Web design and development have evolved alongside the internet itself. Initially straightforward, website creation now encompasses a complex ecosystem, making it challenging for designers to define their specific place. This article clarifies the key stages of website creation, outlining individual roles, including yours, and the necessary skill sets.
What is web design and development?
The term "web design and development" broadly refers to the creation of websites. As the name implies, this field integrates two primary skill sets: web design, concerned with the visual presentation and user interface, and web development, which addresses the site's operational aspects.
Over the approximately thirty years following the inception of the first website, a significant number of job titles have arisen to categorize the diverse skill sets involved in website creation, and this trend continues annually. These titles often exhibit overlap, and their specific interpretations can differ across organizations, creating a potentially complex and confusing environment.
Front-end and back-end development
For simplicity, we can divide website creation into two key aspects: the user-facing elements and the underlying infrastructure.
The visible aspects of a website, rendered within a browser, are the result of design and front-end development. Web design establishes the aesthetic framework, including color palettes, layout structures, typography, and imagery, all contributing to a website's brand identity and user experience. Tools such as Photoshop, Figma, and Sketch are commonly employed in this phase. Front-end development then involves implementing these designs using coding languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript, which enable interactive features such as buttons, images, text display, contact forms, and navigation menus. Furthermore, these technologies are essential for achieving responsive and adaptive design principles.
The server-side operations of a website, invisible to the user, fall under the domain of back-end development. A website's back end is crucial for the storage and organization of all data originating from the front end. Consequently, when a user engages with front-end elements such as making a purchase or completing a form, the submitted information is ultimately stored within a database located on the server.
Elements of web design
The layout of a website encompasses the structural organization of its header, navigation menu, footer, content areas, and graphical elements. The specific configuration is determined by the website's objectives and the web designer's desired user engagement. As an illustration, a photography-focused website would likely feature prominent imagery, while an editorial platform would emphasize textual content and typographic considerations.
To ensure users can easily find what they need on a website, visual hierarchy is crucial. This involves intentionally making certain aesthetic elements—like size, color, and spacing—more prominent to guide the user's eye.
Website navigation is the system that allows users to traverse the site, employing tools such as site architecture, menus, and search functionalities. Well-designed navigation facilitates efficient and straightforward access to desired information.
Color plays a significant role in establishing a website's character, enhancing its distinctiveness, and providing visual cues for user interaction. The selection of a color palette may be dictated by an existing brand identity or the subject matter of the website, exemplified by the use of green tones on this plant-focused site. Maintaining a consistent color palette is crucial for creating visual order within a website.
The visual elements of a website, encompassing logos, icons, and images, are referred to as graphics. Their design and selection should be complementary to the site's color palette, layout structure, and textual content.
The degree to which a website is accessible dictates its inclusivity. By making accessibility a key consideration, websites can ensure equitable access and functionality for all users, regardless of their abilities.
Creating a Web experience
With the growing centrality of online interactions, ensuring a compelling and engaging web experience is crucial for user retention. Figma's digital product design platform provides a unified workflow, giving your team everything they need to design remarkable online experiences from initial concept to final execution. Maintain consistency and scale creativity with Design System Manager, your team's single source of truth.
