If you are someone who wants to master a new skill in the web development sector, you might often mess up the role of a front end developer and a web designer. The same goes for the clients who want either front end development or web design service but can’t figure out what professional to hire. 

If someone doesn’t have a strong technical knowledge, they can often feel confused about what a front end web developer does and what a web designer does. And, they often hire the wrong person and prompt them for something which the particular professional is not quite capable of doing. 

Even though the task of a front end developer and a web designer seems similar from some view points, there are some differences. And that’s the purpose of this article, to let you know the difference between front end developer and web designer. 

Who Is a Front End Developer?

A front end developer is a person who is responsible for making sure the front end of the website performs smoothly. A front end developer analyzes data users’ data and makes changes when it is required in order to provide the audience with an impressive user experience. 

And when it comes to ensuring the proper functioning of a website, a front end developer of a website plays a prominent role. In other words, the front end developers work behind the scenes, making sure the website runs just fine. 

Who Is a Web Designer?

A web designer is responsible for designing websites. The main role of a web designer is to plan and implement impressive design that can enhance the effectiveness of the website user interface. They consider quite a few key factors and come up with visual graphics that increase the functionality of the website’s interface.

Visual aspect is key in this online world. And especially when you choose a website to sell your products and services, the job of a web designer makes a lot. A web designer has to make sure the website looks perfect from all the possible angles. 

What Is the Crossover Between a Front End Developer and a Web Designer?

Now you know the basic job responsibility of a web designer and front end developer. But, you need to enhance this knowledge and there are cases when you may find it hard to differentiate between a front end developer and a web designer. 

• Skillset

If you are someone who is looking forward to acquiring either front end development skill or web design skill, you must know exactly what you need to master in order to establish your career. Well, a front end developer must have proficiency over coding. Yes, he/she should be well capable of figuring out the coding languages out there. 

For example,  knowing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python can boost your career a lot if you want to be a front end developer. On the other hand, a web designer needs to be more creative. He/she must have a pretty decent design or graphical knowledge. 

Other than that, it won’t be possible for the web designer to make the websites more aesthetic or user friendly with the help of implementing impressive design. Plus, a web designer should know how to use the design like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator etc. to perform the task of designing comprehensively. 

• Job 

Using the coding languages out there, a front end developer makes sure all performs accurately on a website in the case of impressive user experience. Oftentimes, the front end developer provides valuable data to the web designer so that the web designer can determine what type of design will be suitable for the particular website.

On the other hand, there is not that much technical work a web designer needs to perform. Rather, a web designer needs to be way more creative so that they can come up with the optimized design suitable for all sorts of devices. 

There are different types of web development tasks out there. Front end development is one of the key roles among them. Similarly, a designer’s role is so crucial along with the other roles responsible for website design. But both functional and creative aspects are needed to ensure a proper functioning website. 

• Functionality 

There is a slight difference between the work functionality of a front end developer and a web designer. Yes, web designing should be a concern for a front end developer but they can’t focus directly on web design. Rather, they look after other technical aspects that ensure the website’s performance.

On the other hand, the main focus of a web designer is to ensure the appealing look of the particular websites. Moreover, a web designer spends their time ensuring how a website should appear before the visitors. 

Final Words

Now you’ve a clear idea regarding the difference between front end developer and and web designer. So, when you hire an individual or company related to the services, you now know whom to hire and for what reasons. And only then you can make the most out of the front end web development or web design services. 

In short, both the two roles might seem the same from non-technical angles but there is a difference.