Web design encompasses many different skills and disciplines in the production and maintenance of websites. The different areas of web design include web graphic design; interface design; authoring, including standardized code and proprietary software; user experience design; and search engine optimization. Often many individuals will work in teams covering different aspects of the design process, although some designers will cover them all. The term web design is normally used to describe the design process relating to the front-end (client side) design of a website including writing markup. Web design partially overlaps web engineering in the broader scope of web development. Web designers are expected to have an awareness of usability and if their role involves creating markup then they are also expected to be up to date with web accessibility guidelines.

Web design philosophies vary greatly and can influence the overall look and feel of a website greatly. The most common philosophies are minimalism, flat design, material design, and skeuomorphism. Each has its own unique benefits and drawbacks that can make or break a website design.

Minimalism is all about stripping away unnecessary elements and focusing on the essentials. This can create a clean and modern look that is easy to navigate and use. However, minimalism can also make a website feel cold and impersonal.

Flat design is a more recent philosophy that takes inspiration from minimalism. However, it takes things a step further by removing all unnecessary elements, including shadows and gradients. This can create a clean and modern look, but it can also make a website feel sterile and uninviting.

Material design is a philosophy that was created by Google. It focuses on using shadows and depth to create a more realistic and three-dimensional look. This can make a website more engaging and visually appealing, but it can also make it more difficult to use.

Skeuomorphism is a design philosophy that focuses on making elements look like their real-world counterparts. This can make a website more visually appealing, but it can also make it more difficult to use.

Figma:

A vector graphics editor and prototyping tool which is primarily web-based, although there is a desktop application available for macOS and Windows. It is free to use for individuals, and there is a subscription-based pricing model for teams and businesses. Figma is used by web designers to create high-fidelity prototypes of their web designs, which can then be shared with clients or stakeholders for feedback. Figma has a number of features that make it well-suited to web design, including a vector-based design interface, a library of pre-built interface elements, and the ability to export designs as HTML and CSS. Figma is also integrated with a number of popular web design tools, such as Sketch, Adobe XD, and Invision, which makes it easy to share designs and collaborate with other designers.

Adobe XD:

A vector-based tool for designing and prototyping user experiences for web and mobile apps. It is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools, and it integrates with other Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator. Adobe XD provides an intuitive, easy-to-use interface for designing web and mobile app prototypes. It includes a library of pre-built UI elements and icons, and it supports gesture-based interactions. Adobe XD also makes it easy to share prototypes with others for feedback and collaboration.

Behance:

A portfolio-sharing website for creative professionals. It is owned by Adobe and was founded in 2006. The website allows users to showcase their work and receive feedback from the community. It is used by designers, illustrators, photographers, and other creative professionals.

Dribbble:

It was founded in 2009 by Dan Cederholm and Rich Thornett. It is a platform for designers to share their work, get feedback and hire talent. The site is divided into three main sections: Shots, Players, and Teams. Shots are the individual pieces of work that designers share on Dribbble. Players are the designers themselves, and Teams are groups of designers who work together on projects.