Difference Between Web Design and Web Development

I have noticed many jobs and projects out here that have called for web design, yet when I meet with them, they are looking more for a web developer. I don’t blame them, mainly because there is a lack of education of what the difference is.

Web Design

A web designer is responsible for the look and feel of the user experience.  Icon creation to color choices to HTML & CSS, the designer always has the user experience in mind. Some Skills for Web Designers will have

Photoshop/Illustrator
HTML/HTML5
CSS/CSS3
Wireframe & Information Flow

Other possible Skills
Flash
Actionscript
PHP
Java Script (basic Knowledge)

Web Developer

A developer is more involved in the nuts and bolts (especially in bigger sites) Customer logins and data bases, creating  e-commerce files, employee  login and data base are all examples where clearly you need a web developer. Some Skills a Developer will Have

Wireframe & Information Flow
Database creation
MYSQL
Ruby on Rails
Perl
Java
Java Script
PHP
HTML/HTML5
CSS/CSS3

Other possible skills
Flash Development (advanced)
Action Script
Basic
Photoshop/Illustrator

Yes, there are crossover skill so one may ask, what is the biggest difference between the two? The biggest difference is what the position’s main focus in on. A designer’s primary focus is on the user, where as a developer’s main focus is making the site itself. My advice if you are looking to build a small basic business site is look for a designer who has  connections with ( or partnered with) a developer. If you are building a larger site, you want to look for both a designer and developer or a developer who has connections ( or partnered with) a designer. Crossover skill do make the individual more valuable, but each position cannot fully cover the other.