When a business or individual needs a new website, the best place to start is with a designer. But is it better to go to a Graphic Designer or a Web Designer? Here I will discuss in detail what the differences are between the two, as well as answer which is more appropriate for what type of project you may have.
Just to clarify, usually Graphic Designers ARE also Web Designers, or at least they should know how to design a website if they are professionally trained. There are many web designers out in the world who have never had any formal training in Design, Design Theory, or basic Design Processes. This is because the internet was never built on the foundation of any visual design, but rather by programmers and coders with the intent of connecting people from across great distances. As the internet has evolved, design and visual appeal has taken over the main function, and is now the way many people get a first-look at companies they’ve only just discovered.
So initially, Web Programmers were designing websites because they were the only ones who knew how to speak the digital language of the internet (HTML). It is because of clever programing and the popularity of social media that online customization has become easier to do with minimal to no programing knowledge. There are now a wide variety of easily customizable website templates available online at competitive prices, so it no longer requires a Professional Programmer to build a website from scratch. This natural evolution of technology has lead to non-professional, untrained, and so-called “web designers” to spring up in coffee shops across the globe, leaching internet service and lazily throwing together websites without heed to any marketing strategies. Small business owners are now getting treated poorly and unprofessionally by said web designers, many times throwing away their hard-earned money on incomplete projects.
Despite the increase in Amateur Web Designers, professional web design has not faltered, and is in fact on the rise. A Professional Web Designer will be traditionally trained in design, and as well possesses a working knowledge of modern online programing languages like HTML, PHP, and CSS. Most professional Web Designers were likely professional designers of a different type at one time and chose to specialize in web related design. Businesses of all sizes are rapidly realizing the importance of a solid online presence, and so it makes sense that designers are swayed to specialize in the web industry.
Graphic Designers are traditionally trained in the ways of conceptualization, creative thinking, design processes, theory and history of design, typography, printing processes, iconography, and many many more design concepts. They are not usually limited to one particular field of design. They are also not inherently experts in professions such as photography, fashion, architecture and interiors, traditional fine art, industrial design, or any of the other professions that “design” gets attached to or associated with. However, it is quite common for a Graphic Designer to have more than one specialty, like photography and art. They are also not to be confused with a Graphic Artist, who is more or less a Traditional Artist who is familiar with digital mediums and methods of implementation other than canvas or paper surfaces. Graphic Designers can also go by the titles of Visual Designers or Creative Designers and should be held to the same high standards. Recently UX Design (User Experience) and UI Design (User Interface) has grown in demand as interactive designs have become more popular online, both of which are closely related but are more specialized areas of study; every Graphic Designer should also be very well aware of how a user will experience their design, and should anticipate and reflect this concept.
As stated earlier, Graphic Designers should have a firm understanding and experience with web design. Modern Web Design incorporates creative imagery that is usually made using professional digital imaging software, which any Graphic Designer should have a solid grasp on. More importantly, a Graphic Designer would have an understanding of the client’s goals, intentions for the website, and the target market; they would find this information through valid research and properly interviewing the client. They should also be professionally courteous, know how to manage their time properly and meet deadlines. And with great responsibility comes great compensation, so don’t think that cheaper is always better.
For a small business owner, the best way to know whether your web project is in good hands is to do a little research. If the designer has had some traditional training prior to designing websites, they are more likely going to create something that serves the proper purpose, not something that just looks pretty. Consider your website designer carefully, and do-diligence. It can be a costly routine, but ever-more relevant in today’s market.