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Web designer vs visual designer

The differences between web designers and visual designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a web designer and a visual designer. Additionally, a visual designer has an average salary of $86,495, which is higher than the $63,842 average annual salary of a web designer.

The top three skills for a web designer include HTML, CSS and wordpress. The most important skills for a visual designer are sketch, visual design, and graphic design.

Web designer vs visual designer overview

Web DesignerVisual Designer
Yearly salary$63,842$86,495
Hourly rate$30.69$41.58
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs50,89946,815
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a web designer do?

A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients. To create graphics, colors, and fonts, web designers usually use HTML coding to alter the website's layout. Web designers must build their portfolio by taking on unique projects for themselves and the people they know.

What does a visual designer do?

A visual designer is someone who creates designs for a variety of platforms such as Internet and intranet sites, games, and wearables. The duties of visual designers depend on the specific project or industry in which they are working. Duties include creating user-centered interaction models, working with information technology and business teams to resolve complex issues, and designing logos, icons, and infographics. The qualifications to become a visual designer include possessing strong problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills and obtaining a bachelor's degree in design.

Web designer vs visual designer salary

Web designers and visual designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Web DesignerVisual Designer
Average salary$63,842$86,495
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $96,000Between $51,000 And $143,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Bruno, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyNVIDIAByteDance
Best paying industryInternetStart-up

Differences between web designer and visual designer education

There are a few differences between a web designer and a visual designer in terms of educational background:

Web DesignerVisual Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Web designer vs visual designer demographics

Here are the differences between web designers' and visual designers' demographics:

Web DesignerVisual Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 62.3% Female, 37.7%Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between web designer and visual designer duties and responsibilities

Web designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of 3 web developers in creating high-end websites that focuse on animation and aggressive marketing.
  • Manage prototype content in wireframes when necessary.
  • Manage and develop a stream line Intranet site for better communication purposes and quicker access to documents and company information
  • Self-Initiat training to increase ability to build sites using HTML5, CSS3, secure PHP, and SQL.
  • Perform QA and create Jira tickets when need.
  • Create unique brand logo; continue to use CSS3 to customize website appearance and improve UX
  • Show more

Visual designer example responsibilities.

  • Design, project manage, and build retail stores from sketch to completion.
  • Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
  • Produce and deliver HTML5, CSS3 and graphical items.
  • Design team brand and logo for organization.
  • Provide approved design in HTML5 to web developer for publishing.
  • Utilize expertise in Photoshop CS6, HTML5/CSS, Squarespace, and JavaScript.
  • Show more

Web designer vs visual designer skills

Common web designer skills
  • HTML, 7%
  • CSS, 7%
  • WordPress, 7%
  • Html Css, 7%
  • JavaScript, 6%
  • UI, 4%
Common visual designer skills
  • Sketch, 19%
  • Visual Design, 8%
  • Graphic Design, 5%
  • UI, 5%
  • User Experience, 4%
  • Visualization, 4%

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