Do Web Designers Do Coding?

Photo by Kevin Ku

Web design is a complex field that involves a wide range of skills and disciplines, including graphic design, user experience (UX) design, and coding. While not all web designers are proficient coders, coding is an essential skill for many web design projects.

In this article, we will explore the relationship between web design and coding and answer the question of whether web designers do coding.

First, let’s define what coding is. Coding, also known as programming, is the process of writing instructions in a language that a computer can understand. There are several programming languages used in web design, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These languages are used to create the structure, style, and functionality of websites.

Web design, on the other hand, involves creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites. This involves designing the layout, selecting fonts and colors, creating images and other visual elements, and ensuring the website’s functionality and UX.

While coding and web design are two separate disciplines, they are also interconnected. Web designers need to have a basic understanding of coding principles to create websites that are functional, accessible, and visually appealing. In some cases, web designers may need to do coding themselves, while in others, they may work alongside a developer to ensure that the website’s design is implemented correctly.

The degree to which web designers do coding varies depending on the project and the designer’s skill set. Some web designers are proficient coders and can create complex websites from scratch using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Others may have a basic understanding of coding principles but rely on website builders or content management systems (CMS) to create websites.

Website builders are tools that allow users to create websites without having to do much coding. These tools typically use a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates to make it easy for users to create websites quickly. While website builders are a great option for those without coding skills, they can be limiting in terms of customization and functionality.

CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal also offer a way for non-coders to create websites. CMS platforms use themes and plugins to customize the website’s design and functionality, without requiring much coding knowledge. While CMS platforms offer more flexibility than website builders, they can still be limiting in terms of customization and may require some coding knowledge to fully customize the website.

Web design and coding are two separate disciplines, but they are also interconnected. While not all web designers are proficient coders, coding is an essential skill for many web design projects. Web designers need to have a basic understanding of coding principles to create websites that are functional, accessible, and visually appealing. In some cases, web designers may need to do coding themselves, while in others, they may work alongside a developer to ensure that the website’s design is implemented correctly. Ultimately, the degree to which web designers do coding varies depending on the project and the designer’s skill set.