Web Designer
- Focus: Primarily concerned with the visual aesthetics and usability of a website.
- Skills: Proficient in graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Sketch. They understand principles of design, typography, and color theory.
- Responsibilities: Designing the layout, visual appearance, and sometimes the interactive elements of a website. They may also create branding elements such as logos and color schemes.
- Tools: Designers often use wireframing tools to create mockups and prototypes of websites before they are developed.
Web Developer
- Focus: Concerned with the technical aspects of building a website and making sure it functions correctly.
- Skills: Proficient in programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They may also be familiar with server-side languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby.
- Responsibilities: Building the actual structure of the website based on the design provided by the designer. They are responsible for ensuring the website is responsive, works across different browsers, and is optimized for speed and performance.
- Tools: Developers use text editors or integrated development environments (IDEs) to write code, along with version control systems like Git to manage code changes.
In many cases, especially in smaller teams or for freelance projects, one person may handle both roles, especially as the lines between design and development become more blurred with the advent of tools and technologies that bridge the gap between the two disciplines.