In order to explain how it is possible for a graphic and web designer to work together it is first necessary to give a definition of each job. A graphic designer in this case is a designer who creates adverts for on and off line as well as website layouts. The graphic designer in this case has no HTML or CSS coding ability and is providing a web developer/designer with a finished image of how a website will look.

A web designer in this case is someone who can design a website layout and then build the website in HTML and CSS. So why hire a graphic designer who is unable to put together the website that he or she has designed? There are a number of reasons but here's one. Web designers when designing a website will have a general idea of how they are going to create their design in code. This can make it easier for them to create the site but it can lead to more formulaic designs. Not that a website design needs to push the envelope of what's gone before, in a lot of cases it is best to have a familiar design for usability purposes. The benefit that a non coding designer can bring is that of no code baggage. The graphic designer doesn't have to worry too much about how a certain layout will be realised which can free him or her up to be more creative. The web developer then has to find a way to realise the designers vision which can stretch his or her skills also.

The following process can help in getting to the glorious sign off period on a website project.

The design meeting: The design meeting is where the designer, developer and client meet to discuss the aims of the website and to understand what is required from the client. The client will be the one saying yay or nay to all designs and the finished product so it is important to get a grasp on what kind of design elements the client is looking for. After the initial design meeting a sitemap will be agreed to determine what pages will be required within the site and what paths the navigation will take.

An initial grey box model will be completed and sent to the client which will display how the layout will look. The grey box model utilises grey boxes instead of graphics. Its purpose is to give an idea of the layout without having to design it. It means that the client can decide on a layout without being swayed by graphics or text. Once the grey box model is approved the designer can start to add graphics and text to the layout.

Once the design is finalised with the client the job of turning it into a website will begin. This point is where the graphic designers role ends and the web developers starts. The design will be handed over to the developer who will cut it up and turn it into a website using HTML and CSS.