What Is The Difference Between A Web Developer And A Web Designer?
You may have noticed that there�s still a great deal of confusion surrounding the job roles web developer and web designer. If you�re thinking about becoming a web developer it can be hard to know where to start. To help clear things up a bit, in this article I�m going to define each role, look at the tools and resources needed for each, and tear down the personality types which suit one or the other. By the end of this post you should know not only the difference between web developers and web designers (and believe me, there are big differences!), but also which career choice is the right one for you.
If you�d like to focus on one topic in particular, simply select it from the list below and jump straight to it:
- Definitions of a web developer and a web designer
- What kind of salaries can web designers and web developers expect to earn?
- What tools do web designers and web developers use?
- How do web designers� and web developers� portfolios differ?
- Do web developers and designers need to be more right-brained or left-brained?
- Web development or web design: Which career is for you?
1. Definitions Of A Web Developer And A Web Designer
Let�s start off by framing the comparison through something we all know by imagining a web developer and a web designer getting together to build a car.
A web developer would be responsible for using various components like the engine, transmission, wheels, etc. to construct a fully-functional car that is error-free in its technical aspects.
A web designer would be responsible for the aesthetic design of the car (the comfort of the seats, the layout of the dashboard, etc.) as well as the convenience in driving and riding in the car.
Makes sense, right?
Just as ostriches and zebras travel together in nature to survive, web developers and designers have a symbiotic relationship in working together to create an amazing product. In this article, I�ll outline these two career choices in an article that you can read as you enjoy a cup of coffee.
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2. What Kind Of Salaries Can Web Designers And Web Developers Expect To Earn?
The big question: money. According to Glassdoor, the median annual pay for web developers is $75,487 (in the US, as of March 2019), while the median annual pay for web designers is around $57K.
However, this is subject to many variables including location, experience, and skill sets. You can learn more in this guide to web developer salaries around the world.
A web developer working at his laptop at home
3. What Tools Do Web Designers And Web Developers Use?
Web developers work with programming languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript to create websites and web applications. They will also most likely utilize other languages to set up email services, user authentication, databases, and other technical aspects of websites. To do this, developers use software like text editors, command line interface, and version control to build the technical information (the code) that will present the data.
Web designers are not primarily responsible for knowing how the code works� but making sure it�s aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly for website visitors. They will utilize graphics design software�including products like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Inkscape (an excellent alternative to Photoshop), and GIMP. Ultimately, they will design the layout of the website through constructing prototypes and wireframes. Designers control the flow of information and can even be responsible for website analytics.
A web designer working on a glass wall with post-it notes
4. How Do Web Designers� And Web Developers� Portfolios Differ?
A portfolio is very important�whether you�re a developer or designer. Unlike that disclaimer you see on your stock investments, past performance is a pretty good indicator of future performance. A good developer and designer will showcase their skill sets and experience for future employers and clients, but may make use of different services to do this.
Developers will primarily rely on GitHub.com to display their awesome repositories of coding work. It�ll demonstrate how well the developer can refactor and abstract their code to be elegant and readable to other developers. Cloud-based website-hosting services like AWS (Amazon) and Heroku.com can be used at times to display static websites and web applications that developers have created.
Designers have their own options to show off their ingenuity through websites like Behance.com and Dribble.com. These websites offer the ability to present designers� expertise in color schemes, graphic design ability, and creativity.
Even more important than utilizing these resources is creating a personal portfolio site that you can showcase your work. By creating a personalized website, you have control over how your information is presented and received, without inviting the interference that comes up at times by hosting your content on a third-party website. Nevertheless, don�t neglect these other resources and make sure they are utilized in some capacity.
A web designer working on some of her designs and smiling
5. Do Web Developers And Designers Need To Be More �Right-Brained� Or �Left-Brained�?
When drawing the comparison between developers and designers, the �right-brained� (imaginative) vs �left-brained� (logical) comparison is occasionally made.
It is said that people who think more linearly and logically are left-brain dominant and will enjoy and be more comfortable with web development, while people who enjoy creativity and possess an artistic nature are right-brain dominant and will flourish in web design.
However, there have been studies done that show people don�t have a dominant part of their brain� as Neil deGrasse Tyson put it, �Don�t call me left brained, right brained. Call me human.� Don�t think you�re predisposed to do better in one area than another� an artist can be as proficient at web development as a mathematician can be as creatively skilled at web design. This segues excellently into my final point.
A remote web developer lying in a hammock working
6. Web Development vs. Web Design: Which Career Is For You?
Referring back to my example of a symbiotic relationship, an ostrich cannot become a zebra as much as a zebra can become an ostrich. The ostrich must rely on the zebra�s hearing as much as the zebra must rely on the ostrich�s eyesight. However, you�re in luck, as a web developer can be a web designer as much as a designer can choose to be a developer.
In the real world, you�ll find both career choices can possibly require you to have adequate knowledge and a functional aptitude of the other realm. Successful developers will know how to use color schemes and typography in creating wireframes and layouts, generating the template from which to build the elements with code. Successful designers will understand basic HTML, CSS, and Javascript techniques to understand the technical limitations of their creative layouts and user experience specifications.
They are making a number of great annotation on Web Design Perth overall in this article down below.
Whether you are a professional developer or you are a beginner, the design as well as internet solutions have the possible to make a massive difference in your organisation. The choice is your own, as well as the end result of the Website design as well as Providers that you choose will figure out the success of your company. You intend to make certain that your website design as well as services depend on the same level with your requirements to ensure that your company stands out from the rest.
Benefits for your organisation might be increased revenues, enhancing website traffic, and exposure to even more customers, so you require to find a business that supplies updated, quality layout. It is necessary to the success of your service that the style and solutions you obtain are existing and also are up-to-date to the most up to date fads. If you get stuck with the same old designs over once more, you won't obtain the favorable focus you require to succeed.
But there is an additional fundamental part to take into consideration, and that is the value of the solutions you're getting. When you are creating a site for your service, it's important to think about the advantages you wish to add to your organisation. It's very easy to focus on how you want to bring in clients, however you additionally need to think about just how you can offer value to the clients that see your site.
The significant advantage you intend to include in your business is to enhance sales. With an excellent layout and internet services, you can accomplish this objective. So when you're looking for a developer, bear in mind to make sure that your emphasis is not just on the design of the website, yet the solution is what brings in the purchasers.
Marketing is one of the leading business methods for growing your business. You would like to know that the consumers you supply are getting the ideal info to make them familiar with the products or services you offer. Whether your site is online or offline, using a designer who has experience developing websites is a big part of constructing an effective company.
Search Engine Optimization (search engine optimization) has ended up being really essential in today's market. If you want to be visible in the internet search engine as well as obtain one of the most possible visibility, it's crucial that you have the right design and internet services for your internet site. Make sure that you have someone that understands exactly how to work with the online search engine to locate your website.
Firms can use online devices to assist them improve their rankings, and in some cases this is what the most effective business use. If you intend to attract attention in the internet search engine, you require to seek a company that has actually done this help various other business. The even more they have done, the better.
Companies that are well established in their sector are the ones that have knowledge of the modern technology and also the tools. If you remain in the sector you know a great deal about it, so go locate a designer that understands what you require. They can assist you make your website easier to make use of and discover, along with what you must be looking for.
Along with enhancing the exposure of your website, the designer can additionally assist you locate new services and products that are better than anything else on the market. A few of the best chances for growth come from brand-new innovations and products that are one-of-a-kind and also simple to utilize. You want to make sure that you are getting the best for your website, so search for a firm that understands how to work with the innovation.
An important benefit my blog of having a business that can boost your layout and also solutions is that they are constantly boosting, and also this will certainly provide you with the side that you require to make even more money. Just like the initial business was just efficient something, so too will certainly your business be equally as great otherwise much better. If the firm can do every little thing you require, you have access to numerous new advantages.
Among the major factors individuals are making use of the online search engine to discover services and products is due to the fact that they don't understand what they want. If the company you hire has the ability to discover what you require and develop it, you will find yourself improving results as well as better organisation. moving forward.
For numerous local business owners, producing a site is everything about exactly how they are seen by the public, so a layout and also web solutions firm can aid you achieve this objective. as long as you have a professional designer to do the benefit you. in mind.
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