Today web design and web development are almost always used together. Most users looking for these services usually use and even sometimes mix the two. It is good to remember website building companies have changed their job description. It is easy to see even companies using the term interchangeably. Today we want to talk about the differences, compare the two, and explain the different skills a web developer and web designer has to have.
The short answer is a web designer is usually tasked with making the website look good. Designing the website’s layout, usability, and visuals is usually the web designer’s job. A web designer has to have the creative and technical skills necessary to make the website look visually impressive.
On the other hand, a web developer is tasked with building and maintaining the core structure of the website. They are the people who coverts the website design to a usable website. A web developer must have the skills and knowledge necessary in coding languages like HTML, Javascript, and Python.
Web Design vs. Web Development
As we briefly talked about, these two terms are usually different than each other. Web design development is usually about web page visuals, creating engaging websites, creating the best layout, and following the web design trends while communicating with the web developers so the website can function.
However, web development is about turning this design into a functioning website. Web developers use coding languages like HTML, CSS, and Python. The web design is a non-interactive picture of the website. Thus web developers are required to take this picture and make it functional.
Now let’s see the differences and skills web developers and designers need to do their job.
The Role of Web Designer
Since web design revolves around the website’s appearance, a web designer must have certain creative and technical skills. Web designers must keep color palettes, brand imagery, and many more factors in mind. Web designers should always keep the client’s website objectives in mind. It is also useful to remember there are usually different web designers focusing on or experienced in different types of websites.
Web designers also need to know the tools required to create wireframes and prototypes. These tools help the designers visualize the website.
Types of Web Designers
There are 3 major types of web designers;
- UX Designers
- UI Designers
- Visual Designers
UX Designers
UX stands for user experience, so UX designers figure out to ensure that users who enter their website have a good experience. They work for the user experience at a high level by conducting user-oriented work on the site.
UI Designers
UI designers (User Interface) work for a user experience similar to UX designers. Their role differs because they conduct strategies to increase the website’s conversion rates. The UI designer’s job is to design the information and control parts, such as buttons and navigational.
Visual Designers
Visual designers work on the layout and themes of the website. Thus, we can say that they focus on the whole design of the website. They work on creating attractive websites, so they sometimes work on CMS. In addition, they use software and design tools together to create.
The Skillset of a Web Designer
Although there isn’t a clear recipe for success in web design. It is good to remember, like any other job. Web designers have to have a certain set of skills. Some important skills include:
- HTML and CSS knowledge
- Understanding the web design principles and standards
- Keeping accessibility in mind
- Conversion Rate Optimization
- Wireframing and prototyping
- Keeping the brand image in mind
- Design tools and required software
It is also good to remember web designers need communication skills to communicate with clients and web developers. If you think web design is proper for you, you can discover how to learn web design.
The Role of Web Developer
Web Development revolves around building and maintaining the core structure of the website. This involves technical work like using coding and programming languages. Web developers are the people who take the ideas of web designers and make them functional. The website design can be compared to a picture of the website. Web developers are those who make this picture interactive.
Developers are tasked with building and maintaining the website, which includes post-launch work. Web developers usually need to maintain the websites they have created. They also undertake to test and debugging of the websites.
Types of Web Developers
There are three major types of web developers;
- Front-end Developer
- Back-end Developer
- Full-Stack Developer
Front-end Developer
Front-end developers code and program the visual elements of websites. They create the part of websites we see, such as design, structure, content, web applications, or mobile apps. Front-end developers figure out the client side of the website. The user experience is a priority to focus on, and coding a responsive website is crucial for their job.
Back-end Developer
Back-end developers work on the unseen part of the website. The storage of data, creating libraries, writing APIs, and creating a system of components, in short, the parts users can not interact with are created by them. They code the database and server parts of the website, and front-end developers visualize the website.
Full-stack Developer
Full-stack developers code the back and front end. Besides configuring the website’s data and server, they can also figure out CMS, HTML, and JavaScript.
The Skillset of a Web Developer
Web developers need to have technical skills. Unlike web designers, their task is all about making the website function. The web developer’s task is to build the website. A web developer needs skills such as:
- Coding and programming languages
- Javascript frameworks
- Testing and debugging
- Back-ends databases
- Content management systems
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge
Of course, web developers also have to have certain problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills. There are also tools commonly used in web development, and web developers are usually required to know how to use these tools.
Concluding Web Design & Development
Though both terms are used together and sometimes used for each other, these jobs differ. The web designers are all about the website’s visuals, while the developers ensure the website’s functions. Thus, if you think about choosing one of them to start your career, you should consider the skillset of web designers and developers to understand which one is the most suitable for you.
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