You’ll receive a lot of odd questions as a graphic artist. You’ve probably heard me ask this question before: “Can you make a dress for me?” Most people outside the design world have yet to learn what graphic designers do. People assume that you can do anything artistically. New designers might find themselves in the same situation when distinguishing between print and web design. Print design and web designing share many similarities but also have many differences. Print and web design share the same design principles but are implemented differently. We’ll look at the similarities and differences between print and web design.
Print Design Consumption Compared to Web Design
It would help to understand how each design type is perceived and consumed. Print design is seen as a tangible item. Print designs include magazines, posters, and flyers. They have invitations, books, billboard signs, graphic T-shirts, and product packaging. Print design can be picked up and viewed in a physical environment. The majority of web design is consumed via a computer or tablet. Web design can be seen in the visual elements of websites, such as buttons and banners. Web design is usually anything that can be viewed on screen. There are always exceptions, just as with any other form of design. Here are a few examples that will give you a basic understanding of print and web design differences.
How users experience print design compared to web design
Print design and web design are different in the user experience. Print design is experienced in the real world. People can hold a magazine, walk up to an advertisement or wear a shirt with a beautiful design. Physical items can be more intimate and unique to some people. People feel a connection with tangible things. Web design is the opposite of print design. You can only interact with web design by touching a device such as a tablet or a smartphone. You can exchange the tactile experience of holding a physical object for an immersive, interactive web design. You can create interactive things with web design. Users can click a button or change the size to learn more about products. Print design and web design both have advantages and disadvantages. There is no better option than the other. Both are two sides of one coin.
Print Design Content vs. Web Design
Print design and web design also have different content creation. Print designs are usually measured in centimeters or inches, while web designs are measured in pixels. Standard print designs are 300 PPI, while web content is 72. Print designs are higher in PPI because they want a crisp and clean result after printing. Web design is geared towards smaller screens and smaller file sizes. As computers, smartphones, and tablets improve, they can now handle higher-resolution graphics.
In many cases, the 72 PPI standard is no longer relevant. File size also becomes less important as most people now have unlimited access to high-speed internet. Web design has been transformed by technological advances in the last 20 years.
Other things to consider when designing your document besides setting the PPI. In print design, your finished product is static. A physical product cannot be changed or updated instantly. Ensure that your chosen plan effectively communicates your message without adding extra items. Buttons and navigation do not work in a physical design. You can use interactivity in web design but cannot control the screen size and viewing conditions. Unlike a physical item, you can’t control the lighting or the environment in a way that best presents your design. You need to ensure your plan will work in different situations and environments.
Print and web design are two different things. Print design happens in the real world, while web design is digital. It would help if you always used sound design principles, no matter which platform you are designing for. Listening to your clients and following the standards of the design medium will result in a successful outcome for web and print designers.
