Web Design vs. Graphic Design: Main Differences

For beginners and the general public, graphic design and web design may seem similar. But these are two distinct areas of a creative profession

The contrast between graphic design and web design is a fascinating subject, and it's not always easy to identify their similarities and differences. In this article, we'll explore the possible futures of each profession and offer valuable advice on how to start your journey as a designer.

Read on if you're interested in finding out more about these two careers and whether they will continue to be in demand in the near future. We'll also provide some information about the sector and, ideally, help you determine your future career opportunities.

However, before we go any further, let's start by clarifying what graphic design and web design entail.

What is graphic design?

Graphic design focuses on the production of visual elements, the integration of images and text and the creation of illustrations to convey a particular concept or help market a specific item.

In the past, graphic design was associated with creating logos, designing posters, illustrating magazines, producing brochures and similar tasks.

However, over the years, graphic design has moved into the digital realm and utilised cutting-edge technologies to produce perfect images. An excellent graphic designer must demonstrate a strong understanding of the fundamentals of design. They need to master colour theory and typography, understand visual hierarchy and layouts, among other skills.

The main tools used by graphic designers include Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. However, some designers may opt for alternative tools that they prefer.

When comparing graphic design and web design based on responsibilities, we can highlight the following points.

Typical graphic design activities:

Analysing briefs and creating specifications;
Liaise with clients and provide guidance on tactics to reach wider audiences;
Developing concepts and presenting ideas that match the client's vision;
Choosing fonts, colours and layouts for upcoming illustrations so that they are in keeping with the company's brand;
Create drafts;
Working in collaboration with clients and team members from various departments, such as marketing and sales;
Involvement with the artwork helps to complete and approve the artwork before handing it over to a client;
Evaluating artwork across different platforms (social media, adverts, website, etc.);
Evaluating and modifying illustrations to ensure they remain current and in line with the brand.

Both web design and graphic design are part of the visual design category and operate in the same domain. However, let's take a closer look at what web design entails.

What is web design?

Firstly, let's identify the main differences between a graphic designer and a web designer. Firstly, a web designer concentrates on the overall look of websites.

Just like graphic designers, web designers make use of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Nonetheless, web designers need to grasp the fundamentals of computer programming. They ought to possess knowledge of HTML and CSS, as well as, ideally, a fundamental understanding of JavaScript, PHP, or other programming languages.

Web designers need to know not only the software and programming languages listed earlier but also a range of additional principles. For instance, if this field piques your interest, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with essential UX artifacts and current web design trends.

Web designers are tasked with developing the aesthetics and general appearance of web pages. Typical web design responsibilities involve organising the website's UX, creating wireframes, managing content and producing the final design.

However, this list is not complete. Here are additional tasks that are part of web design services:

Incorporating CMS applications and data flows supplied by the client into the site;
Improving websites to ensure optimum scalability and loading speed;
Evaluating websites and identifying performance problems;
Collaborating with back-end programmers to ensure the correct logic of the website (or mobile application);
Ensuring the coherence of the website's functionality on different platforms and devices;
Collaborating with the marketing teams and the client to ensure the correct placement of the brand.

Web and graphic design are based on fundamental design principles, so web designers must also understand how to apply typography, colour schemes, layouts and visual hierarchy when creating websites.

Both web and graphic designers need to know the basics of visual art, composition, design trends, etc. In addition, both require a solid grounding in soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, time management and customer relations.

What distinguishes graphic design from web design?

So the battle between web design and graphic design persists. Let's take a closer look at the designers who work in these areas. We already know that they both produce visual media to represent something. What are the main differences between graphic design and web design? Let's find out.

Technical skill set

The main and most significant distinction between graphic design and web design is the range of technical skills that designers use during the project. When producing illustrations, graphic designers use Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and various other software, limited only by their creativity.

On the other hand, web designers need to be familiar with HTML and CSS for their work and have basic skills in other programming languages. In addition, web designers are limited by the technical capabilities of the site. They have to take into account file sizes and loading times.

Active and long-lasting

Both graphic design and web design are certainly types of art. Graphic design is closer to traditional art forms, which results in greater longevity. We still remember posters and illustrations from bygone eras, some of which are even on display in museums.

On the other hand, web design is fluid, often undergoing updates and new interpretations every few years. Website designs become outdated quickly and require constant updating - just look at the

examples of product website design. Outdated designs are often only found in Google archives and past trends rarely return to popularity.

Dynamic and fixed

Another important difference between graphic design and web design is the degree of interactivity. Web design allows users to interact directly with the site by clicking on various buttons, which can activate different pop-up windows or animations. In graphic design, the methods of interaction are limited. We can observe it and perhaps feel it, but that's about it.

DPI and pixel measurements

Web designers face restrictions on their creativity due to various factors: image dimensions, pixel count, loading time, among others. Consequently, creating images adapted to a specific website poses technical challenges.

A web designer's main responsibility is to create or select an image with the highest resolution but the smallest file size. The image for printing and the image used for web design will have different DPI (dots per inch). For example, a website graphic might have 72 DPI, while a poster graphic usually uses 300 DPI or more.

Limitations of typography

Both website design and graphic design incorporate typography during their development. However, web designers also encounter limitations in this area. Not all the fonts you want to use are compatible with all devices, so you should take this into account when choosing a specific font. Some browsers may have difficulty processing certain fonts in CSS.

An effective approach to this problem would be to set up a font stack, allowing the browser to have several fonts to select from.

Continuous connection

Website design requires continuous updates and creativity, allowing web designers a better chance of securing lasting agreements with their clients. Once you have created a website design, the job is not complete. Future adjustments and extra functionalities will be necessary, as all websites progress in order to remain competitive.

On the other hand, when you create a graphic design, your task is finished once the client has approved your artwork. If the client needs a new printed version, you will probably need to develop new artwork.

How are graphic design and web design similar?

We've already talked about the distinctions between website designers and graphic designers, but now let's examine their similarities. Based on the previous sections, you may have got the idea that these are completely different areas, but that's quite misleading.

Design principles

When you think about print design compared to web design, what similarities do you think there are between them?

Both categories of designers need to understand the basic principles of design before entering the professional field. Typography, colour principles and visual hierarchy - all these elements are essential for effective design. In addition, it is very advantageous for designers to possess artistic abilities and to be generally imaginative people. Regardless of whether it's graphic design or web design, fundamental knowledge of art is crucial.

Design movements

Contemporary trends come and go, and design trends are no different. Every designer must keep up to date with current trends and develop their projects accordingly. To avoid your website or an illustration becoming outdated within a few months of its creation, make sure they are in line with current trends. Web design trends are more fluid, which means they can change more frequently.

Innovative answers

Web design and graphic design jobs are certainly creative, requiring individuals in these roles to be adept at brainstorming and coming up with various ideas. This is why many clients turn to their specialists to find innovative and effective solutions to the design challenges they encounter.

A poorly designed website won't attract enough customers, and a badly designed poster won't be able to advertise the product. In this situation, designers step in to help. Web designers make sure that the website looks and works effectively, while graphic designers solve problems by creating logos, brands or other visual elements that are attractive to the company.

Creativity is valuable, but it's even better when the designers you collaborate with understand the business. This allows them to adapt the design more effectively to the audience and achieve your business objectives.

Communication

Effective communication is crucial to success in graphic and web design. Whether you're creating a website or a brochure, effective communication skills are essential. Your role is to understand the client's needs and ask the right questions to form a definitive image of the expected design.

Many clients don't have specialised design knowledge, which makes it difficult to articulate their requirements. In this situation, it is your responsibility to ensure that this communication is effective and that the design fulfils all the client's requirements.

When do you need a web or graphic designer?

Now that you understand the difference between graphic design and web design, you can more easily choose what kind of specialists you might need for your next project.

If your project includes creating artwork for social media posts or images for your YouTube channel, hiring graphic designers is the best option. Here's why:

They'll create a cohesive collection of images for your company: including social media headers and video thumbnails, along with the images you plan to distribute;

Graphic designers will help you maintain a consistent brand design (fonts, colours, logos) across all the artwork needed for product marketing.

Their expertise will help you gain a clearer vision of the desired visuals for your brand, whether they are vibrant or subtle, more formal or relaxed, while formulating a clear strategy.

However, if you want to build a website from scratch and ensure that it is user-friendly, clear and well organised, you will need to hire a professional web designer. They are able to:

Create a polished, well-optimised website or mobile app mock-ups that align with your needs;
Help you evaluate the page's performance and remove errors;
Repair the current website or application;
Modify visual components such as pages, buttons, icons and pop-ups to your liking.

So whenever you need images for informational, promotional or entertainment purposes to share on social networks or streaming sites, a graphic designer will be the ideal choice. If you're looking for a website or mobile app with relevant content and easy navigation features, web designers will do the trick.

Which designer position is likely to be most in demand in the future?

It's quite difficult to determine, as both careers are still in high demand. Despite a major shift to online shopping after 2019, almost 90 per cent of retail activity in the US remains offline. This is why graphic designers are still in high demand, despite the growing need for web designers.

Consumer spending online is on the rise, making the creation of digital products and the building of e-commerce brands more relevant than ever.

It's almost impossible to predict which of these design careers will thrive in the future.

However, the current scenario indicates that graphic design and web design remain essential, as companies are expected to gain advantages by hiring specialists in both areas to develop complete and impactful marketing and branding approaches.

What's the best professional option: web design or graphic design?

It can sometimes be difficult for budding designers to decide between web design and graphic design. Although there are many design courses online and offline, some companies still require web and graphic designers to have at least a bachelor's degree to start their careers.

A poorly designed website doesn't attract enough customers, and an unattractive poster doesn't effectively advertise the product. In this situation, designers step in to help. Web designers ensure that the website is attractive and works effectively, while graphic designers meet the challenges by developing logos, branding and other impressive visual elements for the company.

The monetary factor of selecting a job should also be considered. It is true that the salaries of web designers and graphic designers vary. Generally, web designers receive a higher salary, with an annual average of $70,000 per year, compared to $60,000 per year for graphic designers in U.S. However, it's important to note that the salary difference isn't huge and can vary depending on the country and organisation you're applying to.

In the end, the choice of which area of design to pursue is yours. If programming doesn't appeal to you, the best option is to pursue a career in graphic design. On the other hand, if your passion isn't limited to design and you enjoy programming, pursue a career in web design! Both professions are inventive, satisfying and in great demand.

Every day, thousands of companies are looking for qualified and experienced professionals, providing competitive opportunities. However, even newcomers to web and graphic design can discover plenty of internships and opportunities for entry-level professionals.

Graphic designer vs. web designer: who wins?

If your question was: ‘Web design or Graphic design, which is better?’, hope this article has given you the ideas. Web design and graphic design represent two aspects of a single creative field and the decision as to which is best is entirely up to you. Both areas have their advantages and disadvantages, distinctions and commonalities, but each is equally fascinating and demanding.

If you're looking for a web designer and a graphic designer, Studio.351 is a fantastic option for you.

FAQ

What distinguishes web design from graphic design?

Graphic design focuses on creating visual materials such as logos, posters, leaflets and other types of printed media. Web design, on the other hand, specialises in creating layouts and visual experiences for websites and digital platforms, taking into account user interactivity and navigation.

Can graphic design be used on the web?

Yes, graphic design can be used on the web, especially for elements such as logos, banners and other images. However, web design goes further, as it involves issues such as usability, responsiveness and optimisation for different devices.

What skills are needed for each area?

Graphic designers need to master editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, as well as understanding principles of visual composition and branding. Web designers, on the other hand, should have knowledge of prototyping tools such as Figma or Adobe XD, as well as skills in HTML, CSS and UX/UI design.

Is web design more focused on technology?

Yes, web design has a greater focus on technology, as it involves developing websites that work well on different devices and browsers. This includes performance optimisation, responsive design and user interaction.

Is it possible to be good at both areas?

Yes, many professionals combine graphic design and web design skills. Although the two areas are distinct, they can complement each other very well, especially when creating high-quality digital materials such as websites and adverts.

Which is more important for a business?

Both types of design are essential, but it depends on the type of online presence the business wants to establish. If the focus is on having a functional website and a good user experience, web design is crucial. If the focus is on visual branding, advertising and brand communication, graphic design is fundamental.

Can web design be considered a form of graphic design?

Although web design involves aspects of graphic design, such as the creation of visual elements, it goes further by considering the functionality of the site and the interactive experience. For this reason, web design is often seen as its own discipline within the field of design.

Can I hire a web designer to create a logo?

While a web designer may have the skills to create a logo, a graphic designer is usually more specialised in branding and logo design. If the focus is on creating a strong and unique visual identity, a graphic designer may be the best choice.

Is web design more in demand these days?

Yes, with the growth in the online presence of companies and businesses, web design is in great demand. However, graphic design remains fundamental, especially in the field of advertising and brand building.

What role does the graphic designer play in a web design team?

The graphic designer can work alongside the web designer to provide the necessary visual elements, such as icons, images and colour palettes, ensuring that the site has an attractive visual appearance while the web designer focuses on functionality and usability.

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