Difference between graphic design and web design

Designing for web and print are two different experiences. Just because a designer is good at one doesn't mean they'll be good at the other. It's necessary to understand that web and print share many similarities, but they also have many differences.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to combine your love of technology with your passion for design, you’ll probably find yourself faced with a tough choice….graphic design vs web design.

It’s important to have a comprehensive understanding of each field in order to determine which best suits you and your personality.

Designing for web and print are two different experiences. Just because a designer is good at one doesn’t mean they’ll be good at the other. It’s necessary to understand that web and print share many similarities, but they also have many differences.

Although aspects like job growth and salary potential are definitely important, they shouldn’t be the determining factors in your quest for the perfect career. We got in touch with some professionals in both fields to hear their thoughts on the debate over graphic design vs web design. These thoughts came straight from industry expert, so consider them insider perspectives.

After gathering their thoughts, we broke them down into bite-sized chunks to make them easy to digest. These tidbits should help give you a better idea of which career suits you best.

Graphic designers…

Put art first.

Have a one-way relationship with their audience;

More artistic (i.e. sketch with a pen and paper);

Needs to know how each element of a design translates to print;

Must focus on how a design communicates a massage to its audience;

Emphasize visual theory in their designs;

Have one short to get a design right once it’s printed;

Web designers……..

See the art as a way to leverage technology;

Have a mutual interaction with their audience;

More technical (i.e. coding and programming);

Employ an engineering approach to their designs;

Must predict how a design will make its audience feel and react;

Need to know how to design for versatile mediums (i.e. laptop, tablet, smart phone);

Can develop and enhance their work over time.

After comparing graphic design vs web design on multiple levels, you should be able to confidently determine the field in which you’ll excel.