madesimplemedia

I suspect it's down to the fact that recruiters in general don't understand the difference between designer and developer and just list a load of technologies/acronyms they have heard of such as PHP, ASP without actually knowing what they are asking for.
 
In my experience, a really good designer doesn't really get involved with the backend. They have a full time job designing, building and maintaining web sites, liaising with Developers and customers etc. Why dabble in the back end when you have Developers around who are paid to do that and already know the systems in place?
 
There's no doubt some PHP/ASP/ASP.NET is a benefit though, if you also have a working/basic knowledge of one of those it is a strong advantage.