So, you want to be a web designer?

Your go-to online store, your favorite news site, your email provider. While it may seem like I’m listing random things, I’m not. All of these were created with the skills and talents of a web designer, and there’s more. Online tools like Google Docs, social media platforms like YouTube, and e-commerce sites like Etsy — just about every single website you visit has been designed by a web designer. And that goes to show you how web design is one of the most in-demand jobs in tech.

Needless to say, if you want to make it as a web designer, there are some things you need to know. I’m so over the days where blogs just cover “the basics.” The basics don’t set you apart. The basics won’t get you noticed, and what worked a few years ago may not cut it today.

For a successful web design career, you’ll need to give yourself a leg up on your competition. So what is the ‘it’ factor that’s going to make you stand out from every other web designer applying for the same projects and jobs?

Let’s get into it! Here are 12 essential skills you need to be a web designer in 2025.

Table of Contents

• 1. Visual Design
• 2. Programming Languages
• 3. Responsive Design
• 4. Graphic Design and Web Design Software
• 5. UX
• 6. UI
• 7. Version Control
• 8. Front-end Frameworks
• 9. Content Management Systems
• 10. SEO Basics
• Soft Skills
• 11. Communication Skills
• 12. Time Management
• How to Learn Web Design Skills Online

Want to learn design and coding for FREE? Join our Coding Camp!

You Will Learn:

☑️ HTML & CSS Essentials

☑️ JavaScript

☑️ User Experience Design

☑️ Python—the language of AI 🤖

☑️ PLUS How to decide what tech job role is right for you!

1. Visual Design

Now, this might sound like a no-brainer — of course you need to know design to design a website. And while web design is a specialized area within the broader world of visual design, you’ll definitely need to get familiar with the basics first.

Web design isn’t just about making things look pretty (although that’s a part of it). It’s about creating digital spaces that look and feel — think Goldilocks — just right. This means creating websites or apps that not only look great but work well. Visual design is the foundation of this process, covering everything from color palettes and typography to layout grids and wireframing. It’s what makes sure a website doesn’t just look great but works the way users expect.

When you learn design tenets, you’ll spend time learning the fundamental principles of good design — things like balance, contrast, and hierarchy. So, for example, if you’re designing a homepage, you might use a bold, easy-to-read font for the header, pair it with a calming background color, and lay everything out using a grid system to make the content flow nicely. And what do you get? A website that’s not only visually appealing but easy to navigate.

When you carefully choose your typography, colors, and images, and position them in ways that guide users smoothly through the site, you can make sure they feel engaged without getting distracted.

Some of the most important visual design principles to know include:

• Color Theory
• Hierarchy
• Typography
• Balance
• Contrast
• Consistency
• Whitespace
• Imagery

Related: What is Visual Design? Graphic Design, UI Design, Web Design — What’s the Difference?

2. Programming Languages

Knowing how to code is not optional. You don’t need to become a full-on developer, but you do need to get comfortable with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These are the building blocks that turn a website from a basic layout to a fully functional, beautifully designed experience.

First is HTML (HyperText Markup Language). I may be throwing the word “foundation” around a lot in this blog, but it’s quite literally the foundation of every webpage. HTML is what you use to add content. Whenever you see a page with headlines, paragraphs, or images, it’s HTML that makes those elements appear where they are. It’s all about structure. So, when you place an image or text on the page, HTML is what ensures it shows up where it needs to be.

Next is CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). CSS is a coding language that tells browsers how to format and style HTML for a web page. It’s how you add color, adjust fonts, set spacing, and make everything look good. Think of it like this — if HTML is the skeleton, CSS is the skin. If you’re doing the layout for a blog post, CSS helps you decide how the title looks, how the body text flows, and even what the “Read More” button looks like when you hover over it.

HTML and CSS are the basics you need to execute good web design, but if you want to give yourself a competitive edge, learn JavaScript. JavaScript, which is both a front-end and back-end programming language, allows you to take static elements on your site and make them interactive. Do you want a pop-up to appear when someone clicks a button? JavaScript. Do you want to build an image carousel that cycles through images automatically? You guessed it—JavaScript again.

So, whether you need to make sure a website’s text is aligned or add a cool feature that makes someone’s feed update automatically, knowing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is a non-negotiable.

Related: 17 Jobs You Can Get With Just HTML and CSS

3. Responsive Design

Responsive design is all about making sure websites look good and work well on any device, whether it’s a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. But it’s not quite as simple as resizing things for different screens. Responsive design means coding and arranging the layout, images, and content so that everything feels natural and easy to use, no matter the device.

For example, on a phone, you might need to stack images vertically or hide certain elements to keep the page clean and user-friendly. As a web designer, you’ll have to rely on tools like media queries and flexible grid systems to make these tweaks. Responsive design ensures that users don’t have to deal with lagging or confusing layouts whether they’re browsing on their phone or a full-screen monitor.

Responsive design principles:

• Fluid grids
• Flexible images
• Media queries
• Usability
• Mobile-first
• Content prioritization
• Performance optimization
• Future-proofing

Want to learn design and coding for FREE? Join our Coding Camp!

You Will Learn:

☑️ HTML & CSS Essentials

☑️ JavaScript

☑️ User Experience Design

☑️ Python—the language of AI 🤖

☑️ PLUS How to decide what tech job role is right for you!

4. Graphic Design and Web Design Software

Like any craftsperson, web designers need the right tools to do their work. Knowing your way around web design and graphic design industry standards will be helpful in every case and critical in many. While designing a website can be done right in a web browser, tools like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Sketch are used in graphic design and web design for important job functions: creating mockups, designing assets (think logos and images), and of course, modifying and enhancing photos.

Imagine you’re designing a page for a website like Amazon. You could use Photoshop to create promotional banners, Illustrator to design vector-based icons or logos, and Sketch to build a high-fidelity wireframe — as close to the final product as possible — for the layout.

Design tools and software can be expensive, but if you’re new to the field, don’t stress. You don’t have to jump into the pricey software right away. There are plenty of free alternatives, like GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) and Figma, to help you learn the ropes before you invest in the Adobe suite. Either way, whether you go with the free or paid route, get comfortable with these tools if you want to make it as a web designer.

5. UX

UX stands for user experience, or how people feel when they use a product, or in this case, a website. It’s all about the user journey. UX design focuses on how users interact with your website — how they feel while they’re browsing, what frustrates them, what makes them stay, etc. Above all else, UX design is about approaching your designs from a user-friendly and user-first perspective — how can you create a website design that helps them get exactly what they need?

To do that, you’ll start by researching your target users and building “personas” that represent ideal site visitors. These imaginary profiles help you design with real people in mind. You’ll lay out the pages and content with a site map so you can figure out user flows (the path users take on your site). For example, do they always click straight through to social media? Or are they just looking for contact information? You’ll use responsive design (skill #3 on this list) to account for different screen sizes and improve functionality, regardless of device.

As a web designer with UX skills, you can also build wireframes and use prototyping and templates to sketch out the key parts of each webpage, including the user interface. All of these components are essential to practicing user experience design.

Examples of UX principles and tools include:

• Usability
  • Heatmapping (Tools: Hotjar or CrazyEgg)
  • Wireframing and prototyping (Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD)
• Accessibility
  • Accessibility checking (WAVE or aXe)
  • Color-contrast checking (WebAIM)
  • Screen reading software (NVDA or VoiceOver)
• Findability
  • Card Sorting (Tools: OptimalSort)
  • Hierarchy (Tools: Treejack)
  • Information Architecture (Tools: XMind or MindManager)

6. UI

UI (user interface) design goes hand-in-hand with UX. If you have plans on becoming a web designer — or want to elevate the skills you already have — consider learning about UI design. UI is generally what makes the web experience look and feel smooth, focusing on the aesthetics and functionality of a website or app. It covers everything from the layout to the colors, typography, and buttons that make the interface easy on the eyes and easy to use.

Think about it like this: UX is about the flow and structure of the site, and UI takes that structure and gives it visuals. UI design can make all the difference between an app that feels old and outdated versus one that feels intuitive and pleasant.

UI design has several principles that let you create a website that’s both functional and beautiful. And you might remember some of these visual elements as visual design principles (#1 on this list) that we named earlier. Consistency keeps the design uniform across the site. Hierarchy guides the user’s attention to what matters most. Clarity — one we’ve yet to mention — makes sure every element is easy to understand. And don’t forget about accessibility. Knowing how to ensure your website is color-blind friendly, for example, can go a long way with your users. Knowing how to balance these elements is what makes sure users don’t just use the site, they enjoy it.

UI design tools:

• Figma
• Sketch
• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (XD, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Animation Tools (After Effects and Principle)
• Accessibility Tools (WAVE, aXe, NVDA, VoiceOver)

Note: You can start preparing for a successful career in UI/UX design right now. All you have to do is sign up for Skillcrush’s Break Into Tech program and enroll in the UI/UX design track. You’ll learn everything from user research to wireframing.

Want to learn design and coding for FREE? Join our Coding Camp!

You Will Learn:

☑️ HTML & CSS Essentials

☑️ JavaScript

☑️ User Experience Design

☑️ Python—the language of AI 🤖

☑️ PLUS How to decide what tech job role is right for you!

7. Version Control

Version control is the system that tracks changes to your files over time. For web designers, it can be a lifesaver because it lets you easily manage different versions of a project, track edits, and go back to previous designs if/when needed. This is your safe space for experimenting without the risk of ruining your work.

Version control is typically considered a web development tool, but web designers can (and should) get a lot of use out of it. Imagine you’re working on a big redesign, and halfway through, you realize you want to go back to an earlier idea — or maybe you’d like to implement a design element that had been nixed in a previous edit. With version control, you can easily go back without starting over. Plus, version control is a must if you’re working closely with developers. Most developers use version control, especially Git, and knowing it can make collaborating easier (and give you that competitive edge).

8. Front-end Frameworks

Speaking of a competitive edge, knowing front-end frameworks can give it to you. These frameworks are pre-built libraries of code that streamline the development process, making it faster and more consistent. Using frameworks can help speed up the design process by giving you ready-made components.

For example, React is a popular front-end development framework that uses a component-based structure. This means designers can break down complex designs into smaller, reusable parts. Knowing how React works — understanding its JSX syntax and knowing how to use props and state — means you can collaborate with developers more easily and even build simple interactive elements yourself.

Bootstrap is another favorite, especially when it comes to responsive design. Its grid system, component classes, and customization options help ensure that your designs look great on all screen sizes without any extra work.

Mastering these frameworks isn’t just about making your own life easier. It’s about boosting your ability to collaborate with developers and contribute to your web design projects in more meaningful ways.

9. Content Management Systems

A content management system (CMS) is a tool that lets you or your clients easily manage and update website content — without needing to know a ton of code or be a web developer. It works behind the scenes to help you organize everything from text to images and videos, all while keeping your site’s design intact. And thankfully, the content management systems of today come with extra features — design capabilities and the ability to code and customize for your website’s needs.

In today’s world, content is king, and your role as a designer is to create a seamless experience where the design complements the content, and vice versa. A CMS is the go-to for doing just that. It lets you build sites that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy for your clients to maintain. Whether they’re adding blog posts, updating product pages, or tweaking text, a tag team between a good CMS and web designer ensures they can handle it without any stress.

WordPress is still the king of CMS platforms, but it’s not the only option. Platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and others have gained popularity, especially in recent years. Ultimately, the most skilled web designers know how to leverage these tools to create websites that are simple to navigate, easy to update, and — most importantly — keep the content front and center.

Want to learn design and coding for FREE? Join our Coding Camp!

You Will Learn:

☑️ HTML & CSS Essentials

☑️ JavaScript

☑️ User Experience Design

☑️ Python—the language of AI 🤖

☑️ PLUS How to decide what tech job role is right for you!

10. SEO Basics

As a web designer, you might think skills like search engine optimization (SEO), digital marketing, and social media are more for marketers and salespeople than for you. But here’s the thing — the internet is now the primary platform for businesses to sell and connect, so a solid understanding of these areas can seriously boost your effectiveness as a designer. You don’t need to be an expert in everything, but knowing the basics and applying them to both client projects and your own websites can make a huge difference. It’ll give you an edge (the same edge I keep talking about), help your designs perform better, and make you a more valuable asset to your clients. Plus, it’s a great way to stay ahead of the curve of the many web designers vying for the same jobs.

Soft Skills

Now that you know which design and tech skills to master, it’s time to hone in on the soft skills that’ll really set you apart and help you stay on top of your game. These are the skills most web designers swear by, so save yourself some time by learning and practicing them now rather than later.

11. Communication Skills

Communication skills are just as important as your technical skill set. Sure, you can create stunning websites, but if you can’t effectively convey your ideas to clients, stakeholders, or anyone else involved in the project, don’t be surprised when you hit a wall. Being able to keep clients in the know, pitch your design ideas clearly, and explain why you made certain choices is essential for building trust and making sure everyone is on the same page.

And don’t be surprised if you find yourself doing a bit of copywriting or content editing, too — especially if you’re working solo. So, get those writing and presentation skills together! Web design isn’t only about creating great designs. It’s about getting your point across so your clients and team know exactly what you’re doing and why it matters.

Want to learn design and coding for FREE? Join our Coding Camp!

You Will Learn:

☑️ HTML & CSS Essentials

☑️ JavaScript

☑️ User Experience Design

☑️ Python—the language of AI 🤖

☑️ PLUS How to decide what tech job role is right for you!

12. Time Management

Whether you’re interested in learning web design to become a freelancer or to work for a company, you’ll need to stay on top of your schedule and projects to be successful. You’ll quickly find that juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and client feedback requires more than just talent and a “go get ‘em” spirit. It’s about mastering your time, tasks, and workflow. Say “hello” to productivity tools like task managers, calendars, or, if you’re in a bigger team, project trackers like Trello or JIRA. The right tools can make all the difference, but it’s the ability to prioritize your work that’ll really keep you on track and contribute to your success.

How to Learn Web Design Skills Online

As you can see, there’s nothing particularly mysterious about the skills you need to be a web designer, but there is the question of “where?” and “how?” to learn to be a web designer. You’ll want to look for a good foundation on the tech side and a solid handle on the organizational parts to get you started and set the groundwork as you build your knowledge and career in web design.

Admittedly, we’re a little biased, but you can learn most of the web design skills we talked about in Skillcrush’s Break Into Tech program — a comprehensive, entirely online course designed to take you from zero to working as a web designer or developer in months. It includes fast tracks for getting you into your dream career quickly, over a dozen courses, and optional course add-ons to help you niche down and find your career path in tech.

We’ve also got a more specific Visual Designer course that covers everything from color theory and typography to becoming a Photoshop master. It’s the perfect digital course for creatives obsessed with colors, typefaces, and all things visual.

Our courses come with all the support you need, with job search prep, 1-on-1 coaching, and interview practice. When you’re ready, Skillcrush is here to help you take the next step toward landing your dream job as a web designer!