If you’re here, chances are you’ve wondered, “Wait, isn’t web design just graphic design for the internet?” And honestly, I don’t blame you—it’s a fair question.
On the surface, they seem to do the same job: both graphic designers and web designers create things that look good, but their roles go way beyond that.
They focus on entirely different priorities, work with different tools, and bring unique skills to the table. Knowing what each one does (and doesn’t do) is the key to hiring the right person for your project.
So, let’s clear up the confusion once and for all.
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What Is Graphic Design?
Graphic design is all about creating visuals that grab attention, tell a story, or make your brand more memorable. If it’s something you can see and maybe even touch—like a logo, business card, or billboard—that’s graphic design territory.
Graphic designers live in Adobe land. Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are their bread and butter. Plus, they’re pros at color theory, typography, and design principles—basically, everything that makes your brand look like it means business.
What Do Graphic Designers Actually Do?
Think of graphic designers as the visual architects of your brand. Need something to look good? They’re your people. Here’s what their day-to-day might look like:
- Logos & Branding: Crafting your brand’s identity with logos, colors, and typography, so it doesn’t look like your cousin made it in Microsoft Paint.
- Print Design: Designing flyers, brochures, and even packaging. If it’s printed, they’ve probably worked on it.
- Digital Assets: Social media graphics, email headers, and ads—anything digital that needs to look interesting, intentional, and perfectly on-brand.
What Is Web Design?
Web design, on the other hand, is about building an entire digital experience. Web designers don’t just make things look good (though that’s part of it). They map out your web pages, design the layout, and make sure everything flows so visitors can find what they’re looking for (and not rage-quit halfway through).
Web designers spend a lot of time using tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD to create layouts. And if you’re lucky, they might dabble in coding, too (HTML, CSS, and a pinch of JavaScript), to make their designs web-ready.
What Do Web Designers Actually Do?
Web designers create the layouts and structure of a website. Here’s what they’re working on:
- Layouts & Wireframes: Mapping out what goes where on a website.
- Interactive Elements: Buttons, forms, sliders, and other stuff you can click on, type in, or swipe through.
- Responsive Design: Making sure your site looks good and works great on every screen, from a phone to a desktop.
How Are Graphic and Web Design Different?
Alright, here’s where things get interesting. When it comes to skills and principles, graphic and web designers are similar in some ways, but their priorities couldn’t be more different.
Static vs Interactive
Graphic design involves mainly static visual elements—logos, posters, etc. Web design, on the other hand, adds movement. It’s the difference between a cool flyer and a website with buttons you can actually click.
Print vs Digital
Graphic design can be digital, but it often focuses on print media, like business cards or magazine ads. Web design never does–it lives purely in the digital world.
One-and-Done vs Ongoing Updates
Graphic design is usually a “set it and forget it” deal. Web design? It’s a living, breathing thing that needs regular updates to stay functional and relevant.
Tools & Techniques
Graphic designers are the masters of Adobe Suite. Web designers? They’re all about Figma, design systems, and making your site mobile-friendly.
Wondering if you need both for your website?
Not always. If your branding is already dialed in, a web designer can take it from there. But if you’re starting fresh—or looking to level up—a graphic designer can help you create the foundation, like logos, color palettes, and typography.
Since I handle both, we can figure out exactly what you need together. Plus, I’m a web developer, too! I’ve got a blog about it. Read, “Why Hiring One Pro for Web Design & Development Just Makes Sense.”
What Keeps Graphic Designers Up at Night?
When graphic designers work on visuals, these are the things they’re probably thinking about the most (maybe even losing sleep over to get things JUST right!):
Brand Consistency
Your brand should feel like one cohesive story. Graphic designers keep every design—logos, social posts, flyers—aligned with your vibe, so everything feels like you.
Visual Impact
Graphic designers know how to grab attention. They use bold designs, eye-catching layouts, and just the right splash of color to make sure your visuals stick in people’s minds.
Emotion Through Design
Great design makes you feel something, whether it’s trust, excitement, or curiosity. Graphic designers know how to use color, fonts, and layouts to create those emotional connections.
Versatility Across Mediums
Your designs need to work everywhere—online, in print, on swag. Graphic designers make sure everything looks just as good on a tiny phone screen as it does on a giant billboard.
What Keeps Web Designers Up at Night?
Web design and graphic design come with different priorities. Web designers care about making websites look great, work seamlessly, and get results. Here’s what’s always on their radar:
Speed
It’s a web designer’s job to build a speedy site. If it doesn’t load fast, you’ve already lost people. Web designers tackle speed right from the start—trimming down oversized images, keeping visuals lightweight, and steering clear of design fluff that drags things down.
Usability
If visitors can’t figure out your site in five seconds, they’re gone. Web designers make sure your site is easy to use, with clear menus, a logical visual hierarchy, and no “Where do I click?!” moments.
Responsiveness
Your site needs to look awesome everywhere—on phones, tablets, laptops, you name it. Web designers make sure it adapts perfectly, without people having to pinch or zoom in on their device.
Accessibility
A good site works for everyone, no exceptions. Web designers build with accessibility in mind—like checking for proper color contrast and making text readable—so there are no barriers between you and users with additional needs.
Can One Person Do Both Web Design AND Graphic Design?
Sometimes, but it’s not super common.
Most designers specialize in one area—either graphic design or web design. The good news? I handle both.
That means your branding stays consistent from your logo to your website, with no awkward handoffs or mismatched vibes.
Plus, I already know your goals, brand, and style inside and out, so there’s no time wasted on back-and-forth between teams.Whether you need a brand refresh, a new website, or a mix of both, shoot me a message, and let’s get designing!
