Salutations all, I seek assistance with a query: can anyone clearly define the career levels and structure within the world of web design, akin to the progression seen in web development such as junior, mid-level, and senior development roles?

What is the entry-level job title for a web designer, and conversely, what is considered the pinnacle of the profession? Is there any position that surpasses the level of ART Director?

I would greatly appreciate it if the role titles are listed in a European-style format, aligning with the developer progression example.

Importantly, please confine the responses to the realm of web design careers specifically, not to be mistaken with graphic design positions.

Web design, like many other sectors, has varying levels of progression based on experience, competency, and specialization. Similar to web developers, web designers can also be classified as Junior, Mid-Level, and Senior. However, there are other job titles and professional paths in the web design field beyond these. Let's also note the European-style distinction can differ across countries; here's a general approach:

Web Design Intern / Trainee: This is the absolute entry-level position where you gain experience and knowledge by working under professionals in the field. One is usually a student or recent graduate at this stage without much professional experience.

Junior Web Designer: A Junior Web Designer has fundamental technical skills (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), tools knowledge (like Sketch, Figma, Adobe design software), and a basic understanding of design principles. They work under the supervision of more experienced designers.

Web Designer / Mid-Level Web Designer: With a few years of experience, a Junior Web Designer can progress to a Web Designer or Mid-Level Web Designer. They are trusted with larger pieces of projects and have more responsibility within the team. They have mastered the skills mentioned before, and may begin to specialize in certain aspects of web design, like User Interface (UI) or User Experience (UX) design.

Senior Web Designer: With extensive experience and a comprehensive portfolio, a Web Designer can advance to a Senior Web Designer level. In this role, one may be trusted with significant projects, has advanced problem-solving skills, and might mentor junior designers.

Lead Web Designer / Design Team Leader: As a leader of a design team, this person coordinates between the design team and other departments, oversees many projects at once, and provides guidance to their team members.

Web Design Manager / Design Manager: This role involves more strategic planning and less day-to-day design work. The Design Manager oversees the entire design department, delegating projects, setting budgets and timeframes, and liaising with upper management.

Art Director: Art Directors are responsible for the overall vision of a project or product. They decide on the artistic style, mood, and presentation, and coordinate the work of multiple teams to achieve a unified visual result.

Creative Director: This is often seen as one of the pinnacles within the design profession. The Creative Director oversees the creative aspects of a company's projects, set the overall creative strategy, and ensure design aligns with the brand's philosophy and objectives. They are less involved in hands-on design work, focusing more on directing the design team and liaising with executives and stakeholders.

Chief Design Officer (CDO): In some companies, this is the highest possible position. The CDO is a corporate executive responsible for a company's design strategy. They determine how design can drive growth and influence all aspects of a company's products or services.

Bear in mind that the titles can be fluid, and the specific responsibilities and qualifications for each role may differ among companies. Some companies may also combine or divide these roles differently according to their needs. For instance, a small start-up may not have a need for specialized roles like Art Director or Creative Director.


I'll elaborate more on the job descriptions, expectations, and potential interrelations between some of the roles mentioned earlier:

Web Design Intern / Trainee: This is the starting point for many web designers. Interns and trainees will work under the guidance of more senior team members, learning the tools and techniques used in the industry. They'll often perform tasks like updating existing designs, creating simple graphics, and providing assistance as needed in larger design projects.

Junior Web Designer: In this role, you're expected to be more independent. You would work on specific components of a larger project or maybe even handle smaller projects on your own. You'll need to be competent in design tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe Creative Suite, and understand basic web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You might also start working directly with clients or stakeholders under supervision.

Web Designer / Mid-Level Web Designer: At this level, you're not just executing designs but also contributing to the creative planning process. You would collaborate with other team members and potentially lead smaller design teams. You might specialize in something like UI or UX design, and you can expect to manage a project from the conceptual phase to the final delivery.

Senior Web Designer: Senior Web Designers have a mastery of web design tools and a deep understanding of user behavior and current design trends. They not only create designs but also review and provide feedback on the work of junior designers. They would work with complex projects and ensure the design aligns with the goals and needs of the client or company.

Lead Web Designer / Design Team Leader: This position is managerial and strategic. Lead Web Designers coordinate the design activities within a project and liaise between the design team and other departments within the company. They also mentor junior team members and supervise their progression.

Web Design Manager / Design Manager: This is more of an executive role. A Design Manager might do some hands-on design work but will primarily focus on coordinating the entire design department. They work towards aligning the design team's vision with the company's strategy, handling resources, and playing a key role in major business decisions.

Art Director: Art Directors are more involved with defining the creative vision of a project. They coordinate massive projects ensuring the visual work aligns with the artistic style and mood they set. They work with teams of designers and often interface with marketing and product teams as well.

Creative Director: A Creative Director sets the creative vision for a brand or a series of products. They are less engaged in actual design work, but their decision influences all the creative aspects of an organization. They collaborate with marketing teams, executives, and stakeholders.

Chief Design Officer (CDO): A CDO usually has a seat at the executive table and is responsible for the entire design direction of a company. They ensure that design has enough representation in strategic decisions and may lead a team of Creative Directors or Art Directors.


Let's delve deeper into the industry nuances, required skills for each position, and potential paths towards career progression.

Web Design Intern / Trainee: As an intern or trainee, your primary goal is to learn. You'll be expected to have a basic understanding of design principles and some familiarity with design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Interns also need good communication and teamwork skills, as they often support more senior designers.

Junior Web Designer: Junior web designers need to be comfortable with design software and have some knowledge of HTML, CSS, and maybe basic JavaScript. They should be able to design appealing and user-friendly websites and may also be asked to test websites for functionality on various devices and browsers. A junior designer is usually guided by a mid or senior-level designer.

Web Designer / Mid-Level Web Designer: For this level, strong proficiency in design software and web technologies is a must. Understanding user experience (UX) principles and being able to work effectively with developer teams is key. They may also need project management skills since they'll often be handling parts of a project independently and potentially leading a small team.

Senior Web Designer: Senior web designers need all the skills of a Mid-Level designer with advanced knowledge in information architecture, UX design principles, and project management. They're expected to take the lead on significant projects, so they often need strong leadership and mentorship skills. This position might require years of experience or additional education, like a master's degree or certification in a relevant field.

Lead Web Designer / Design Team Leader: In addition to a high level of design competency, this role requires strong leadership and excellent communication skills to manage the team effectively and maintain open dialogue with other departments. They should be resourceful and confident in making decisions that would affect the project outcomes. They're usually involved in the hiring process as well, so they should ideally be well-connected in the industry.

Web Design Manager / Design Manager: This position needs a wide range of skills, from design expertise to a thorough understanding of business, marketing, and branding strategies. It would be beneficial to be skilled in financial planning and resource management since they oversee budgets and allocation of resources.

Art Director: Art Directors need extensive experience in creating and managing visual designs. This role requires an excellent artistic eye, creativity, and attention to detail. They also need good team management skills and the ability to align multiple teams towards a common creative vision.

Creative Director: As a strategic role, Creative Directors require a deep understanding of branding and marketing. They should be able to integrate business strategy with creative goals. Solid leadership skills and the ability to communicate well with stakeholders is a must.

Chief Design Officer (CDO): The CDO needs a comprehensive understanding of design and its strategic impact on the business. The role involves less hands-on design and more management and strategic decision making. They need excellent leadership skills, business acumen, and knowledge in everything from branding and marketing to user experience and innovation management.

While this progression appears to be a straight line, it's worth noting that there could also be lateral moves and branches into specialties like User Interface Design, User Experience Design, Information Architecture, or Interactive Design. Moreover, some roles can be reached through other paths. For example, a Creative Director or Art Director role can be a progression from Graphic Design, Illustration, or Animation fields.

In reality, these names are not official and vary depending on each company's size, tasks, and organizational type. This principle applies to other professions as well, with different countries having their own directories of professions and codes. For instance, Canada has the National Occupational Classification (NOC). However, adherence to these directories is not always mandatory for employers, as they may only be used by certain government agencies for internal purposes.

This flexibility allows companies to create unique job titles that suit their needs, even if they might seem unconventional. For instance, you could have a "chief guru" overseeing a team of five "talalais of the 2nd rank," with each talalai leading a department that includes 2 "little designers." While this unconventional structure may cause some challenges, such as overwhelming the accountant, it can still be worthwhile. Although, one might wonder if such a company would even need an accountant or if the role would be something like an "accounting gzhel."

Frequently, when companies outsource their tasks, designers may also be recognized as J,M, S + team lead. However, if the company does not outsource, the positions are designated according to the company's preference, without following a standardized framework. Additionally, the roles above the ART Director can include Product Directors and Product Managers, who sometimes transition from a design background. The hierarchy is flexible and adaptable based on the specific objectives at hand.

If you desire a more impressive job title, consider exploring options on Linkedin, where some individuals have demonstrated creativity in defining their roles. On the other hand, if you prefer a structured approach, you can adopt an existing hierarchy that fits your needs.