While graphic design and web design have their similarities, there are also major differences between the two.
Here we look at whether graphic designers can create effective web pages, or whether you need to find yourself a dedicated web designer.
Does graphic design have to be printed?
Graphic designers are a versatile bunch. One day they’ll be working on a large corporate report for a multinational client, the next designing a logo for an up-and-coming brand. In between, they may spend hours creating an advertising poster or contributing their skills to the design of graphics for an exhibition stand. Increasingly, with the rise of digital technology and the internet age, graphic designers are lending their experience to digital design for social media and web pages. But are the two disciplines linked, or should graphic designers stick to more traditional, printed mediums?
The simple answer is, it depends. While there are similarities between the roles of web designers and graphic designers, there are different constraints which they must both be aware of, and work within.
In this article, we explain what to look for if choosing a graphic designer to undertake your web design.
How is graphic design used in web design?
Graphic design is the discipline of communicating messages through the creation of visual content. This includes choosing visual elements such as page layouts, typography, imagery and data visualisation. It requires an understanding of branding, and the ability to take the audience on a journey.
Obviously, much of these overlap with what is needed in the design of website pages. You’ll want eye-catching typefaces, which are legible on different devices; you’ll want colours that work together and compliment your brand; and you’ll want imagery that sells your company and the products or services you provide.
A good graphic designer will achieve this for you just as well as any dedicated web designer – they do it for printed materials all the time, after all.
However, as we mentioned, there are differences between the two disciplines. And this is where you have to be careful when selecting a designer to design your web pages…
Graphic design and web design differences
The fundamental difference is, of course, the constraints of the medium. The measurements of the page restrict traditional graphic designers who work solely on print campaigns. Any designs they produce are static and display exactly how they’re meant to – a printed proof will soon show any discrepancies between design and finished product.
The web is different. People view web pages on a multitude of devices and screen sizes. If not taken into consideration at the design stage, this can lead to a jumbled mess for the user.
Similarly, essential elements such as typography may not display the same way in different web browsers or email clients. Some graphic designers may never even have heard of a web-safe font.
Then there’s purpose. While both graphic and web designers create with the user experience (UX) in mind, user interface (UI) design is the preserve of web and app design.
Printed materials are to be consumed, be that reading text, following an infographic or admiring beautiful imagery. On the web, content is there to be interacted with. Call to action buttons, clickable content and moving elements are all used to direct a user towards reading more, completing a purchase or making an enquiry.
For this reason, knowledge and skill in user interface design is a necessity, rather than a nice to have.
Finally, at an even more basic level, there are practical differences to overcome. Traditional designers work in dots per inch (DPI) and the CMYK colour model. Web designers use pixels and RGB.
Subtle differences, which can cause enormous problems down the line.
