Web and Graphic Design Guide

If you’ve made it this far on the Internet, you’ve likely seen your fair share of websites and graphics. These are the works of professional web and graphic designers. Together, they make information engaging, easier to absorb, and visually captivating.

Whether you’re looking for talent as an employer or aiming to collaborate with expert web design companies as an entrepreneur, selecting the right designer for your project is crucial.

Learn about the essential skills and knowledge needed in web and graphic design and their differences and similarities to know which designer best fits your goals.

Web & Graphic Design Quick Definitions

Graphic design is the professional practice of creating imagery and illustrative assets to visually communicate your message to your audience. It comprises your logo color palette, typography, social media assets, and more.

Think of it as the general umbrella under which focused and specialized visual efforts belong. A working understanding of graphic design basics, elements, and principles equips you with relevant skills applicable to other fields and industries like web graphic design.

A graphic designer needs to know and do well with the following:

• Color theory – Even the most skilled designers must continue to practice their understanding and application of color theory.
• Typography and typeface design – A small but impactful detail to your visuals, typefaces are generally well-designed. Still, should they need editing or modifications, designers need the know-how to do so.
• Digital design skills – Most graphic designers’ work involves digital tools and design software. Find designers who are adept with the essential programs for your project.
• Traditional art basics – Depending on the work, you might want to look for graphic designers who have a conventional skillset and are familiar with the basics of traditional art.

Ayoub Rhilane, Founder of Rhillane Marketing Digital, suggests: “Creativity in problem-solving is at the core of web and graphic design. The synergy between aesthetic innovation and practical utility defines successful design outcomes, making it an indispensable skill in the industry.”

Contrary to graphic design, web design takes a more specific skillset that considers the user interface and experience when developing and designing a website.

Web design is the professional practice of creating and designing websites. This service is sought out by small businesses, non-profits, established companies, and individuals alike.

A beautiful website can speak volumes about your brand’s credibility. Aside from basic knowledge of graphic design, a web designer also needs:

• Working understanding of CMS tools – Content management systems (CMS) is the website’s backend. It’s where most of your content will be set up before your audience can see it.
• Programming and web development basics – While not a requirement, a web designer who knows how to code a website can conceptualize feasible designs and ideas. Moreover, it makes collaboration with the web development team more seamless.
• Concepts of UI and UX – Many experienced designers pursue UI and UX to improve their expertise in the growing industry. Effective web designs prioritize user interface and how the audience will engage and interact with the website.

Web Design vs. Graphic Design: Main Differences

As you would expect, specialists work best in their optimal environment. The same applies to web and graphic design professionals. While they share similar, interconnected skills and tasks that can sometimes blur the line between them, there are also distinct differences that set them apart.

Let’s specify the tasks unique to each of them to better understand their differences:

Difference #1: Advancement in Technical Skills

• Web Design: New styles and techniques emerge at a faster pace.
• Graphic Design: Balances traditional methods with new trends.

The first difference is in the required skills. An excellent understanding of graphic design can prepare you for web designing, but the reverse is not always true. Consider graphic design as the genesis of your design journey, and as you gain more experience and technical skills, you can choose to specialize in designing websites.

While both roles are expected to keep up with industry changes, web design trends are constantly shifting as more businesses build their online platforms to establish online presence, status, and reputation.

Difference #2: Crafting Dynamic vs. Static Designs

• Web Design: Covers both static and dynamic designs.
• Graphic Design: Mostly static designs, with a few exceptions for digital adaptations.

Graphic design tends to be static and immobile, while web design needs to be adaptable and flexible depending on the site. A website can have graphic, unmoving elements, but these should be scalable when viewed from different devices, such as desktops, phones, or tablets.

Difference #3: Optimization, Resolution, and Dimensions

• Web Design: Requires specific settings depending on the medium but is easier to adjust.
• Graphic Design: Dimensions must be specific for the finished product so it’s polished and final.

A web graphic design exists in the digital realm and follows optimization and resolution requirements different from traditional print designs. It's crucial to keep a manageable file size for web designs to ensure they load as quickly as possible. This is because it only takes 50 microseconds for users to form an opinion about a website.

Meanwhile, graphic designs may be digital or printed, so, it’s important to know the dimensions and quality needed for the final rendition. This ensures the output is free from pixelation or distortion and meets the expected quality.

Difference #4: Project Timeline with the Designer

• Web Design: Contract lengths depend on the project; designers are expected to make changes as needed.
• Graphic Design: Project length is more predictable and typically ends as soon as it launches.

While the web development industry is fast paced, many renditions and continuous updates require a long partnership between the business and the designer. Since the majority of graphic designers are self-employed, setting a timeline for your contract with them is essential. Graphic designers can usually expect to work for the duration of the project. In contrast, web designers may have a long-term relationship with a company.

Establish these expectations at the beginning of your agreement to find the designer that best fits your needs.

Web Design and Graphic Design: Key Similarities

Web and graphic design have key similarities due to these fields being interconnected. Moreover, these roles are often expected to have several, related skills under their belt.

Typically, any designer's workday would flow like the following:

• Discuss projects and objectives with the art director and stakeholders
• Conceptualize, explore, and craft designs
• Keep track of new design trends and practices
• Collaborate with the team to create concepts
• Advise and oversee the design process as needed
• Develop and produce the final design

Valerie Nova, Art Director & Co-Founder at Ubunzo, thinks: “Mastering the five main rules of design is essential to excel in web and graphic design: balance, contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity. Grasping these principles ensures designers can craft visually stunning and coherent works, making every design good and truly great.”

Charlotte Delmonte, Creative Designer and Director at Charlotte Delmonte Design, mentions the key skills required: “Knowledge and understanding of visual communication are common skills transferable across web and graphic design. This includes the use of color, typography, formatting, and layout. Attention to detail, consistency, and clear communication are equally important.”

Don Grantham, Director at Evolve Media, agrees and adds: “Proficiency in graphic design software and understanding of web design principles are essential.”

How Graphic Designers Help Your Company

Incorporating visuals into your work processes is essential to more effectively communicate ideas and messages, both internally and externally. Most, if not all, organizations can benefit from having an expert in web and graphic design on their team. You can specify the details of the role as needed, whether your project requires a specialist in technical documentation, marketing visuals, or others.

How Web Designers Benefit Your Business

We can all appreciate a well-designed space that effectively delivers data and communicates the organization’s goals to its audience. In the early days of the internet, having a website containing all the necessary information was enough. However, the more populated it becomes, the more discerning the users have grown to be.

An average web design agency has extensive expertise to build your website at an accelerated pace to help you keep up with the competition. Find out how to choose a web design agency to match your business’s needs and which skills you should look for in your search.

Web Design vs. Graphic Design: Which Matches Your Project?

If the web design vs graphic design debate is still on your mind and you’re unsure which role would better match your project, rest assured that the industry is full of talented people ready to expand their resumes and do their best to help achieve your goals.

According to Tim Hoerl, Principal at Hoerl Design, a successful designer needs to be like Batman: “No, you don't need to drive a killer car or wear all black (most designers will disagree about that last one), but you need to employ the skills of a detective, digging deep into what makes your client and their audience tick.”

At the very least, we recommend looking for experienced designers who meet the following qualifications:

• Have a thorough understanding of design fundamentals
• Be able to keep track of new design trends and techniques
• Equipped with creativity in problem-solving and collaboration
• You can find a design professional who can adapt to your needs with these.