Comments on: More than just a title

By: Dara Williams

Dara Williams — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:30:56 +0000

This is such a funny subject. I am a web designer, I understand basic code, but would not say that I am a developer. The other thing is that I’ve had clients and some family members not understand that while I work on a computer, I cannot fix their technical computer problems.

By: Jon Liebold

Jon Liebold — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:38:46 +0000

Good idea. I might have to refer to myself as that once my skillset grows more (crosses fingers XML class will fly and the dean will let the jQuery class go in the Spring)

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:12:03 +0000

That’s one I reckon the vast majority of clients won’t know about, Jon (web designer, web developer). If I’m recommending someone to a client for online work, I normally refer to them as a “web specialist” or “web guru.”

By: Mark McCorkell

Mark McCorkell — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:03:35 +0000

I know exactly what you mean, David! Titles can be misleading and confusing for clients. I write a similar article recently, because I sit somewhere between Web Designer and Graphic Designer, and I love doing both. It’s not easy to find one title though that covers everything that you do.

However, I guess the lesson here is just make sure you can live to up whatever title you bestow upon yourself!

By: Jon Liebold

Jon Liebold — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 22:22:41 +0000

Another one that causes some confusion is “Web Designer” versus “Web Developer”. While the two titles encompass a lot of overlap, I would not consider someone who does a layout in Photoshop and ships it off to be coded a Web Developer. They are a designer. The one who does all the coding based on the PSD file is the Developer. However someone who does both the design and the coding is both.

In the same vein though, it is kind of fun to see what sort of job titles people come up with these days for the sake of appearances. One of my favorites is how “engineer” gets tacked onto everything. For example if you have a stay-at-home parent they no longer are a “homemaker” but now are a “Domestic Engineer”.

By: karl escritt

karl escritt — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:41:07 +0000

Interesting post David, I think titles will only become more confusing as the web brings more and more formats on which design is needed. I am a web designer but even this can be confusing to some clients as it doesnt really say everything that you may do.

By: Jarrod Bell

Jarrod Bell — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:56:22 +0000

That’s an excellent point, and indeed some titles can confuse clients. When I used to call my self a freelancer most people just expected a pixel pusher, so I started using “Design Consultant”. Then I had one potential client ask if I know any graphic designers. So now I’m just a Graphic Designer and if people ask I say I work Independent.

Jarrod Bell