Almost everywhere you look someone is talking about or calling themselves either a web designer or web developer. But what does it all really mean?

Who really is a designer or developer? Can you be both?

While this can be a topic of hot debate, we help break down the terms, what they mean and how they relate to each other.

A Designer’s Job
Web Designer and Web Developer

First, it is important to really think about each job on it’s own.

A web designer uses graphics and graphic design software (think Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) to create a look for the web. This design is then married with coding to bring it to life online.

The designer may not always be the person writing the code and in some cases can work independently of the team who will take a website design live.

Much of a designer’s job is creative and uses both intuition and imagination, often characteristics of people who are considered right-brained. People in this field may continue their educations in a variety of fields but are most commonly drawn to graphic design and the arts. Designers collect work portfolios to showcase their projects for potential employers.

The best designers have a strong grasp on a variety of concepts including color and typography, spacial relationships, audience and user experience.

A Developer’s Job


While aspects of a developer’s job may resemble that of a designer, it can be quite different as well.

A web developer builds the backbone of websites, typically from the ground up, and knows languages specific to the web. HTML, Javascript, JQuery and CSS are among the tools in their kit. Developers, historically, don’t focus on making something look visually appealing but create websites with clean code and that are technically sound.

Web developers are often thought of as left-brained workers. Skills from technical ability and thinking to logic are an essential part of their repertoires. Web developers may have degrees in a variety of fields such as computer science or programming. Most employers will require a portfolio during the hiring process.

The best developers are often detail-oriented and are keen on specifics.
Two Jobs, One Goal

At the end of the day, both web designers and web developers are working toward a singular goal – to create a website or app that entices and attracts users.

To do this, both the design and development must be sound. A site needs to look good and function properly. The colors and imagery need to reflect the brand and the interface needs to encourage visitors to take a desired action.

The defined lines between designers and developers are becoming more blurred as more designers are learning to code and more developers are paying close attention to design theory. (Just one of the reasons why design and development articles and tutorials are so popular.) We are all beginning to see that the future of the field includes the title web designer/developer.

Source: www.nct.com.ng

Lalasticlala

True.
Designer designs and layout block components.
Developer implements design in web standard format that prepares it for the browser . . .
People often think one they can code in HTML, CSS and some JS, they qualify as designers. Design if done right requires input of an artistic mind.

Sibrah:
True.
Designer designs and layout block components.
Developer implements design in web standard format that prepares it for the browser . . .
People often think one they can code in HTML, CSS and some JS, they qualify as designers. Design if done right requires input of an artistic mind.

you're right.

Thanks for the info

true, I think the web designers roles are more fulfilling and important when at the site creation phase, but afterwards, maintenance wise. the web developers take the stage.

i hate it when people who just know how to use wordpress or other cms refer to themselves as designers or developers. Most of them don't even know basic code... A few plugins here and a few clicks there and voila, they have a generic looking website... SMH...

See difference in visuals

Who is paid more among them?

APHATHEOLOGY:
Almost everywhere you look someone is talking about or calling themselves either a web designer or web developer. But what does it all really mean?

Who really is a designer or developer? Can you be both?

While this can be a topic of hot debate, we help break down the terms, what they mean and how they relate to each other.

A Designer’s Job
Web Designer and Web Developer

First, it is important to really think about each job on it’s own.

A web designer uses graphics and graphic design software (think Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) to create a look for the web. This design is then married with coding to bring it to life online.

The designer may not always be the person writing the code and in some cases can work independently of the team who will take a website design live.

Much of a designer’s job is creative and uses both intuition and imagination, often characteristics of people who are considered right-brained. People in this field may continue their educations in a variety of fields but are most commonly drawn to graphic design and the arts. Designers collect work portfolios to showcase their projects for potential employers.

The best designers have a strong grasp on a variety of concepts including color and typography, spacial relationships, audience and user experience.

A Developer’s Job


While aspects of a developer’s job may resemble that of a designer, it can be quite different as well.

A web developer builds the backbone of websites, typically from the ground up, and knows languages specific to the web. HTML, Javascript, JQuery and CSS are among the tools in their kit. Developers, historically, don’t focus on making something look visually appealing but create websites with clean code and that are technically sound.

Web developers are often thought of as left-brained workers. Skills from technical ability and thinking to logic are an essential part of their repertoires. Web developers may have degrees in a variety of fields such as computer science or programming. Most employers will require a portfolio during the hiring process.

The best developers are often detail-oriented and are keen on specifics.
Two Jobs, One Goal

At the end of the day, both web designers and web developers are working toward a singular goal – to create a website or app that entices and attracts users.

To do this, both the design and development must be sound. A site needs to look good and function properly. The colors and imagery need to reflect the brand and the interface needs to encourage visitors to take a desired action.

The defined lines between designers and developers are becoming more blurred as more designers are learning to code and more developers are paying close attention to design theory. (Just one of the reasons why design and development articles and tutorials are so popular.) We are all beginning to see that the future of the field includes the title web designer/developer.

Source: www.nct.com.ng

hmm i fink am tilting towards developer but improving in designing... my interface may not be good but well developing is exhilrating.

nathanspence:
Na d same canoe dey paddle them

very true

I'm a web designer planning to be a Professional Web Developer
...see my signature

See as people they avoid to comment for this thread like say na ebola

The fact remains that both complement each other, an island knowledge in one without an idea of the other is incomplete

petrelli07:
i hate it when people who just know how to use wordpress or other cms refer to themselves as designers or developers. Most of them don't even know basic code... A few plugins here and a few clicks there and voila, they have a generic looking website... SMH...

So what should they call themselves?

Calm down. An average client doesnt care whatever you use. They pay you to design a site and if you get it done, then they see you as a web designer. Shikena!

No be by all these grammars abeg

wizkidblogger:



So what should thwy call themselves? Calm down.....

Web Administrators.

very nice piece!

I use axure

wizkidblogger:




So what should they call themselves? Calm down. An average clients doesnt care whatever you use. They pay you to design a site and if you get it done, then they see you as a web designer. Shikena!

No be by all tjese grammars abeg

where did you keep "webmaster" ,
and not all average clients are dumb or does not understand exactly what they want, understanding internet terminologies goes a long way.

petrelli07:
i hate it when people who just know how to use wordpress or other cms refer to themselves as designers or developers. Most of them don't even know basic code... A few plugins here and a few clicks there and voila, they have a generic looking website... SMH...

Keep hating it.... If using WordPress to build a website is that easy, I wonder why the "designers" still have clients.

I don't know why you peeps who know how to code very from scratch like that discrimination.. You see yourselves as gods and the rest as mere mortals.. Well guess what?...TECHNOLOGY HAS EVOLVED!!

Welcome to www.leksmediaconcept.com we are a wen design and development company, our sole aim is to provide excellent services that will help project your business and increase profit .

Let us help you build your online reputation , visit www.leksmediaconcept.com or call 08173091370

wizkidblogger:




So what should they call themselves? Calm down. An average clients doesnt care whatever you use. They pay you to design a site and if you get it done, then they see you as a web designer. Shikena!

No be by all tjese grammars abeg

Lol.... Wait till you get hacked because of a dumb plugin.....

Web developers create websites. Web designers create websites. Their work is similar, right? Wrong. The difference is huge, and the main thing is mindset. At the expense of stereotyping: developers write code, a tech-guy, maths guy, he deals with binaries. Designer creates emotions, uses his fantasy and ideas – he is an art-guy, a painter, an artist.

web development encompasses all three areas of designing, programming and marketing.

divicode:
See difference in visuals

The differences don't translate to salary/wages or income, I know a lot of web designers earning far more than developers in the same organization.

petrelli07:
i hate it when people who just know how to use wordpress or other cms refer to themselves as designers or developers. Most of them don't even know basic code... A few plugins here and a few clicks there and voila, they have a generic looking website... SMH...

keep hating and they are the ones getting all the jobs while you're still stock with a single job for more than 2months

nerilove:
Who is paid more among them?

it depends on how you run your package...smartest guy gets the most pricing, you might know all the coding language and you don't get a job but someone who knows Joomla keeps getting jobs here and there