Web Designers vs. Web Developers: The Face-Off

November 26th, 2010 39 Comments

What’s the difference between a Web Designer and a Web Developer? Besides the fact that they’re both web geniuses and pretty shabby lookin’ in a cool way (as portrayed in the comical infographic), do you know what each does and how they work together?

Now, I could give you a boring or technical Wikipedia definition of the two, but I think you’re capable of looking them up yourself. So instead, I thought I’d share this funky infographic that was made for Wix by the rockin’ web geek and writer, Shane Snow.

I just love this guy’s work. Talented – would be a massive understatement for this sci-fi/pizza- loving 25 year old.

You can follow Shane on Twitter or visit his personal website to see more of his kick-ass work that’s been featured in Mashable, The Next Web, Gizmodo, Engadget, Wired, The New York Times, LifeHacker and more.

web designers vs we developers Web Designers vs. Web Developers: The Face Off

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About the Author

Ingrid Abboud aka 'Griddy' is a whole lot of things with a ridiculous amount of interests. For one, I'm a Social Media enthusiast with a tremendous passion for writing and blogging. I'm also a pretty cool Copywriter but a more serious MarCom Consultant. But most of all, I'm the proud owner and driving force behind nittyGriddy.com - A Kinda Social Media Journal with Net News & more.

Visit Griddy's Website
  • http://twigafiber.com/ Glass Wool Insulation Delhi

    Really amazing thought !! It can be get by anyone because you are distributing with image !! One confusion I have can we say on-page worker as a web designer !!

  • Elite Infoworld

    The developer is on the way of the horse and cardigan. Useful, but soon we will not need for developers of small things, they will be things, they will be automated, such as spell checker and they only thing left is the client saying.. “Make it look pretty.” This problem is really built by the developers, are making the software easier to use by the designer….

  • http://www.open-source-web-development.com/ Open Source Web Development

    Both activities are totally opposite for system and also it is very important to making new application also.

  • http://www.open-source-web-development.com/ Oswdsoa

    These two things are totally opposites and both are things are very important for new sites and how to implement which totally depends on its views.

  • http://daysantique.blogspot.com/ chaitanya

    It`s rather funny, The one who designed it did a really great job. coming to web programmer, i just remember my classmate who is a programmer , he has some of these qualities. He always carries a programming book and his own stuff . He has no addiction, may be he will sooner or later. He has a unshaved beard, and he is skinny.

    had a lot of fun reading this

  • http://twitter.com/sydcon_mktg Jennifer Devitt

    LOL, Ingrid! I have seen this before! Been married to a web developer…I can say that this graphic is 100% accurate!

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey Jennifer

      Glad you like this and even more so that you agree and can back it up LOL 😉 – I thought it was a really coo infograhic as well.
      Happy Saturday to ya
      Cheers

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  • http://benwan.net Ben wan

    Hi Ingrid,

    Here is a funny post, after reading all those advice blog posts. That picture is hilarious because it’s full of insider jokes. What I found most funny was the t-shirt, especially 127.0.0.1 because I know what it means.

    I consider myself a developer and I appreciate the work of designers, because I can turn their Photoshop designs into a WordPress theme. I was just about to get information overload, and this post has lighten my day.

    Ben Wan

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey Ben,

      Thanks for stopping by :).

      I’m glad I discovered your blog :). Some great stuff there. I’ll make sure to thank Patricia for directing me towards you.

      I really like this infographic as well. It’s funny and informative.

      Oddly enough, the stereotypes depicted in it seems to ring true with a lot of folks that commented here.

      I envy people like you who have the genius/techie side going for them. I’m terrible with Photoshop – actually I don’t even think I have it on this PC :(. Goes to show.

      I keep saying I’m gonna learn the basics, but I’m getting better and better at procrastinating with that one. I will though – soon ;)!

      I’m happy this little post here was able to lighten your day.

      I’ll be looking forward to reading more of your articles. And now, I’m off to find out what 127.0.0.1 means haha.

      Thanks again for your comment.
      Cheers

      • http://twitter.com/mrBenWan Ben Wan

        Hi Ingrid,

        I wonder how many people revisit older post and comments. Don’t worry about photoshop, because I wish I could write as you do, and write more blog post more frequently. 127.0.0.1 is the IP address for localhost, that’s the IP address web developers use when they develop a website on their own computer… well like I do.

        Ben

  • http://www.larissaphotography.com/blog TJ McDowell

    It’s kind of funny because I used to do web programming, and I’m not really that amazing at the whole presentation thing. I’ve got a buddy who does amazing website art, but doesn’t do too much coding. Neither one of us could really do the job of the other. It’s funny how the artists tend to make less – their work is in my opinion harder than a programmer’s. In general, artists don’t tend to care as much about money though (ie starving artist). Very different personalities at play.

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey TJ,
      Sorry for the late reply – am actually travelling at the moment. I’ve got friends who do both as well and they are indeed dependent on each other for website designs and other.

      I can’t do either so I couldn’t tell you which one requires more work is or harder but from what you say it sounds like it’s not so fair for the designers :(. I can tell you though, that if I was a designer I’d be pretty bummed at making less than my other half. Oh well, such is life I suppose – until the designers start some kind of union and protest hahaha.

      Thanks for coming back again to share your thoughts and experiences here. Much appreciated.
      Have a super day.
      Cheers

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  • http://twitter.com/ElisesReview Elise M

    Hi Ingrid! I’ve seen you a lot around a few other blogs and visited yours a few times, now I think it’s time for me to comment :)

    This is a crazy awesome infographic! I like the coffee cups that show the salaries 😛 I’m a huge fan of learning through pictures and colourful things, so I really do enjoy and commend the people who put the time and effort into creating things like this! Wish I could do it too, but I’d probably fail horribly haha.

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey Elise,

      Well I’m glad you took the time to comment :)! Thank you.

      I totally agree, this infographic really rocks – and the coffee cups are pretty witty as well.

      Shane Snow is just loaded with artistic talent and like you, I too commend those folks who take the time to share their creativity – especially when the outcome is something entertaining and useful like this one here.

      I’m a big fan of infographics and I don’t know if you noticed or not, but I have an entire category in this blog dedicated just for them. They’re a great way to learn new things. People like pictures and we learn faster if we are attracted to the information and the way it’s layed out or displayed for us.

      I wish I could do stuff like that too – but I think I would fail worse than you lol. I can barely draw stick figures haha. I guess we weren’t all blessed with the same capabilities. Each of us has our own forte or talent – and that’s fine too!

      I appreciate you stopping by here and leaving your 2 cents. Hope to see you around these parts more often.

      Cheers

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  • http://www.bloggingbookshelf.com TristanH

    Ingrid, I LOVE this infographic! Ok, I think infographics might just be my favorite kind of post. I mean, they’re entertaining AND informative… What’s better than that?

    Oh, and um… I might or might not have just bought a domain name where I will just post blogging and social media infographics… Remember what I said about me being addicted to domain names?

    Anyway, thanks for sharing it! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey Tristan,

      I love inforgraphics in general! Like you said not only are they entertaining but super informative as well! And might I add – you’ve gotten pretty good at making them – NICE :)!

      I’m gonna’ go with you MIGHT HAVE purchased a domain name – and I for one will be looking forward to those SM graphics. I purchased a few domain names last year as well but I let about 4 of them expire since I didn’t do much with them and kept 2 or 3 others just in case ;).

      I’m glad you liked this one. Shane Snow has some sweet talent!
      Thanks for the trip over here. Always a pleasure Mr. Higbee.

      Cheers

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  • http://twitter.com/MySOdotCom Kevin Green

    What a timely piece. Facing challenges with the balance of Designers vs Developers with my company right now.

    You can have a kick ass product that every early adopter and management will pay dearly for, but Design creates a product that the end users must have creating the the standard for your industries use.

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey Kevin,

      It’s a bummer that you’re facing certain challenges with the two :(.

      One of my main activities here is Copywriting. I do quite a bit of content writing for websites and seeing that I often coordinate the entire Communication project from A to Z, I work hand in hand with website companies and free lancers. Meaning – I’ve spent days sitting and dealing with both designers and developers – which also closely work together and are often dependent on each other.

      One is fun and exciting for me. I can relate to images and ideas. I go back and forth giving my opinion with the images and layout. The other I usually say to: “Can it be done? Do whatever you have to but it has to look like that”. Meaning – the jargon is too techie for me, it doesn’t make a difference what coding language you use, I may know what it looks like now, but I don’t know how to apply or use it.

      But what I didn’t know is their differences in salary. Hmmm…pretty big!
      That’s my share of rambling in reply to you :).

      Nice to have you back here again. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
      Hope you overcome those challenges.

      Cheers

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  • http://potpolitics.com jsinkeywest

    Developers get rich designers don’t :)
    Stumbled :)
    Glad to see so many cool people on your site :)

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey John,

      Nice to see you here! I appreciate you stopping by. And yes, I’m quite lucky to have some amazing peeps here :).

      Well it seems that you’re right on that one lol! I don’t know why that is or how fair it sounds but what the heck – I won’t make a big fuss since I’m neither ;).

      Thanks for sharing your 2 cents.
      Cheers

  • http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

    For me, designers are the cool ones that take the bare bones of a web developer and make it something special.

    But I’m just speaking from personal experience 😉

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hola Danny,

      Well, that’s one hell of a way to put it! Me likey ;). Also very true. But the developers may say that if it weren’t for them, things wouldn’t be running so great. And they might add a little snarky remark about getting paid better haha.

      Needless to say that I’m glad you hopped over to give us your personal opinion.
      Now get back to all the shopping and decorating OR you can always turn to the Fiverr fever folks lol ;).

      Always great to see you here Mr. Brown. Thank you.

      Cheers

  • http://www.moremoo.com Adam

    Haha Ingrid, this made me laugh. But it is so truth. I like these infographics a lot.

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hi Adam,

      Great to have you back here :). It’s definitely a funny interpretation of the the two – although like you said – maybe there’s a bit of truth to it.

      Happy you liked it. There’s a bunch more of these awesome infographics here so take a look around.

      Thanks for stopping by and for the RT :).

      Cheers

  • http://www.bizchickblogs.com Tia Peterson, BizChickBlogs

    Ingrid – Too funny. Love it. And know first hand that it’s so true, except that in my experience, developers are just a little chunkier. :)

    Cheers,
    Tia

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey Tia,Great to see you here :). Glad you loved it! I think Shane has a done a super job in this comical interpretation. In the spirit of Thanksgiving I’m gonna’ be cheesy and say that he’s stuffed and marinated with artistic talent lol ;).Chunkier, nerdier, skinnier, prettier, sexier, cooler… I hear ya ma’ dear Lol! I’ve seen and worked with quite a few. But I gotta’ tell ya – I really respect their artsy-fartsy side and I actually wish I had their skills. It would have made my life a heck of a lot easier ;).I appreciate you stopping by and leaving your thoughts Mrs. BizChickBlogs :). Always nice to see you around these parts. Keep up your awesome work!Happy belated Turkey Day.Cheers

  • http://twitter.com/lavenderuses Patricia Millman

    Hi Ingrid

    Love the infographics. Helped me to understand their differences; especially their fashion styles lol

    Like you; I think they are both in the realm of genius. But can they network or comment like us eh??!!

    Patricia Perth Australia

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey there Patricia,And how are we doing today? Hope the nice weather down under is treating you well.You always manage to leave a smile on my face when you stop by my blog :). Thank you!My dear Mrs. Lavender, I don’t think anyone on earth can comment like us hahaha. Actually, I’m gonna’ include Tristan, Thu, Michele and a few others to that list but you and I have written the eBook on leaving looooong comments lol ;).I love infographics in general actually. I have an entire section dedicated to them on this site. I’m in awe by artistic talent since I don’t have much of it – I have cool ideas but I just can’t implement them – design wise.I agree – definitely little geniuses those web folks :).Glad you enjoyed this post. Another short one – not too shabby for little ol’ me eh lol ;)?Have a great weekend. And as usual – thanks for hopping over here.Cheers

  • http://www.famousbloggers.net Hesham Zebida

    Aha.. good one :)

    • http://nittygriddy.com/ Ingrid Abboud

      Hey Hesham,

      Good to see you here Mr. Famous Bloggers :).

      I really like this infographic. This guy is just beyond talented. I’ve come across a lot of this work in the past and it’s awesome.

      Glad you enjoyed it.

      Cheers