Design
Development
Career
Web Design vs Web Development:
The Real Difference in 2025
Soheil Sohrabi
Oct 30, 2025
6 min read
Confused about Web Design and Web Development? You're not alone. Here's the complete breakdown — with visuals, skills, salaries, and career paths.
Web Design
The visual artist of the web. Focuses on look, feel, and user experience.
- Figma, Adobe XD
- Color theory & typography
- UI/UX principles
- User research
Web Development
The engineer of the web. Turns designs into functional websites.
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- React, Vue, Node.js
- APIs & databases
- Performance & security
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Web Designer | Web Developer | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Aesthetics & UX | Functionality & Code |
| Tools | Figma, Sketch, Photoshop | VS Code, Git, Terminal |
| Output | Mockups, prototypes | Live, working websites |
| Skills | Creativity, empathy | Logic, problem-solving |
| Salary (2025) | $70K–$120K | $80K–$150K |
Key Skills for Each Role
Web Design Skills
UI/UX Design
95%
Figma Mastery
90%
Color & Typography
88%
Web Development Skills
JavaScript
92%
React / Vue
87%
APIs & Backend
80%
“Great design without development is a painting. Great development without design is a machine. Together? They’re a product people love.”
— Soheil Sohrabi
Which Should You Choose?
Love Creativity?
→ Start with Web Design
Love Logic?
→ Start with Web Development
Love Both?
→ Become a Full-Stack Designer
Ready to start your journey? Read my guide:
From Idea to Launch: Build Your First Website in 7 Days