There is some debate as to what makes a true web designer. However, for brevity and I personally feel accurate clarification, a web designer is that person(s) who, after accessing a clients needs, design a layout (also doing the graphics is included in a lot of defintions) and put said layout into an uploadable web page. Now, I've seen a lot of folks who believe that you're not a web designer if you haven't included a shopping cart, reply forms, etc.. If you have met the clients needs for a site and that site is approved by the client, then you're a web designer. We haven't discussed quality. As for programs, I know two full-time web designers who use nothing more than the latest version of FrontPage. I know another who swears by DreamWeaver. And I settle for TextPad.
Web Design is the art and process of creating a single Web page or entire Web sites and may involve both the aesthetics and the mechanics of a Web site's operation although primarily it focuses on the look and feel of the Web site - the design elements. We use Notepad, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash, Adobe Photoshop, and others.