Web Developer vs. Web Designer: What’s the difference?

We are living in an era where the internet is our second nature and we cannot do without it. In this digital age, the impact of web development and web designing disciplines is identical. These two unique fields go hand in hand concerning a website's look, feel, and experience. In other words, if the web developer is the builder, then the web designer or graphic artist is the architect. It is projected that by 2030, compared to all the other occupations, the employment of web developers and web designers will grow 13% worldwide. This article will further educate you on the salient characteristics of a web developer and a web designer.

Job role

The primary job role of a web developer is to create websites and web applications. He/she is responsible for building the core structure of a website making sure it has smooth and error-free functionality, constant updates, and bug fixes. This job has further been categorized as front-end development, back-end development, or full-stack development. On the other hand, a web designer’s job is to create the outlook or layout of a website visually pleasing to users. The scope of a web designer is mainly woven around user interface (UI), user experience (UX), and visual design areas. So, a web developer maintains a technical mindset while a web designer has a creative approach to their work.

Skillsets

These two professions equally require both hard and soft skills. Sound technical knowledge in programming languages with a strong analytical and problem-solving mind are essential key skills for a web developer to prosper. A good sense of creativity with an artistic eye to work with many design tools is a must for a web designer. The more you improve your specific skills, the more you stand out in the game.

Use of tools

Handling tools for these two jobs are different based on their purpose. JavaScript, HTML, CSS, PHP, Python, Ruby, SQL, HTML, jQuery, etc. are among the main programming languages of a web developer. Apart from that, databases and other technical aspects of websites, text editors, command line interfaces, and version control systems are commonly used tools in web development. Design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Inkscape, Dreamweaver, Sketch, and GIMP are important tools for a web designer. A good understanding of typography subject is also another smart skill required in web designing. Both fields are blessed with the application of technologically advanced tools.

Prerequisites

Your skills, interests, and prior experience play a remarkable role when it comes to these two fields. If your drive is into analytical, technical, and functional stuff, web development is a good pick for you. Studying a computer science or web development degree is necessary to get into the field. If your focus is more on aesthetic aspects and if you are familiar with UX/UI theory with the proficiency to use industry-standard design tools, web designing is the right choice for you.

Apart from that, maintaining a sound portfolio gives fuel to prosper long-term in both web development and web design industries. GitHub, AWS (Amazon Web Services), and Heroku are famous platforms to update the portfolio of your web designing work. Behance and Dribble are two ideal platforms to showcase the portfolios of graphic artists. Your portfolio is a passport to open up many opportunities and networking with industrial giants.

Career opportunities

The good news is both web development and web designing are lucrative professions that remain in good demand worldwide. The career progression in these two fields is vast and starting a career as a web developer or web designer is indeed a wise investment. However, the hiring cost of a web designer is comparatively less than a web developer.

In conclusion, both these job roles are equally important as the digital world is changing in full swing.