An architect combines practicality with the artistic vision before actually building any structures. They take in special care to assess your design problems and document the appropriate solutions in the form of drawing and layouts for the clients.
The drawings serve as the reference points for all kinds of construction work way ahead of time. These designs satisfy their own vision, along with the fact of abiding by the regulations and codes by the law. The architects are a skilled professional who coordinates with the work of a structural engineer, interior designer as well as lighting designer.
A general contractor is an expert that works with the subcontractors and the building inspectors to build a construction project. They do not require a degree like the architects, and they mainly deal with the construction work as a whole. In most of the cases, the contractors work closely with the architects for designs and layouts for the construction work.