The Evolution Of Web Design
If we talk about technology, things happen very fast, every year we have new models of smartphones, and applications are born and die every day to make our lives easier. The evolution of web design has been no different. Since the creation of the first website, until today the changes are abysmal. And the most interesting thing of all is that this evolution is constant.
So if you are interested in web design, we will take you on a brief tour through the history of web design, which is now close to reaching its third decade.
Chronology
Over time, the needs and ways to solve the difficulties that have arisen in the world of web design have changed. However, the fixed bet has always been to evolve towards the user experience. Evolve so that the user can have an easy and intuitive experience when browsing the internet.
(1989) The beginning. The dark age of web design
It all starts in the 1990s, known as the dark ages for web design. In its beginnings, web design was based on black screens with monochrome pixels that gave it a touch of color. Simply put, there was no such thing as web design, as text dominated the screen.
Around 1991, the first “World Wide Web” web page was published by Tim Berners-Lee, an English physicist considered one of the great creators of the web. The sole purpose of this website was to inform what the World Wide Web (or global computer network) was. Today, more than 27 years later, we can guarantee that its uses have undoubtedly multiplied, and that the evolution of web design is more active than ever.
Design with tables from 1995
The invention of browsers that allowed images to be displayed represented the first step in the evolution of web design itself. The tables arrived to give order to the content, being the way that allowed mixing static and fluid designs, through tables within tables.
Somehow the tables were the starting point of what is today the responsive design.
For a long time the table method was the most used to design web pages. And somehow this produced a separation between design and development. While the designers were creating the layouts, the developers were looking for a way to make it work, managing the information in different elements.
JavaScript. 1995
JavaScript came to solve several of the limitations of HTML. And it was with its appearance that web design gained dynamism. However, one of the most commented issues as a point against it is that it slows down the loading of the page.
While many now shy away from JavaScript to solve questions that can be done using CSS, it’s still going strong on both the front-end and back-end. Being the front-end that is related to what is seen on a website. While the back-end ensures that the correct data is sent to the browser and creates the functionality of the system.
The era of Flash, and the freedom of design. 1996
Flash arrived and was impressed with the possibility of visual effects, breaking the barriers that existed in web design at the time. It was the dream fulfilled through a single tool. With a file that is sent to the browser to be displayed.
This era marked a milestone, but over time it became clear that the effects and interactions were not open to searches that index HTML, in addition to consuming processing power. This made it lose strength over time.
The rise of CSS. 1998
This language became popular with a proposal that separates the content from the form of presentation. That is to say, that in HTML the content works, while in CSS the format and appearance are defined.
The CSS went through a process of evolution that took several years to achieve its best results. At the beginning, the visualization varied depending on the browser, which made the developer’s activity difficult.
The web 2.0. 2003
The era of user-based information begins, and web 2.0 becomes popular along with social networks and blogs.
With more visually pleasing interfaces and high usability, we entered a more evolved phase of web design, in which both users and search engines began to be thought of. The focus on the browsing experience through the use of web design.
Grid and framework design. 2007
The arrival of mobile design.
Web design saw the need to evolve with the arrival of smartphones. From this moment it was necessary to generate versions of the site based on the size of the screen. And this was possible through the use of grids and framework. It was a very important challenge.
The first improvement was with the idea of columns, until the grid system was defined with a division into 12 columns as the system that is used until today.
Responsive design. 2010
From the year 2010 onwards, arriving towards the year 2012, the last great change in web design appears. The responsive or adaptive design came to solve the size conflict of the different screens of smart devices.
With the same content (a single website), but with different designs depending on the size of the device, a way was found to present the information in a more friendly way to the user. In this way it is possible to use images that occupy the full width of the screen, and it opens the way to minimalist web design with a simpler and cleaner appearance. In other words, the content once again gains prominence.
With these changes, a flatter design has been privileged, returning to the roots that put content in the first place, leaving shadow effects behind and returning to photography, typography and line details. Simplicity hand in hand with practicality.
Somehow it would seem that in a more evolved way the cycle returns to its beginnings. But like any process, it is constantly changing and possibly in the not too distant future the conception of web design continues to surprise us with changes and innovations. It is even estimated that the changes and the evolution of the devices will continue to influence the world of design, since we depend on them as a means to expose the sites. And if the devices change, the web design must accompany them.
Mobile First
It is common to confuse Mobile first with responsive design. Although they have the objective of improving the browsing experience on mobile devices, they do not mean the same thing. In fact, its structure and form of creation is very different.
When we talk about Mobile First, we mean that the creation of the website is thought and carried out first for mobile devices, and then it is adapted for desktop.
Present
With the evolution of web design, nowadays it is not necessary to be an expert to create a page. Site builders are currently in vogue as practical tools for building websites from templates and with the ability to add components to customize the website.
WordPress, in 2018 also released the new Gutenberg editor, made up of blocks, making the process of designing and creating websites much easier. Also, 3D design and the mastery of vector graphics at a more advanced level have gained a lot of strength. And you, how do you think the evolution of web design will continue?
We leave you a synthesis with the main data of evolution. And we will have to wait to find out how the story will continue. The truth is that the road will surely continue in constant transformation and progress.
Why is web development a good career?
The main reasons why web development is considered a great career is because it is a promising profession and the pay scale is high, but there are many other reasons. Below, we discuss the reasons why web development is an interesting career.
Job Outlook in Web Development
The sector is experiencing phenomenal growth and is in dire need of new professionals. Its growth is 13%, and it is projected to be well above the average growth rate of 8% for all occupations over the next decade.
Earning Potential in Web Development Careers
There are many career opportunities in web development and language-specific jobs like Python developers, Ruby developers, and Java developers. Salaries for these positions typically range from $100,000 to $130,000 per year, depending on location and level of experience. This figure is roughly double the median salary in the United States, which was just over €56,000 in 2020.
Other benefits of the web developer career
There are countless other reasons why web development is a great career choice:
- It is an exciting field where developers can use their creativity to tackle coding challenges and create attractive websites.
- Web developers have flexible career options and can work in a wide variety of industries, including education, manufacturing, retail, marketing, government, hospitality, finance, construction, and entertainment.
- There is a vibrant community of programmers who support each other and help each other out in times of need.
- Many web developers claim to be satisfied with their career.
Qualifications to work in web development
The main qualification required for web development is the ability to program, but the programming language used depends on the type of developer (front-end, back-end or full-stack). For Front-end developers, a thorough understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential.
Full-stack web developers should also learn at least two back-end languages, such as Python, Java, Ruby, or PHP, in addition to these front-end languages.
Other technical requirements for web development include code testing and debugging, as well as knowledge of using version control software and other major development tools like Git, VS Code, Node Package Manager (npm), and Chrome Developer Tools. Developers must also know the use of the most popular libraries and Frameworks in their area of expertise.
There are also some essential soft skills that are looked for in web development applicants. For example, concentration, attention to detail, and perseverance in the face of problems are some of the essential skills for web developers.