Designer vs. Developer: What’s the Big Deal?

Many people often wonder about the difference between web designers and developers. It’s common for website companies to use these titles interchangeably, which can be a little confusing. There is a difference between the two roles; each has a unique skill set for building a website. It’s important for those seeking a website to understand the difference.

A web designer focuses on the site’s usability and appearance, using tools like Photoshop and Adobe XD or website builders like Wix or Squarespace to create layout and visual elements.

A web developer builds a website using programming languages like HTML, CSS, Javascript, and PHP to turn a web designer’s vision into a fully functional website.

Website Designers

A skilled web designer takes on the vital task of curating the aesthetics of a website, encompassing every aspect from the overall look and feel to graphic design, layout, colour theory, typography, and user experience (UX) design.

There are two types of website designers - those who use online platforms like Wix or Squarespace and those who create mockups in design programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD before handing them over to a web developer to build the website.

Website designers are dedicated to crafting interfaces that are both visually stunning and easy to use. They carefully select colour schemes, design layouts, and create and source imagery and fonts to enhance the user’s experience on website pages.

Some of the areas a designer will focus on include:

Layout

Efficiently organising a website’s content is an essential component of web design. A designer will carefully consider the use and placement of imagery, text, icons and videos to ensure seamless navigation for users.

Colour

Designing a website’s colour scheme is a thoughtful process. A designer not only needs to take into account the client’s brand identity but also take into consideration colour psychology and colour theory.

Typography

Selecting the perfect font is a vital aspect of creating a captivating website. Web designers must carefully consider choosing an appropriate and readable font for their client’s site.

Web Developers

Web development, sometimes called programming, involves converting a designer’s web design into a functional website. Developers focus on technical aspects and use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Some developers may also know backend languages such as PHP, Python or Ruby. They use development frameworks and tools like Dreamweaver or a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress to create a website’s structure and functionality.

Because website developers create websites through custom coding, they can create a completely custom website that suits your specific needs. But with that comes a hefty price tag. You can expect to pay upwards of $5,000 for a fully customised website build.

Collaboration

Designers and developers will often work closely together, with designers creating the initial visual concepts and developers bringing the website to life through coding. Many modern web companies have dedicated designers and developers who collaborate on websites’ graphic design and functionality requirements.

In many website design and development projects, skills overlap, and some individuals offer both design and development services. In the end, choosing between a designer or developer depends on project requirements, budget and specific skills needed to achieve the desired outcome. 

Are you looking for a website designer for your next website project? Crystal Potter Design Studio specialises in Wix and Squarespace website design.