[gereem]

I've been itching to ask this question but didn't because I feel like doing both anyways, but I couldn't find a single web page answering this question from google so here it goes: Is it possible as a freelancer to be both a web designer and developer?

I know I enjoy art and would have fun being involved in the design aspect, at the same time I'm passionate about being able to connect people from different places through the internet and I feel like I can accomplish more for that goal if I go into programming.

If I absolutely have to choose between the two, I decided I would choose programming, but for now I'm studying css and photoshop before my four month web developer certificate course begins next month. (I've been self studying full-time for the last three months focusing on css and photoshop).

My plan was (in terms of programs and languages) to master photoshop, css, javascript, php, and mysql. It seemed that as developers, knowing just php as opposed to knowing all of java and perl and whatnot seemed doable and from the design perspective, being proficient at photoshop was enough while not having to know flash and illustrator.

I do feel like I'm targeting myself to become a jack of all trades being involved in both sides, and having a possible chance of sucking at some of them. (I'm planning on working as a freelancer since I'm good at the networking stuff, and hence I won't necessarily have to learn perl or ruby unnecessarily). I'm really wondering if this is possible or if in this day and age, I should just sacrifice one and focus on just one profession.

Do some of you guys do both designing and developing? (from looking at portfolios, I only found a handful that did both so far) If so, how do you find it compared to working on just one side? If not, would you recommend someone to try it or would you suggest I just choose one side?

I realize the web gets more complicated as time goes on and it may not be a feasible idea anymore to be involved in both areas, but I really like design as well and if possible would like to do both (I know it's possible, but I'm wondering if it's going to be effective as a career). What do you guys think?

Thanks so much in advance

[Anxious]

I think you've answered your own question there.

There's no harm in having a good grounding in both design and development, but it sounds like you're more of a programmer at heart.

You can do both if you want to, I started out trying to do both myself. I like the programming side of things, but my talents (if you can call them that) are more in design and front-end.

It sounds like you're at the beginning of your career - get a grounding in both design and development and see where you end up.

[Maerk]

It's very rare to find someone who's excellent at both (you tend to be subpar at both if it's split equally).

But as Anxious said you're under no pressure to focus on one or the other at the start, your strengths generally become clearer with time. And it'll be useful to either path to have an understanding (even if relatively basic) of the other.

[Shiro]

The guilds don't allow it. You need to be one or the other.

[steamsmyclams]

I think it's good to have an understanding of both fields whichever way you eventually choose to go. If you choose to become a developer, but have a design background, you'll be able to think with the design in mind and vice versa. I often get frustrated with developers who've got such a linear mind about the backend but don't consider the front end.

[Timus]

Yeah, I think so. I have worked as both for some big agencies, though my programming was xhtml and css and I only ever followed someone else's lead with things like .php. But I have been doing this since the mid 90's when programmers worked on computer programs, not internet applications so you had to do both if if you wanted to work.

[Derek Smalls]

I don't see why not. I don't understand when people say you can't be good at both.It's two things that are closey related since they're in the same field. Can you be a good web designer and a good cook? I'm sure most people are good at more than one thing. I have been into art since I was a bairn...everthing from pencils to watercolours, to deluxe paint on the Amiga to sculpting which eventually lead to a career in graphic design which lead to web design. I have also been into programming since the old ZX spectrum days and had an obsession with all things technical which of course leads to my php side. The same goes with music - I had a decent career as a guitarist for a few years and play to a very high standard. However....in the kitchen, I struggle to make a slice of toast, I can't work the washing machine and if not for my girlfriend, my garden would be an overgrown mess.

What I is trying to say is, you can be good at owt you want! As long as you find it interesting or enjoyable or both!

[Cnut]

Both design and development have creative and technical sides-I fail to make the distinction; the idea that the two are unrelated/nonsymbiotic is one presented by a third type of mindset which is neither.

We're all indoctrinated by the system-to some extent-to believe that we are one or the other, it's called education...

Anyway, do what you love, the rest will follow.

[CharmingMan]

I know of only a handful of gifted creatives who are able to do both very well.

IMO it's best sticking to one of the other

[7twelve]

sure

some people in the motion graphics field prove so

[jesusfreak101]

I agree with most people that it's rare to find both an excellent coder & designer. I currently work at a small firm and have to do both development and design. Design isn't my expertise, but I give it my best and so far it's going good. But i prefer to stick with development. Still have to sharpen my design skills but it's not my main focus. Best to follow one and have the other tag along if that is what you want.

[Shiro]

Originally Posted by Cnut

We're all indoctrinated by the system-to some extent-to believe that we are one or the other, it's called education...

I'm indoctrinated by the fact that I'm a fucking horrible designer. Pretty confident in my coding abilities though.

[Cnut]

Originally Posted by Shiro

I'm indoctrinated by the fact that I'm a fucking horrible designer. Pretty confident in my coding abilities though.

Ok, but why is that? Do you believe that you have some innate ability or bias towards the technical or did some fucker nick your crayons?

[Shiro]

I don't have the innate design ability. I can say that much. I just don't have a good sense of what is right and wrong.

As for programming, I have a very developed spacial ability (I actually scored in the top 1 percentile in the country in standardized tests back in my school days), so programming comes easily to me - I can 'see' how everything fits together.

[josh.sadler]

I think design and coding use to different parts of the brain. Design being creative and coding being analytical or mathematical. The two do cross at times and some may be gifted in both, but I find that I am more of a designer and the coding is second nature.

I'd advise you to do what you enjoy and excel in it.

[stealthcow]

There's nothing stopping you...

In my career I've been a HTML coder, designer, programmer, internet marketer, project manager, director and having experience in these different areas will make you a much more rounded person when it comes to thinking about a project

My designs wouldn't win awards and my programming wouldn't make people weak at the knees with it's brilliance, but depending on where you want to go with your career, having a good understanding of design and programming concepts will take you a long way. Programmers will appreciate your designs if you're thinking like they do and designers will love you if you don't break their design when building it.

If you choose to go down the management route, then having a knowledge of how things work will make your life a lot easier in terms of explaining briefs to programmers and designers (as well as explaining concepts to clients and other people in the working world).

[7twelve]

Originally Posted by josh.sadler

I think design and coding use to different parts of the brain.

that is the common thinking.

never had a problem with it personally...maybe i'm just special, or have adhd that has gone unchecked (i actually blame/thank my parents )

one thing i will say tho, is if you're looking at picking up the creative aspect later in life without a foundation previous - it will probably be a lot harder to get a grasp, at least in relation to marketable skill. Programming is highly analytic and can be learned for the most part (at least in what I'm thinking you're talking about) - it isn't really an inherit talent, outside of problem solving and general thought process.

doubt i'm explaining that well at all tho

[Pacey]

I think it's possible to be good at both, yes - I think if you choose to specialise in programming you'll certainly be a better coder than the guy who can design, too, but I think anyone who designs for web needs a solid understanding of development, certainly practical CSS/XHTML ability. You'd also want to know what current frameworks are capable of, particularly anything that relates to interaction design and UX.

I think many of us started in this game when there was no distinction between web designer and web developer - it was a given you'd do both jobs. Things have certainly changed over the years.

If you want to maximise your earning potential, you'd probably be best off going the programming route.

[d*d]

Originally Posted by josh.sadler

I think design and coding use to different parts of the brain. Design being creative and coding being analytical or mathematical. The two do cross at times and some may be gifted in both.

That fucking irritates me, using some hokey brain hemisphere theory to pigeon hole people. It's a stereotype forced on us in school, your encouraged to be good at maths/science and if that fails your creatively inclined.

You can be both analytical and creative, it's not an either/or scenario

[Tom]

some relevant and recent thoughts here

Elliot Jay Stocks » Web designers who can’t code