From A Graphic Designer To A Web Developer. How Hard Is Web Design To Learn?

We know many talented, bright people in the graphic design industry who are excellent at what they do, but at some point, many stop being happy in their little niche. People like that want to expand, grow and be able to do more. For many of them, a logical path forward is to get into web development — after all, they’ve been designing websites for years, so why not try and develop them as well? But therein lies the problem — all of them underestimate what it takes to become a developer. Today we’ll try to answer just how hard is web design to learn.

How hard is web design to learn?

You don’t want to hear this, but it’s hard. A lot depends on your dedication, prior knowledge, and education, but most graphic designers we’ve talked to have a warped perception of how exactly to create a website. They’ve heard words like HTML or CSS and expect that to be the end of it. But it’s only the beginning.

Understanding how to code a basic website is not that hard. If your client needs a brochure or a landing page, you will be able to help them after a few months of learning. But most modern clients need specific services, eCommerce integration, and much more. You’ll have to learn JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and more. And that takes years. Are you sure that’s the path you want to take?

How long will it take?

We’ve mentioned HTML, CSS, and Java, and even if you learn it all in a year, that’d be only the tip of the iceberg. By that point, you’ll be able to code smaller websites and help out people you know, but don’t think about making a lot of money. You’re still a junior, and it’ll take another year to become a mid-level developer. More capable, but still not a jack of all trades your client expects to hire. 

Not a lot of people get to that point. Learning is laborious and takes time — time you can spend earning money in the niche you’ve already mastered. The tech world is always on the move, and it’s moving fast. Imagine learning something for years only to discover that half of your knowledge is obsolete. It’s a never-ending quest for knowledge, and one should not only want it, but also enjoy the process. 

But is it possible?

Once again, a lot of guys dislike being a small cog in the machine — they want to do it all. Is it possible? Yes! After years and years of dedication, a lot of people have become web designers capable of making the sites they design. But most never get to that point because they massively underestimated just how monumental the task was. To create sites, you’ve got to have a passion for it; you’ve got to be patient and dedicated. It’s not 2003 anymore, and there is no easy money in that field. Millions of experienced coders are better than you, so you might need to think twice before taking on them. But hey, if you really feel like that’s the way to go, don’t let us stop you!