General Discussions

**Galaxian** · 08-10-2008, 10:30 AM

This may be a clash in terminology in some peoples books, but my question to you is; what do you consider yourself - a Web Designer or Webmaster? Why?

In my books, a Web Designer is a person who designs and puts together the design in code and a Webmaster is a person who runs websites. What do you think?

This is just a thread that came into my mind.

**serandfae** · 08-10-2008, 12:34 PM

The short answer to that is that a Web Designer handles the form, a Web Developer handles the function, and a Webmaster uses templates for his Dungeons and Dragons blog, making sure to use the term Webmaster throughout.

But if you look through job listings these days, employers don't even know the distinction between designer and developer.

tim

**The-Pixel** · 08-10-2008, 03:31 PM

I would consider myself to be a Web Designer. But, I'm currently employed as head administrator at http://www.thehosted.com

**lovekissing** · 08-10-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serandfae

The short answer to that is that a Web Designer handles the form, a Web Developer handles the function, and a Webmaster uses templates for his Dungeons and Dragons blog, making sure to use the term Webmaster throughout.

But if you look through job listings these days, employers don't even know the distinction between designer and developer.

tim

oh at first i thought that a webmaster do things which a web developer and a web designer does...

**serandfae** · 08-10-2008, 07:51 PM

Well, I think many have come to the conclusion that the term webmaster has become dated, and was overused in years past. So, although even this forum uses the term, as do many educational programs, fewer and fewer describe themselves as webmasters.

Many educational programs make the distinction that a Web Designer primarily handles the client side, ie layout, coding and graphics, while developers focus more on server-side functionality. However, few human resource departments recognize that distinction, so one browsing employment opportunities is bound to find, more often than not, ads calling for web designers who really want developers.

I think that anyone who wants to succeed in IT needs to know both the design and development aspects, but I think as well that HR people need to understand that a successful IT department needs both designers and developers, not the the jack of all trades, master of none. There's designers I'd never trust to put together a database, and developers who couldn't come up with an attractive, user-friendly layout to save their souls.

tim

**jv17** · 08-14-2008, 07:15 AM

ill go for web designer because for sure he/she also knows how to run a website..

**seomax** · 08-14-2008, 07:56 AM

webmaster is a person who gives a way to market a site which was made by web designer

**DaveMo~** · 08-14-2008, 09:47 AM

A webmaster always follows the rules, like sig rules:

Quote:

The maximum number of lines is 3 with a maximum text size of 2. The line count includes empty lines for spacing.

Oh, I'm sorry, that's Webmaster-Talk members.

Well, let this be a reminder to everyone to check your sig and make it legal by the number of lines and text size. Abusing the sig rules will get your sig privileges removed. Thanks.

Dave

**angele803** · 08-14-2008, 03:25 PM

Its interesting to see everyones different definitions of web designer/web developer/ webmaster. Employers or people who just need a website, really have no idea what the differences are. I hate when I see a job posted for a web designer and list in the skill requirements things like "php, asp, sql, java, javascript". Or when a Developer is required to know Photoshop and Illustrator.

Anyway, My take is this:
A Web designer plans how a website will look and how it will function. They also make it look pretty. They also design graphics and elements that will be on a web page. I don't think a web designer is really responsible for the code, but I know a lot of "true" web designers at least know HTML and CSS. I think it is good for a designer to know HTML and CSS, because it helps them design pages that make sense from a coding standpoint.

A web developer is the coding and programming person. I think they handle things such as Javascript and server side programming like PHP or ASP. They also handle HTML and CSS (even if the designer coded their layout).

I agree that "webmaster" is kind of an outdated term. It is difficult to be the master of the web these days.

I think, the term describes a person who does a little of everything. Someone who can make graphics, design layouts, code and program. They probably aren't the best at all these skills, but they know a little about them all.

With what I described, I guess I would be considered a webmaster. My job title though is "web specialist". Maybe that is a more modern term for webmaster????

**Malakai** · 08-14-2008, 04:02 PM

I am a Web Designer, Webmaster, Web Developer, Web Marketer, Web Pimp, I'm everything because it all means nothing...You can call yourself what you want, but you are what you are because you do what you do.

**Dairyman** · 08-14-2008, 09:58 PM

I consider my self as a webmaster *** designer because I am adept in handling both the functions.