I've seen a lot of people talking about web design and web development, usually with that they are either one or the other. Appologies for the stupid question but I was kind of hoping someone would be kind enough to tell me the differences please?

 

As a newb its pretty confusing

 

Thankies.

I've seen a lot of people talking about web design and web development, usually with that they are either one or the other. Appologies for the stupid question but I was kind of hoping someone would be kind enough to tell me the differences please?

 

As a newb its pretty confusing

 

Thankies.

Way i see it is this, Web Design is, designing sites, and making them into a Working HTML site, ( you are designing the site)

Development is, backend source like PHP or ASP.( you are developing the site into more)

 

Hope that helps.

I agree with irn3rd's explanation of them, but since starting up a web design business, I also use the term "development" to mean the ongoing process of growing and building business/products/services.

Awesome, thanks guys

 

It sounded like two totally different things but I could never work out why. I find it interesting how people label themselves with it on the forum. The same with the 'experience' side of things. I know its all a matter of personal opinion and I think thats one of the reasons I find it interesting. How do you know when you become an 'advanced' web designer/developer? Or a web guru? Why arent 'coders' web designers of developers?

 

They are two entirely different things, no wait what dmpinder said, no wait they're different, no wait...

 

I fully agree with the above ^^.

 

Design == graphic design (web layouts?) then, html and css for styling, javaScript is more than likely under this branch too as it usually involves usability of some sort, like inline form validation, interactivity enhancements like sliders, animated drop downs, custom hovers etc.

 

Development == Server side code, although your not necessarily developing all the time. I do not see working with an Open Source CMS as development at its basic usage. As you did not develop that system, you are dropping in their very own markup (template tags) to perform the tasks that were created in the development process. (*oxygen intake). If you go on to write plugins, add unique functionality to that CMS then i'd say you branch to development.

 

So if your selling Wordpress design, you really should be marketing Wordpress design.

 

dmpinder though has thrown a curve ball, especially if development is taken in it's literal meaning he has hit the nail on the head with developing the site into something successful over time through whatever channells.

 

All depends on what your career is really and what stand point you should take. SEO marketer, Front end designer, programmer, etc..

 

I'd say until you are proven in whatever field with a solid portfolio, top search results, or a sound knowledge of server side coding you can't really claim to do the whole works, unless the nature of your business involves other people who can do these things.

I also agree with irn3rd..

Interesting, but I always saw it as web design - front end web development - back end

I had this penny drop last week

 

develop is mainly coding I think

 

designer is mainly the graphic design element again imo

 

 

I've got quite a lot of developer training but little in the way of designer training

I had this penny drop last week

 

develop is mainly coding I think

 

designer is mainly the graphic design element again imo

 

 

I've got quite a lot of developer training but little in the way of designer training

I'd agree with this.

 

It'd be interesting to see how many people have labelled themselves as either designer or developer but actually do both.

I'm guilty of this, I always refer to myself as a Web Designer, but I write code and develop systems as well as design.

Was it Zigpress who coined the phrase "develosigner"?

I'd agree with this.

 

It'd be interesting to see how many people have labelled themselves as either designer or developer but actually do both.

I'm guilty of this, I always refer to myself as a Web Designer, but I write code and develop systems as well as design.

Was it Zigpress who coined the phrase "develosigner"?

 

taking your point a bit further Darren, there is considerable overlap, usability is imo the responsibility of both dev and designer

taking your point a bit further Darren, there is considerable overlap, usability is imo the responsibility of both dev and designer

Yeah I agree.

 

Unless you happen to work in a very large firm where they have set designers, coders etc then I guess most of us have to be a mix of designer/developer.

I agree with Darren (not myself ) that designers and developers can overlap in job role, but only use one title. I do both design work and development work, but always called myself a "Web designer".

I agree with Darren (not myself ) that designers and developers can overlap in job role, but only use one title. I do both design work and development work, but always called myself a "Web designer".

 

I call my self 'multitasking web superstar.com'