I’m often asked to recommend a designer. I will recommend a visual designer and not a front-end developer. Why? There is a difference between these two professions.
A designer creates a complete visual branding and online presence for a client, including websites, logos, print and online media, advertising, swag, and more. The designs flow through all different types of mediums to create a consistent branding and visual package.
A designer focuses his/her talent on the visual presentation, those cues which draw you in and tempt you to explore further. S/he focuses on a balance between the visual and actionable, the artistry of the piece, the placement of components, blending of colors, textures, symmetry, and balance as well as the flow as you move through the site. A designer is not concerned about the code and typically doesn’t think in CSS, JavaScript, or PHP. No, this person thinks in the visual and how to tempt the viewer into exploring more. S/he thinks about the user experience, but from a visual perspective.
A front-end developer thinks in user experience too as well as the visual presentation, but with the focus and perspective centered on the code itself. This person can do some visual work, but not to the level of a designer. While s/he may design logos from time-to-time, the core strength is in the code.
A designer thinks in shapes, textures, balance, color, and symmetry. A front-end developer thinks in border-radius, background-image, color, float, and flexbox.
There are similarities too. Both the designer and front-end developer are problem-solvers. They both focus on the user’s experience and the look and style of the website. However, they take different approaches to solving the problems: one through the graphics and the other through the code.
Smart Business Tip: Pair Up
When a client comes to you and asks if you are a designer, be clear of the difference. Ask questions to ensure you are representing yourself properly.
Better yet, pair up. If you are a designer, pair up with a front-end developer. If you are a developer, pair up with a designer. The combination will accelerate both of your businesses and is a win-win for both you and your clients. Why? Because you are providing two different professions and disciplines to your clients by maximizing and focusing both of your core strengths.
Very Few Can Do Both Exceptionally Well
Now can a person do both? Absolutely. However, very few can be strong and exceptional in both professions. These two disciplines are very different and take a different mindset. Typically you are better at the visuals than the code or visa versa.
Focus
Focus. Marshall and harness your talents. You will be amazed at the doors that will open and the possibilities before you when you do. Trying to be too many things or a jack-of-all-trades pulls you in too many directions; ultimately, something is going to suffer because you just can’t be awesome in everything. Pick the area where that you are passionate about, is natural to you, and you dream about. That is where you need to focus your energies.
Who Do I Recommend?
I have a handful of talented designers that I recommend depending upon the needs of the client, including:
This is very succinct way to explain the difference. Of course there are those who do both but I think you made an very important distinction. I do think of how to solve the problem visually first which is why I am a “Designer who knows how to code” vs a “Developer who designs”. Design (aesthetics and visuals) is my main focus. Some argue you can’t do both well but I think a lot of us know our limitations or at least we should 😉
I am actually a developer turned designer.
It was my coding skills that helped me transition into UX Design.
The best part of knowing is that, lot of times we directly prototype ideas in HTML instead of going through the entire design process.
I lately created a React prototype using Ant.Design Framework.