How to Become a Front End Developer in Australia

A Front End Developer creates, adjusts and programmes the visual identity of a website, based on the chosen design. They also prepare images and texts, linking them in specific ways and adjusting them to fit user needs. Basically, they are responsible for what you see when visiting a website. A good Front End Developer will not stray far from the planned design, finding ways to code the website and make it functional according to the design guidelines.

Every feature on a website, from links and buttons to categories and texts, is built by a Front End Developer. They are the people who make the design come to life, implementing it using different coding languages.

Are you interested in what makes a website tick? Maybe you’re fascinated by various programming languages that are in use? Do you consider yourself persistent and responsible? If you, this career choice might be right for you! Here is a simple guide on how to become a Front End Developer.

Step 1: Try your Hand at Things

If you think you’d like to become a Front End Developer but are unsure of where to start - pick up a few books, sit at your computer and start trying. It really is as simple as that. It’s recommended that you start by mastering HTML and CSS. Once you’ve done that, you can try to set up a website. JavaScript is also a great choice!

Step 2: Consider a Programming Course

Alternatively, take a look into attending a course designed to help you get where you want to go. Sometimes people find it difficult to get started without getting some professional pointers. Luckily, there are hundreds of courses that will teach you all the necessary skills and coding languages you need to know. Most often, you will be building a website during these courses, but that shouldn’t stop you from practising on your own.

Alternatives to Steps 1 & 2: Study an IT Course

If you’re willing to put in the time and get a broader skill set, as well as more theoretical knowledge, consider getting a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. Various specialities will prepare you for different jobs, and you will have enough time to learn how to apply everything you’ve learned.

Step 3: Get Some Experience

Employers want to hire people who know what they’re doing. You can go about getting some experience by volunteering your services or finding an internship. If you opt for the second route, chances are the company you choose will do their best to mould your skills into that of a model employee. A definite plus if you’re aiming to get stable work after it’s over, but somewhat of a minus if you want to choose your own learning path. It’s really up to you.

Step 4: Continue Learning

While continuous learning is important in every career, it’s paramount in technical fields. Trends tend to change, so you will need to match your skills to them. Learn new coding languages, figure out different ways to make the given design work for you and don’t forget to have fun while you’re at it!

What Does A Front End Developer Do?

The main job the Front End Developer has is implementing the design and ensuring its functionality. By doing this, they essentially create the website we see when we load a certain page. Using coding languages, most typically HTML, CSS and JavaScript, these developers determine how each aspect of the website will look like - even developing different codes for mobile and tablet versions of the website. The layout, navigation, links, texts, images and everything else you can think of is put there by the developers. While they don’t usually create the visual identity of the website themselves, they make sure it is implemented to the fullest.

Tasks:

• Creating, adjusting and programming the visual identity of a website
• Preparing images and texts, and linking them in appropriate ways
• Adjusting the website to fit the needs of users and the market
• Ensuring the website is equally discoverable in different browsers
• Creating a graphic user interface - in software applications
• Using HTML, CSS and JavaScript to create UI elements
• Developing a website’s structure
• Developing a code the Back End Developer can use to connect the database and processes of a website

Skills for Success 

In order to become a Front End Developer, you will need strong technical and analytical skills, as well as knowledge of various coding languages. Additionally, you would need to be flexible and willing to learn, depending on current trends. Apart from that, it is very important that you are able to work in a team. It is also useful to be a visual person, so as to better understand everything that comes into the design and that you should bring to life. A lot of patience, understanding and persistence is also needed, as well as a problem-solving approach to things. Being able to work under pressure, as well as being open to feedback can also be useful. A right attitude and the proper motivation is sure to set you apart from others.

Skills:

• Collaboration and communication
• Technical knowledge and skills
• Ability to code in several languages
• Openness to feedback
• Great analytical and problem-solving skills
• Solution-oriented approach
• Time and project management
• Dedication, passion and motivation
• Visualisation ability
• Flexibility and willingness to learn