Web Design or Graphic Design ?

One of the most frustrating things for me within design is my seemingly misplaced sense of job title. What I just don’t get is why a web designer is different than a graphic designer? Other than the mediums being used, what is the real difference and what do multi-discipline designers like me refer to themselves as? The only solution that I have come up with so far is the title of Art Director, which while true in my case but is really just a way to avoid the problem. The title is also very vague towards those who know nothing about our industry. In the past I have even been asked if I work at a museum when I tell people what I do.

Why is a web designer not a graphic designer?

What is the distinction that keeps a web designer from being labeled a graphic designer as well. Why is it that “graphic designers,” in the context they are referred to, are not “print designers?” In a logical world, both web designers and print designers would belong to the parent category of “graphic designer.” This is at least the way that I look at it. Are both disciplines not the practice of graphic design, just separated by medium?

Why does the medium make the designer

I may be an “art director,” but I will always be a graphic designer, regardless of what medium I am currently working in. I think the distinctions being drawn between what type of designer you may be is good for defining a niche, but at what cost? There are numerous articles floating around the web debating what designers should call themselves or others that go against titles all together, but people use them to quickly understand what we do.

How the titles affect pay

For whatever reason if I am a starting designer and I refer to myself as a web designer, I am potentially qualified to receive roughly $10,000 (Coroflot survey) more than my “graphic designer” peers. Individuals like me who work within both mediums are then forced to decide between choosing to be called a web designer (and potentially giving up print work) or forgoing the increased salary that it entails.

The negative connotations surrounding web design

When I was in design school it was apparent that not many of the students wanted to be web designers. The negative connotations surrounding web design included a perceived notion of lack of creativity in the medium, extreme technical limitations, and the idea that you would be more of a developer or programmer than a designer. While some individuals such as me enjoy web design, many seek to avoid the title in order to pursue the more “creative” formats such as poster design or identity work. Either way it seems like there is a large prejudice against the medium present amongst design students, which in and of itself may be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I however will not be giving up the medium.
For the time being, my fellow multi-discipline designers and I will continue to struggle with an accurate job title. I’m just looking to find a suitable description of my service within this time of rapid development and innovation. Until then I will continue to refer to myself as an art director to those within the industry, and a graphic designer to those who are not familiar with our industry.
If you are in a similar situation what is your solution? Is there something that I am missing or am I just concerned with something most people don’t care about?