How to become a Web Designer: Web Design Fundamentals

Have you ever looked at a website and thought, "How did someone come up with that"? I used to. To non-designers, web design carries a certain mystique. It often seems like designers conjure stunning websites from thin air. Before learning design, I thought designers were born with a creative gene that I, a mere mortal, lacked. Now, I know differently. While the process requires creativity, it is not magic. Anyone can learn it.

I started my professional life as a web developer. My job was to turn beautiful designs into code. I'd look at those designs and think, "I could never do that". Design wasn't for me, so I "stayed in my lane". When I became a freelancer, I knew I could no longer rely on others to design for me. I had to learn it myself. I taught myself the basics, practised, and for some years now have been creating websites for professional clients.

So, let's dive into the wonderful world of web design. Many people who don't understand it question its importance. In this article, I'll demystify web design to show why it matters, how it works, and how you can learn it.

Web design is about more than looking good. People judge a website before reading any content. A website's design makes a promise, a visual signal of a brand's values and intent. Its content delivers that promise. When design and content work together, they create a website people trust and a brand they believe in.

Like most creative fields, web design overlaps with several other disciplines. It combines graphic design, motion design, and UX/UI with other unique considerations, responsibilities, and deliverables. Because of this overlap, web design is often confused with UX/UI design. They are closely related but not the same. UX design focuses on page structure and guiding users toward desired outcomes. UI design focuses on visuals and user interactions within the UX structure. Web design builds on UX/UI principles, incorporating website functionality, practical implementation, and brand alignment.

From first-hand experience, I can confidently say: Yes. You can teach yourself web design. I taught myself web design, and I'm still learning every day. Self-learning frees you from rigid design rules, leading to creating fresher, more original work. If you're thinking about learning it yourself, I say go for it. It's not easy, but it is rewarding.

I spent years avoiding design, doubting whether I was creative enough. If I were to start again, I'd skip the doubt and start learning. Creativity isn't a fixed trait. It's a process of solving problems. That's all design is. Nothing mystical.

Like any skill, design builds on foundational principles. Learn them. Mastery always comes from the intentional and devoted practice of the basics.

Web design builds on the foundations of graphic design but also comes with unique considerations. Understanding and mastering these principles enables you to create stunning, dynamic, and functional websites.

Layout is the skeleton of a web page. It structures your content, guides users through a page, and makes information easier to absorb. Great layouts don't happen by accident. We build them using fundamental principles like hierarchy, alignment, and spacing.

People access websites on everything from smartphones to widescreen monitors and even watches. If your design breaks on their device, they'll leave. When enough people bounce, search engines take note and lower your ranking. Responsive design isn't optional. It is the standard for all modern websites.

"Mobile-first" is a common phrase that means designing the mobile version of your website first, then scaling it up. It is essential for websites with mobile-heavy audiences. For other websites, it's your choice. Choose the approach that fits your workflow. Just make sure the final result works beautifully on every screen.

Contrast is a powerful design tool. It's how we drive user's attention and separate the important from the less important. There are many ways to implement contrast. You can use colour, opacity, size, spacing, shape, and many other tools to create contrast in a design.

If you ever find your design bland and lifeless, play with its contrast. Make headings bigger, reduce background opacities and make foreground elements brighter and bolder. This advice is some of the most valuable I've ever received for turning a design from mundane to magnificent.

Beyond aesthetics, contrast plays a significant role in web accessibility. People with sight issues like colour blindness rely on strong contrast ratios to see content. Building accessibility into your colour choices shows the empathy and attention to detail that all great designers have.

Designing for accessibility isn't optional. It's your responsibility. Just like an architect wouldn't create a building without disabled access, you shouldn't build a website that only works for some people. Use strong colour contrast, readable font sizes, and descriptive alt text. These small changes make your site usable for more people and elevate your work above millions of inaccessible designs.

Consistency is what makes a design feel intentional. Users shouldn't have to relearn how things work from one screen to the next. That means using the same typefaces, colours, components, and content patterns across every page. Consistency makes your site easier to use and feel more deliberate and professional.

Mastering these principles doesn't just make you a better designer. It provides a foundation for smarter design choices later. So, what is the best way to practise and "get good" at design?

The best way to become a better designer is simple: design. Small practice projects help you internalise the fundamentals, experiment with new techniques, and discover your workflow. Every brief adds to your portfolio. Over time, you build a body of work that shows your skills and how far you've come.

If you're not working with real clients yet, simulate the experience. Use ChatGPT to generate realistic, client-style briefs with structure and constraints that mirror real-world projects. Use this prompt to generate ten fictional, client-style web design projects.

Approach each brief like a real job. Treat ChatGPT as your client. Ask questions. Dig deeper until you fully understand the brief. Practising client communication in this way builds your ability to ask the right questions and deliver better work for real clients.

The blank page is always intimidating. Even experienced creators feel the daunting presence of a fresh start. Don't worry. Not knowing where to begin is normal. When I'm stuck at the start of a new project, I use websites like Awwwards, SiteInspire, and I Love Creatives. Seeing others' work inspires me to create and emulate. I take screenshots of website elements I like, recreate them and integrate them into my work. Mimicking more experienced designers exposes you to new patterns, techniques, and design solutions you might never have considered. Paying attention to the design styles you like helps you discover your taste. Taste is the foundation for your style. Your style is what sets you apart in a crowded industry.

It's the eternal question. As a developer, people ask which language is best. As a designer, it's all about the software. It matters less than people think. Use whatever you're comfortable with.

In my work, I often build websites I didn't design myself. Surprisingly, most of the designs I receive are in Adobe InDesign. In an ideal world, all web designers would use Figma, but that's rarely the case.

For web design, I use Figma. If you know a different design tool better, use that one. Great design doesn't come from your tools. It comes from your decisions. There are thousands of ways to do it well, and your process won't be the same as mine. Still, I want to share my approach to give you a starting point.

Every project is different, but one thing never changes: the design must serve its purpose. That starts with understanding exactly what the website needs to do. Once you're clear on the goal, every design decision should support it to keep your work focused, intentional, and results-driven.

Start with your priorities. The most important content should be the easiest to find. Use the layout to guide users through the journey you want them to take. A clear content hierarchy makes your site easier to navigate and more likely to convert.

Understand how people will use the site. If most users are on mobile, start there. Mobile-first design keeps things simple and focused. Make sure your layout scales well across screen sizes. As a developer, I can't stress this enough: unresponsive designs slow everyone down — and frustrate everyone involved.

Use media with intention. People can spot generic stock photos a mile away. If images don't serve a purpose, leave them out. Great design is as much about what you exclude as what you include. If you have high-quality, purposeful media, use it. A clean layout, well-executed typography, and effective use of space can carry a design further than any photo.

Simplicity is king. Use one font for headings and one for body copy. Any more, and your design becomes messy.

For headings, choose something brand-aligned, legible, and attention-grabbing:

Body text should be highly legible. A sans-serif font usually works best, especially at small sizes.

Pairing fonts is hard, especially for new designers. You can make it easier with online tools. Fontjoy is my go-to. It gives you high-quality pairings with control over contrast and compatibility.

Your colour palette should reflect the brand and work in practice. Brand colours often lack contrast and flexibility, especially for background and text combinations.

Use off-white, dark grey, or other neutrals to give your content space to breathe. Readability comes first. Use a colour contrast checker to make sure your text is accessible.

Brand colours often work best for buttons, links, and key highlights. Clients may want their colours front and centre. Your job is to use them in a way that supports both the brand and the user experience.

I am a self-taught web designer. Everything in this article comes from my learning journey and professional experience. Some designers may disagree with what I have said, and that's okay. Everything I have discussed in this article works for me and my clients. I hope they work for you as well.