ready assets, style guides and component documentation
Conduct basic user testing
Conduct basic user testing and iterate designs based on feedback and analytics
Ensure designs follow accessibility guidelines
Ensure designs follow accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and consider SEO-friendly structure
Maintain an organised project folder structure
Maintain an organised project folder structure and versioned design files
Support multiple projects concurrently
Support multiple projects concurrently and meet agreed delivery milestones
Web Designer skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- A portfolio demonstrating recent, live website designs and UI work
- Proficiency in common design tools (for example Figma, Sketch or Adobe XD) and raster/vector tools
- Solid knowledge of HTML and CSS and how responsive layouts are built
- Good visual design skills: typography, layout, colour and iconography
- Experience producing wireframes, hi‑fi mockups and developer-ready assets
- Clear verbal and written communication; ability to present design decisions
Useful where relevant
- Experience with design systems and component-based design
- Familiarity with basic JavaScript or front-end frameworks (for collaboration, not necessarily development)
- Understanding of WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design techniques
- Experience working in an agency or client-facing role
- Knowledge of SEO principles as they apply to content and site structure
- Version control or collaboration experience (eg Git, Abstract or Figma Libraries)
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Web Designer job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Lead with the portfolio
Ask applicants to supply a portfolio URL and two short case studies that explain the problem, your role, the approach and the measurable outcome (traffic, conversions or user feedback).
Be specific about the toolset
List primary design tools and any preferred collaboration workflows (Figma files, design systems, handover methods) so applicants know if they match.
Clarify expected coding knowledge
State whether you only need design-to-development handover knowledge (HTML/CSS familiarity) or whether the role requires front-end build skills.
Mention accessibility and analytics
Highlight if accessibility (WCAG), user testing or analytics-driven design are important; experienced candidates will include relevant examples.
Web Designer salary considerations
Salaries for Web Designers vary depending on experience, location and the technical breadth required. Rather than a single market figure, consider these key factors when setting a salary band.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Web Designer candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What level of front‑end coding is expected?
Experienced candidates will want to know if the role requires building templates, just handover-ready assets, or pairing with developers for implementation.
Is the role remote, hybrid or office-based?
State the working model, any required days in the office and whether equipment or home-office support is provided.
Can I use client work in my portfolio?
Clarify whether applicants may show live client work or need permission to share examples; request alternate case studies if necessary.
Who will I be working with?
Describe the immediate team (developers, product managers, other designers) and reporting line to help candidates assess fit.
What is the typical hiring process and timeline?
Outline stages (CV/portfolio review, design task or work sample, interviews) and approximate timescales so candidates know what to expect.
Where to post a Web Designer job
Web Designer vacancies reach different audiences depending on whether the role is creative (visual/UI focus), technical (front-end) or client-facing (agency). Use a mix of broad UK job boards and specialist design channels, plus professional networks such as design communities, LinkedIn and portfolio sites. If hiring locally, include regional channels and university design course boards to attract early-career talent.
Related digital / creative job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Web Designer job description FAQs
Should I make a degree essential for Web Designer roles?
No. Many successful web designers are self-taught or have bootcamp credentials. Prefer practical evidence: a strong portfolio and demonstrable skills are more important than a degree.
How should I assess a candidate’s portfolio?
Look for recent live examples, clarity on the designer’s role in each project, before/after explanations, and measurable impact where available. Ask for case studies rather than image galleries alone.
Do I need to set a test or a design task?
A short, relevant take-home task or reviewing an applicant’s past work is useful. Keep tasks time-boxed and closely aligned to real responsibilities to avoid unnecessary burden on candidates.
What accessibility expectations are reasonable?
Expect familiarity with core WCAG principles and practical application (colour contrast, semantic markup guidance, keyboard navigation). Deeper auditing or remediation can be a specialist responsibility.
Can I hire a Web Designer on a freelance basis?
Yes. Freelancers are common for project work, rebrands or short-term sprints. For ongoing product work, consider a permanent hire or long-term contractor to retain design consistency.
Ready to hire a Web Designer?
Use this template to create your advert, collect portfolios and shortlist candidates. When you’re ready, post the vacancy across targeted channels or contact our team for multi-board distribution support.
