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in reply to Web Developers vs. Web Designers

My meditation is this: Who has the advantage? Is the Web Developer more important than the Web Designer (does the functonality mean more than the graphics), or is it the other way around, or are they equally important? Also, does their importance vary depending upon perspective? (i.e. Might the site owner hold functionality higher and a site viewer hold aesthetic quality higher?)

The advantage is always on the side of those stopping to ask such questions, and trying to work as a team.

Christian Lemburg
Brainbench MVP for Perl
http://www.brainbench.com

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Re: Wed Developers vs. Web Designers
by joee (Beadle) on Apr 18, 2001 at 04:00 UTC
    I have a friend who is an awesome artist and graphic designer. His layout and formating of graphics and his hand drawn art and ideas/humor would just amaze most people. Example: for his wedding he had a "program" made out just like a playbill for Broadway musicals. Funny and awesome work. In the few projects that we've worked on together he has always amazed me with his keen eye and attention to detail, picking out things I would easily miss. But what I lack in grace and art I make up with knowledge and technical skill. What a site we could make, if we could stop drinking long enough.

    However I have asked myself the question being asked by Sherlock. When faced with a career choice, or how to market yourself for a potential employeer, what path do I choose. My current resume states that I am a web designer. Maybe it should read web developer? Does it matter? The small businesses that I've created sites for did not care what I called myself. Now I am seeking a career move, to work with the Internet and computers more in a team setting so I could get more exposure and experience. Does it matter now what I call myself?

    Yep. I have found that in my area, the northeast, the 'developers' have an edge in pay over the 'designers'. I have set myself to learn more of the 'nuts and bolts' of a website so I would have a better chance of breaking into the field. Otherwise I would be competing against the likes of my artistic friend (Cubism? Does that have to do with the Rubik's Cube?).

    puts down the chalk and walks away from the board

[reply]
      I think your concern of what to call yourself on your resume is very important. I think I fall somewhere in between a designer and developer, taking CS courses and working with user interfaces at work force me into a mix of the two. What I think those who are good at both should do is call themselves by a dual title, Web Designer and Application Developer. I think, and hope, that a potential employer would see that as a great advantage, having someone who can do both, and communicate well between the hard core developers and designers.

      Arashi
[reply]

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