You need a website. So you hire a web designer, right? Many people confuse “web design” with “web development.” They also assume that web development involves design, and vice versa. However, these two terms are not interchangeable. Before picking up the phone to hire that web designer you Googled, you should understand the difference.
Web Design
Web design is the look and feel of a website. Web designers create the graphics and style elements, and design the site’s visual layout. They must have a good grasp of user experience, as they are also in charge of content organization and site structure. Web designers often have degrees or certifications in graphic design. They tend to be creative and intuitive. This is sometimes in direct contrast with the logically driven web developer.
Web Development
Web development is the functionality and execution of the technical site of the website. Web developers are programmers, proficient in one or more programming languages (PHP, C#, etc.). They are primarily concerned with whether or not the website and web applications are functioning correctly. In the web design/development process, the web designer passes her website mock-ups (the look and feel) to the web developer. The developer, then, executes the design and add the required functionality.
The Bottom Line
Some web developers may have web/graphic design skills. Similarly, some designers have an understanding of front-end development. Generally, however, most professionals are stronger in one area. This is why you need both a web designer and a developer. When you hire a web agency, you ensure that your design and development needs will be satisfied. At KIMBO Design, we employ trained web designers and developers. They work symbiotically, but their roles are different. By combining their strengths, they create flawless designs, seamless user experiences and functional solutions.
Related Information
Now that you understand the difference between web design and development, you may also want to wrap your head around the difference between graphic design and communication design.
