What's the difference between a graphic designer and a website designer?

If you you can't answer that then you're not alone. There are thousands of graphic designers out there who don't know either. How many times have you seen adverts from graphic designers, or printers, claiming that, as well as designing fliers, packaging, letter heads, business cards and online graphics, they also design websites?

There is a whole world of difference between the two. Graphic design involves creating images on a page, package or computer monitor. Website design is all about creating something online that will attract people and then persuade them to take an action. Yes it involves creating images that will be seen on a computer screen but it also involves creating a lot more - persuasive copy, a navigation scructure using links carefully designed to steer people through the site to where you want them to go, and content that will persuade search engines to give a prominent listing to the site.

The difference is a bit like the difference between a photographer and a movie director. A photographer creates images. A movie director creates something that uses moving images and sound (dialogue and music), together with a good script, to create an entire experience for the viewer.

Mike Brogan