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The relationship between web design and web development is like that between architecture and construction. One focus on the appearance details such as layout, colors, interaction between links and other appearance related issues to do with a website or application, and the other focus on the how-to part of the process, including the method of implementation, the functionality and the programming of the website or application.

Web design involves a lot of imagination and creativity. The designer must be able to meet with the clients, understand their needs and priorities and come up with an idea that will suit the client's application or business. They must take time to analyze the colors and the layout in accordance to how the client market themselves, their organization values, and the 'wishlists' they may already have in mind.

For example, web designing for Coca Cola, a world-wide known brand, would need to take color and brand image into consideration. The dominant color of the brand is red, so the designer would need to take care not to suggest a website or application with a dominant color blue. The brand's lively and young image means the design of the website will need to be youthful and vibrant. This could include video clips, stars that jump in and out of the texts or exciting graphics that will appeal to a younger crowd.

Web development involves taking the ideas and design from web design, and actually implement the request. The developers may need to engage the designers in the initial process, analyzing the desired design and discussing if the requested designs are feasible or not. Some designers may have too much expectation for the technology and may end up requesting something that is artistically great but functionally incapable and the developers will need to decide how they can create and alter the design without impacting the overall look and feel of the website or application too much.

For example, once the above web design for Coca Cola has been completed and accepted by the customer, the designer will bring the documents and specifications to the developers. The developers will look it through, decide what is do-able and what need to be renegotiated, and eventually, implement the actual technical solution behind the design. The developers does not have to know why certain colors are used as long as they follow the request. The developer may request to meet with the customer with the designer to discuss anything that is beyond the call of technology and renegotiable a more suitable way to present their website.

Web design and web development often need to work closely to ensure a client's wishes are fulfilled, however their roles do differ significantly and often work on completely different parts of the projects. Just like an architect with its constructors, one works on the appearance, the other, works on the foundation.

Learn more about this author, Amy Huang.
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