How to Choose to Be a Web Designer or a Web Developer?

As both web developers and web designers are responsible for improving a webpage, most people tend to think that their jobs are the same. However, in reality, it is not.

The web designers are a type of graphic artists, who usually work on boosting the aesthetics of a website. On the other hand, a web developer works on enhancing the functionality of a webpage by using a few programming languages.

So, if you are thinking about making a career in the field of website design, then you can choose any one among them. But, which one should you go for? This question can be quite difficult to answer if you do not know the basic differences between web developers and web designers.

Hence, here, I will try to clear all your doubts and help you to make your choice in a more convenient and stress-free way. So, make sure to read on to know more about these aspects.

What are the Differences between a Web Designer and a Web Developer?

Right now, you only know about the most fundamental dissimilarity between web developers and web designers. However, with this small amount of knowledge, you will not be able to make your choice.

So, in this section, I will talk about some of the key differences between these two areas of website design to help you to know more about their roles.

1. Job Roles

   A designer generally works on the graphical side of website design while the developers are more concerned about the technical aspects of a web page. Therefore, as you can already understand, their job roles are quite different from each other.

   For starters, a web designer generally improves a website’s aesthetics by crafting a new layout of the homepage. He or she also edits videos and photos of the page to make it more engaging and appealing for the clients. In one sentence, the designers tend to work on the decorative side of the website design.

   Contrarily, a Squarespace designer would work on fixing the hosting or server issues of a website to make it faster and user-friendly. By using some specific program languages, they can also create contact forms and build a mobile application for your website.

2. Usage of Tools and Programs

   Like their job roles, the tools, which the developers and designers use, are quite different too. If you want to be a web designer, then you would have to learn about the website design tools, such as Dreamweaver, Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, AI, Illustrator, etc.

   On the other hand, to be a web developer, you would require a thorough knowledge on various programming languages. Some of the most popular languages, which you need to know about, are – JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

   If you are working on the source code management issues, then you would also have to learn other advanced program languages like CVS, SVN, and Git. For operating on the front-end framework, knowing about jQuery, Bootstrap, and React is also a must for you.

3. Salary Structure

   If you are considering making a career in the field of website design, then knowing about the salary becomes quite essential for you. From a general viewpoint, the web developers usually earn a little bit more than the designers.

   However, your salary would usually depend on your overall experience, expertise, and the company for which you are currently working for. So, no matter which option you are thinking about choosing, make sure to stick by it as long as possible. Once you receive your pay stub, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your earnings and can better plan for your financial future.

Designer or Developer: Which One Should You Go For?

Before you choose your new job profile in the divisions of website design, you would have to know more about yourself first. If you do not self-evaluate, then you will never be able to make your own decisions.

However, if you are having a hard time assessing yourself, then make sure to check out the following tips. They can surely be helpful for your cause.

1. Your Current Skillset

   Your current skillset or expertise matters a lot, especially when you are thinking about choosing between website developing and designing.

   If you have done a course on any of the programming languages, then I would suggest you to learn a few more, particularly HTML and JavaScript, and become a website developer.

   However, if you are a pro in Adobe Photoshop or any designing tools, then it would be better for you to opt for web designing. Hence, before making any rash decisions, you should always evaluate your skills and interests first.

2. Consider Your Wants and Needs

   Do you like painting or are you more interested in building something from scratch? These are some of those types of questions that you must ask before taking up a job role in the domain of website design.

   If you have always considered drawing to be your favorite hobby or love decorating something, then the profile of a web designer should be ideal for you. However, if you love to play with codes and build applications, then web development is your thing.

3. Determination and Patience

   No matter which job profile you are thinking about taking on, you would have to be patient and determined to shine in the field of website design. This tip becomes even more important for you if you are considering being a web developer.

   Learning about programming languages generally takes a lot of years. Besides the task of web development is also a little bit more difficult than designing. So, if you do not stay calm and patient, then it would be difficult for you to accomplish anything.

Conclusion

Both the web developers and designers are indispensable in the digital universe. Therefore, no matter which profile you decide to choose, you will always have your own importance.

So, all you need to do is be patient and enhance your skills as well as expertise in this field. It will surely help you to shine on this field and be one of the best in the market.