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Friday we had the first discussion [ro] about the webdesigner job. I think it’s the first time in Romania that an institution had the initiative to discuss about this job in the new media field. The debate was part of a Leonardo project that aims at establishing an European curriculum in webdesign.
The discussion on Friday didn’t pass over its preliminary phase, as the term „webdesigner” itself is disputed among academia and professionals. Participants made comparisons with the job descriptions for other professions, like „web developer”, „webmaster”, „graphic designer” etc.
All participants (people from IT companies, freelancers etc.) agreed that such debates are important, as Romania has a chance in establishing the standards in the field.
Representatives from partner countries will come soon to Bucharest, to bring conclusions from debates about other jobs in the new media segment.
A report will soon be published on the FJSC website.
Here is a job description in the webdesign in a post I found on the Web, just as an example of how one can perceive this profession:
Description of duties
1. To manage the overall visual quality and user experience of WHO web site:
– Overseeing all visual aspects of producing online content including layout, developing specifications, art directing, designing, critiquing, overseeing implementation and proofing and copyediting;
– Consulting with and advising departments in the development and maintenance of WHO sites so that they are visually appealing and user friendly;
– Contributing to Web Team’s evaluation of proposed new department sites. This includes giving design sign off required before new sites can be published;
– Participating along with the rest of the Web Team in reviews of WHO sub sites presentation to determine whether content on those sites could be presented differently;
– Working on design and layout for Web content during crisis or surge situations;
– Instructing departments in use of popular, standard image editing tools so that the images they produce for their sub sites are high quality and appropriate for the content.
– To liase with Regional and Country offices to improve the overall quality of their sites and to also help them brand them as their own and also have a visual link to the main WHO site.
2. To manage day-to-day design requirements of WHO corporate web site:
– Taking general responsibility of design of top three levels of the WHO web site;
– Coordinating image research and production for content for homepage and top three levels of WHO web site. Liaising with communications officers and departments to locate images and ensure that the ones chosen promote WHO’s message correctly;
– Determining whether new visual solutions are needed for new content added to top three levels of WHO web site;
– Coordinating involvement of team’s production resources in producing content for the top three levels of WHO web site;
– Assisting departments with design and layout questions they may have concerning their sub sites.
3. To develop visual solutions for different types of existing and new content for the WHO web site:
– Evaluating business needs, develop specifications, design, test and oversee implementation of new visual solutions at template and/or flat HTML level for displaying content;
– Design, or collaborate with external designers in Art Director capacity, for web projects which require completely different structure and layout from the rest of the WHO site. This includes Flash movie features, popup interactive galleries and applications design. This could involve working with outside designers, departments and various members of web team including business analyst, editor and producers;
– Contributing to creating documentation and the training of departments to use new designs on their sub sites in a way which will improve their site visually.
4. To develop and facilitate implementation and use of design guidelines for both WHO web site and additional WHO information products:
– Developing guidelines for visual style on WHO web site;
– Working with other WHO designers and communications officers to develop and disseminate policy and guidelines on use of WHO logo (emblem + words „World Health Organization”) in order to promote and strengthen identity of WHO;
– Working with team to disseminate guidelines.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education
University level education and courses in art, design, information architecture and web standards.
Competencies
Command of, and expertise in frequently used web publishing and development technologies such as Photoshop, HTML editors and content management systems. Good understanding of electronic media standards and trends. Team player. Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team. Ability to elaborate on strategic thinking behind design decisions to people with varied level of technical expertise.
Experience
Minimum of 5 years of experience in graphic design field, preferably in new media sector. Experience working in multilingual environment.
Minimum 3 years of experience in the UN system would be desirable.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English with a working knowledge of French.