Graphic designer and web designer. What is the difference between them?

Graphic designers and web designers naturally share some common skills, such as:

• the basics of typography (rules for the graphic form of text),
• color definition (hue, saturation, brightness, and temperature),
• visual hierarchy (visual elements that separate different parts of the page),
• layout or the graphic arrangement of the page

However, their daily work differs in many ways. 

Graphic Designer

Talent and hours and hours of practice – this is what being a graphic designer entails. As a client, you collaborate with an artistic soul brimming with creativity and ideas. You most often encounter them when you need to create, for example:

• a logo,
• printed materials,
• posters,
• vehicle wraps,
• the visual identity of your brand

All of this is now created by the graphic designer in both online and print formats (except for the vehicle wraps, of course).

The graphic designer constantly thinks about how to make their work unique, distinguish it from the endless array of others, and how to make the best impression. They master typographic rules with flying colors. 

They consider how to ensure that the readers of their work:

• read it well,
• are engaged,
• convey all necessary information,
• are impressed
• and ideally, that they remember it long after viewing

Web Designer

The work of a web designer is not very much about great creative freedom. In web design, it is essential to think strategically. The attractiveness of the website is secondary; the most important thing is its functionality.

1. Web design is dynamic. It constantly changes and adapts to demands. Therefore, work on it is often continuous throughout the operation of the website/e-shop/portal. There is always something to improve and test.
2. Web design is clear. For a presentation website, we ensure that users can comfortably access the information they need while also presenting what the client and their brand, company, product, etc. require.
3. Web design is feasible. At the same time, we must consider that what we design can actually be created by coders and programmers (and that it doesn't cost a fortune). At PUXdesign, we also emphasize responsive behavior of the website, meaning adapting content for various devices – computer, mobile phone, or tablet.

Design must simply serve the purpose of the website. Therefore, think of the graphics (i.e., specific banners, images, or color combinations) as the icing on the cake. And even though the general perception of web design suggests it is purely a matter of feeling and everyone can have their own opinion, try not to succumb to this assumption.

At PUXdesign, we have experienced web designers with many years of practice who know exactly where to place a button or other element to guide potential clients toward conversion.

How to Recognize an Experienced Web Designer? 

It is very difficult to distinguish an experienced web designer from an inexperienced beginner without practice or even a self-proclaimed expert on the first try. In the Czech Republic, web design is not offered as a separate field of study, so you must recognize professionalism based on other parameters. Ideally a combination of:

• References
• Personal website
• Price
• Personal preferences

Never, ever, ever look for a web designer solely based on their price, without considering other aspects. Pricing is influenced by many factors, but generally, the more experienced the web designer, the more you will pay for them. And believe me, the more complex your website or e-shop is, the more you will appreciate a seasoned expert. 

Solutions Created for a Specific Audience

Have you found a web designer whose style suits you? It’s time to get to work. And by that, we mean collaborative work – during the web design process, it is best when the client actively participates in everything. Why? Regular meetings over the various phases of web design allow us at PUXdesign to gain valuable feedback from the client and proceed with the work more quickly. 

With the client's cooperation, we can also gain insight into the real needs and behaviors of people: by deploying heatmaps to understand customer behavior on the website, conducting in-depth interviews with specific individuals, or perhaps surveys. These are the pieces of information that are crucial for a functional website/e-shop/customer portal.

We regularly work with heatmaps at PUXdesign. They help us uncover how your customers naturally navigate your website/e-shop. 

He is interested in what you expect from the website

• What goal should the website achieve and who will primarily use it?

Did the designer present you with a (semi)finished design without consulting you? Get away quickly while there's still time. First and foremost, the web designer, in addition to understanding the needs of the customers, inquires about the purpose. Are you selling goods, showcasing your work, or trying to encourage potential clients to fill out a form? Without a clear brief on what it should ultimately deliver, your new and beautiful website/e-shop will not.

Utilizes UX and UI design

You know your customers, you have the purpose of the website. Now it's time for the structure itself. Have you ever found yourself struggling while shopping on an e-shop? Or needed to close an annoying ad but couldn't find the button? Welcome to the world of UX and UI, which addresses these issues.

Thanks to the principles of UX and UI, the web designer can guide your customers to fill out a form or complete a purchase. 

In a well-designed website that includes UX and UI design:

• Customers understand navigation elements, CTA buttons, and other interactive elements.
• They can interact with them.
• They can easily find what they need on the website or e-shop.

Even though UX and UI design complement each other, there is a difference between them. Let’s explain what these two abbreviations mean: 

Graphic design and web design carry certain nuances. You can now recognize the difference at first glance. However, if you need assistance with printed materials or the creation of a website/e-shop/portal, contact us. At PUXdesign, we have both experienced and creative graphic designers as well as seasoned web developers focused on UX and UI – we would be happy to help you with both.