From Beginner to Senior: How to Build a Career in Web Design in 2 Years

Web design has long ceased to be a niche field — it is one of the most in-demand and rapidly developing areas of the digital world. Especially in Europe, including Slovenia, where startups, online services, and creative agencies are booming, the demand for talented web designers is only growing. However, it’s often said that the path from beginner to senior takes many years. In practice, with the right approach, determination, and structured effort, it’s possible to reach a high level in just two years. In this article, we’ll explain in detail how to achieve that.

Where to Begin: First Steps as a Newbie
The journey into web design begins with understanding its essence. It’s not just about “creating beautiful websites” as many people think. Web design is a combination of aesthetics, user experience (UX), technology, and business goals. A beginner should start by learning the fundamentals: the structure of web pages, UX/UI principles, visual hierarchy, and responsive design. At this stage, it’s crucial to choose the right tools — Figma is currently the industry standard, used by both startups and international IT companies.
It’s recommended to take beginner-level courses — either online (such as Coursera, Udemy, Domestika) or through local educational platforms, many of which offer content in Slovenian. Within the first few months, you should begin building a portfolio — even if it consists of student projects. A portfolio is the main tool for a web designer, and employers and clients will always refer to it.

The First Year: Intensive Growth and Practice
After mastering the basics, the most important stage begins — gaining practical experience. It’s essential not only to continue learning but to immediately apply knowledge in practice. This can include freelancing, internships, volunteer projects, or creating your own design concepts.
It’s crucial to get involved in real-world tasks: working with briefs, interacting with clients, and adapting designs to meet business goals. The more projects — the better. Don’t shy away from complex tasks: they offer the fastest path to growth.
At the same time, you should develop adjacent skills. For example, basic HTML and CSS — while a designer doesn’t need to be a developer, understanding code helps in working more effectively with the front-end team. It’s also valuable to learn about design systems, components, typography, grid layouts, and animation.
By the end of the first year, a web designer should feel confident in a junior position. At this point, the portfolio should include at least 4–5 diverse projects: landing pages, mobile app interfaces, e-commerce platforms, and ideally one large-scale project with full UX development.

The Second Year: The Path to Mid-Level and Senior
The transition from junior to mid-level designer is not just about skills — it’s about mindset. You need to start seeing the product as a whole, think strategically, justify your design choices, and align your work with user needs and business logic. At this stage, the designer is no longer just “drawing interfaces” but solving business and user problems.
The second year should be packed with practice: real projects, teamwork, and feedback from experienced colleagues. A great way to grow is by participating in international design competitions, hackathons, and collaborative projects. Slovenia’s digital landscape is vibrant, and there are plenty of agencies and IT companies open to new talent.
Communication becomes crucial: working with product managers, developers, and marketers requires active listening, negotiation, and clear articulation of ideas. For a senior designer, this is a core skill.
It’s also important to get deeper into analytics — studying metrics, conducting A/B tests, and understanding how design influences user behavior. This is what sets apart a mature professional from a mere executor.
By the end of the second year, with high dedication and consistent practice, a designer can not only hold a solid mid-level position but may even receive offers for senior-level roles. Especially if they’ve worked on commercial projects, received real client feedback, and perhaps even presented a case study at a professional meetup or design conference.

Web Design Career Landscape in Slovenia
Slovenia is an excellent country to start and grow a career in web design. The country has a strong presence of digital agencies, growing startups, and offices of international IT companies. For a beginner designer, this means a wide range of opportunities: from freelancing and remote work to positions in studios and corporations.
The Slovenian market values professionals who can work in teams, possess a good visual sense, and have an analytical mindset. Fluency in English and active participation in international design communities open doors to projects worldwide.
It’s also worth noting that Slovenia has a high level of digital literacy among businesses, creating a healthy demand for quality UX/UI. Many companies understand that thoughtful design is not just about looks — it’s a tool for growth and a competitive edge.

Conclusion: Staying on Track
Building a career from beginner to senior level in two years is an ambitious but achievable goal. It requires discipline, effort, continuous learning, adaptability, soft skills, and critical thinking.
Don’t fear mistakes — they’re part of the process. Surround yourself with a professional community, learn from the best, ask questions, and share your experiences. A successful designer is always someone who never stops growing.
If you’re just starting your journey, remember: in two years, you could become not just a designer but a strong professional with an impressive portfolio, confidence in your skills, and demand in the job market. The most important thing is to start — and not stop.