What is the difference between layout and artwork

Dear All, Can someone kindly clarify the difference between Artwork and Layout? These terms are used quite often in advertising agencies and I was wonder if they can be used interchangeably? Thanx in advanced. To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up In our business, we separate the roles of layout and design. The person who handles layout doesn't need to be a designer, necessarily, but they do have to have an idea as to where you want the reader's eyes to go.

It's about structuring the document and knowing where the different components need to go. The designer, on the other hand, takes that layout concept and actually, well, "designs" those components. This could be color, fonts, images, artwork, drop shadows, the whole thing. Hope this helps. You just decide on placement, color, size, etc for items you already have. You don't pick typefaces, or color themes, or any of the "overall" visual aspects.

Layout requires you to fit content into a specified theme or schematic. For design you typically create things or find things to use. Such as, you draw a series of icons to use in the layout.

Or you find stock photos and edit them to fit your layout. Design is also where global decisions are made - such as which typefaces will be used, the overall color theme, number of columns, trim size, bindery necessary if any , etc. Most graphic design web or print encompasses layout. However, a layout does not necessarily encompass any design. It's a fine line and this is really just my opinion. There are few, if any, hard rules on what constitutes layout vs design.

They both take a skilled eye when dealing with things like balance, proximity, space, etc. Layout is putting the ingredients together, mixing them, and baking them.

Design is deciding what ingredients are needed and what type of cookie you want to make, how many cookies, how long they should be baked at what temperature, etc. When used distinctly, layout refers to spatial distribution of components: you just need the components' dimension and absolute position in the page to build a layout. In this case of use, design encompasses layout and rest of questions related to desired display.

The layout is done keeping to the rules that were decided at the time of the design. Layout can include rewriting a headline so it fits in better or cropping a photo, but is unlikely to include choosing the typeface. I am a landscape architect, and have to design in 3D as well as graphically. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top.

Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. What is the difference between layout and design? Ask Question. Asked 6 years, 2 months ago. Active 9 months ago. Viewed 40k times. Improve this question. Zach Saucier Shadat Shadat 1 1 gold badge 1 1 silver badge 4 4 bronze badges.

Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. They are really closely related. So, really they can be almost interchangeable. Improve this answer. Scott Scott k 20 20 gold badges silver badges bronze badges.