The title says it all. Is a front-end web developer required or expected to be fairly proficient with Photoshop, or is that entirely left to the designers?

 

As a side question, is a FED expected to have wide knowledge/skills regarding things other than HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, e.g. computer science, hardware, operating systems, terminal etc.

 

But main question is about Photoshop.

 

Thanks!

 

P.S.: I am asking about Photoshop skills because I might need to improve them if they are required of me. I'm fairly good with it, maybe intermediate, but I don't know if employers want FEDs to be proficient at PS.

And I also need to look at what other knowledge is essential to gain with regards to IT in general as a front-end dev.

Edited April 13, 201610 yr by stephen88eu

I don't think it's a requirement, but it would help you out in the long run and possibly even score brownie points as well with employers.

 

As for the other skills you mentioned as long as you have a solid understanding of HTML, CSS, Javascript etc..

 

Git

PHP

SASS

 

Are other skills that would be extremely handy to know, Git for version control as most development agencies use this as a means of keeping track of changes etc.

 

A good understanding would also be helpful if you are ever working on a PHP site it would be useful to know what the various functions do.

 

Sass is an amazing CSS pre-processor which I would recommend you look at, makes writing CSS much easier and more fun

Thanks a lot, Richard! That was very helpful.

Strictly speaking the term "front end developer" should not include much work in graphic applications, nor databases or server configuration. But the agencies I have worked for everybody did a little bit of everything while still having their special areas of expertise. I guess it is a matter of how big the agency is. Large organizations can afford to have very specialized workers, but in smaller agencies you cannot put everything on hold if the only designer in your team calls in sick.

So I'd say a little knowledge of graphic applications would be good to have. As @@richardmountain said a bit of PHP knowledge would also be a plus (though PHP technically speaking is the back-end devs domain)

Technically a developer shouldn't need to know how to design. But as mentioned, some agencies like people who can do a little bit of design and dev (I'm yet to find one...).

 

Yet I'm told, for instance, if the graphic designer has only done a home page for desktop - there may be a need for a FED to 'imagine' what the internal pages or mobile layout should look like - in addition to slicing the PSD.

Everything works in real life. Better learn basic or more. Give sometime to learn a new technique in 15-30 minute of tutorial video watching daily. It is sufficient.

You should know some basic photoshop as it's likely you will receive designs in photoshop. Also it's worth knowing the basics of illustrator or sketch too as modern frontends will be using SVG for icons, logos things like that.

I don't think so. A developer have PS knowledge is a plus point. In some cases web developer uses PS. But if we talk about the business with complicated design requirements would appoint a professional designer or they will outsource their work. So, it is not necessary for a web developer to have expertise in Photoshop.

basic everyday skills, i would say so, yes. photoshop is so complex and powerful anyway that as a graphic designer i would say i still have a lot to learn!

According to me you don't have to be a Photoshop expert to succeed as a front-end developer, but it's good to know some basics at least. It will help you work with PSD files.

Thank you all!

Most front end developers know the basic knowledge of Photoshop. Designing skills in Photoshop are always required by the developers. You can learn the basics of Photoshop from udemy academy. The software houses these days ask the fresh developers to learn the Photoshop, so that they could make the basic changes in the application without consulting the designers.

3 hours ago, Benedict said:

With over 2.2 billion people online, the internet has revolutionized how we find and share information.

The online world is moving at a rapid pace and doesn’t show any signs of slowing. For businesses, a web presence has become a fundamental part of success.

But why is a presence on the web so important? How significant is the impact of being online?

 

You're not going to gain anything from spamming this forum with articles trying to convince web developers and designers the importance of the web 

No it is not necessary for a front end developer to have knowledge of Photoshop. Because you can create a very nice and complex UI design without Photoshop knowledge.

But if you really want to know what your website will look like before starting any construction work then it will make your job much easier.
on it.If you want to know more about using Photoshop then you can check

Edited June 2, 20215 yr by Vamika