What is the difference between web developer or web software engineer?

How common is it for an Interaction Designer to become a Web Developer or Software Engineer?

• It seems like it may be more common for the opposite career path to occur, but are there many successful designers that have become successful developers? Do the skills that come with programming take longer to develop than for designers? Specific names are helpful, but  products that were designed/developed by a single hybrid designer/developer are great, too.

• Answer:

  In my experience, these have tended to be mostly separate disciplines, though I'd suggest that is beginning to change. Historically, software interaction design has been commonly represented via wireframes, though I've seen prototyping a design as becoming more prevalent over the last couple of years. As such, I've seen designers becoming more and more familiar with web technologies, browser inconsistencies, and coding. In regard to length of time to develop respective skills, I'm sure that members of either group would suggest that there really is no end to a person's learning. Going to school to obtain these skills may require similarly intensive coursework, but real world application of your knowledge will adjust what you focus on. As an example; if you freelance, your role may require you to work daily as both designer and developer, whereas if you work as part of a larger company, your area of responsibility would limit your scope. To answer your question on commonality, it really does depend on you; what you're looking for, and the work you find yourself doing on a regular basis. I don't see many people moving from a purely design focus to a purely development focus, but that I think is a symptom of each person's career path, and a tendency for deep expertise in their area.