Graphic Design and Web Design: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Many times, we are tempted to believe that graphic design and web design are the same. A deeper understanding of both reveals that there are certainly major differences. The responsibilities of a graphic designer are quite different from those of a web designer.

Understanding these differences is very important to businesses looking to hire designers. It is also important for individuals planning to become designers. Without further ado, let’s see the differences between both.

Defining Graphic Design and Web Design

The easiest way to understand the differences between these two forms of design is to define them. The graphic design employs graphics, graphs, images, and typography to communicate ideas. It means that graphic designers can create both digital and print projects. Graphic designers have no relationship whatsoever with programming.

Web design is a little similar to graphic design because it also employs graphics, graphs, images, and typography to communicate ideas. However, web designers only produce designs for websites. They do not create anything for print.

With these definitions, we can deduce that web designers have the responsibility of making websites look good and load quickly. Because of this, web designers are more restricted than graphic designers.

Why You Should Understand the Difference

It is very important to know the difference between graphic design and web design. They are two distinct professions and you must treat them as such. If you hire a graphic designer for a web design project or vice-versa, you are likely to face hitches.

Understanding this difference affects your final choice on who you need on a specific project. If you need artistry without worries of the web, a graphic designer is your best bet.

This understanding also helps individuals decide their career paths. Each of these professions requires a different set of skills. While web design requires an understanding of the web and programming, graphic design requires artistry. Now that you know why you should know the difference, let’s check out some differences.

Differences Between Graphic Design and Web Design

Use of Colors

The color mode of graphic design is completely different from what is obtainable in web design. Graphic design makes use of CMYK color mode because of the need for printing. Also, the use of colors in graphic design is aimed at creating visual impact and flow guidance.

The color mode used in web design is RGB. This is mostly because of the need for special imaging. It aims at pushing forward information in a subtle manner. You should note that visitors to websites become fatigued when you use strong colors in the design. Colors are essential when you print something on wood or clothes. Click here for more information about T-shirt printing!

Use of Fonts

This is another factor that differentiates between graphic design and web design. Graphic designers have more liberty with fonts. This is because the final implementation doesn’t really matter since the text works with printing.

Web design, on the other hand, is a lot more comprehensive. As a result, the choice scope of fonts is very small. This is very important so that the output doesn’t put pressure on your server. HTML uses the default font of the operating system used by the web designer. In summary, web designers have to be more mindful of the fonts they use than graphic designers.

Information Spread

When it comes to information dissemination, graphic design is more traditional. It makes use of mail delivery, posting, sales, and many other methods of communication. This results in a high cost for a small range.

Web design offers a wider range when it comes to spreading information. It has a better ability even though it relies more on third-party media.

In terms of your audience, people of different ages find it easier to accept graphic design. This is not the case with web design as it doesn’t suit all ages.

Image Files

There are two main types of image files, GIFs and JPEGs. The latter makes images crystal clear and retains their details and colors, so graphics and photographs that have an array of color blends are mostly in JPEG. All these details are what you should consider in web design.

With graphic design, it is completely different because there aren’t any restrictions. The images don’t need the sort of perfection and details discussed above.

Both image types play different roles with GIFs appearing grainy and JPEGs appearing fuzzy. As such, graphic designers work more with JPEGs. Web designers prefer GIFs because of color variations.

Resolution

Resolution talks about the quality of images used on a project. It is one of the major differentiating factors between graphic design and web design. You measure resolution in pixels.

Medium

Graphic design requires the designer to produce static images. These include social media graphics, infographics, and print advertisements. After they are created, the graphics remain static. This means that they have to work without motion to pass the message.

It is completely different with web design as this form of design works with dynamism. Interactivity enhances several elements of a webpage and its graphics. Such elements include call-to-action buttons and even the navigation bar.

The graphics in web design aims to enhance user experience. On the other hand, in graphic design, it seeks to pass a message.

Application

The application of the design is one major difference between graphic design and web design. Projects under graphic design always have concrete specifications. The designers always have to design using a specific size to fit a specific medium. A vivid example is when designing for a Facebook ad, they should use 1200 pixels x 630 pixels.

Web design requires the end product to fit several devices. The website must be responsive for desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets. If the website isn’t responsive, it results in poor user experience which leads to poor rankings.

Job responsibilities

Finally, we will look at the difference between graphic design and web design by considering the job responsibilities. A graphic designer should:

• Be more artistic.
• Focus on communicating a message with the design.
• Emphasize the visual theory of designs.
• Understand how different elements of design come out in print.
• Possess skills in concept development, typesetting, Adobe Creative Suite, and marketing material.
• Be proficient with the use of Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw, and Adobe Illustrator at least.

A web designer should:

• See art as a means of leveraging technology.
• Understand mutual interaction with the target audience.
• Be more technical (programming and coding).
• Employ an engineering approach for designs.
• Predict the reaction of the audience to each design.
• Get better with designs over time.
• Follow the latest trends in web design and be able to make predictions.
• Understand how to combine words, apply colors, position buttons, introduce web content, and lots more.

Conclusion

We can go on and on about the differences between graphic design and web design. But, we believe with what we have above, you can go about hiring a Delesign designer with the right expectations in mind.