How I Went from Web Design to UI/UX (And Why You Should Too)
A personal story on transitioning from web design to UI/UX and the lessons I learned
This is Part II of a longer story about my journey into web technologies.
In my previous article, How I Transitioned from Graphic Design to Web Design (And How You Can Too), I explored the journey of transitioning from graphic design to web design. But that was just the beginning. As the digital landscape evolved, so did my career. This article continues that journey, diving deeper into how I moved beyond web design and into UI/UX design, working with interactive systems and user-centered experiences.
I’m transported back to the early 2010s, a time when I was still shaping my knowledge in web design. During those years, the role of the web designer was evolving, becoming more specialized as new job titles emerged — digital designers, front-end developers, UI designers, UX designers, UI developers, Interaction Designer, Visual Designer, Product Designer, and many more. You need a Master’s Degree in HR to understand all their meaning and differences.
Finding My Path in Sydney
In 2010, while living in Sydney, I found myself at a crossroads. I was in a sort of career limbo, unsure which direction to take. To explore my options, I started applying for different job vacancies, sending out resumes and portfolios. Eventually, I got a call from a well-known advertising agency, M&C Saatchi. They had an opening for a temporary digital designer role in their digital branch, Mark. Without hesitation, I accepted. The opportunity to work in my industry, in my favorite country, and in such a dynamic environment was thrilling.
As a digital designer, my daily tasks revolved around Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Flash. I worked on modifying banners, pop-ups, newsletter layouts, and short web animations. It was the perfect hands-on experience for a junior designer eager to grow and refine their skills. But beyond professional development, this role also expanded my social horizons. I met incredible colleagues — designers and developers from all over the world — who gave me a deeper understanding of what it meant to live and work in Australia. The experience was enriching in every way.
The Transition from Web to UI Design
Over time, my focus started shifting. I moved from designing static visuals to crafting user interfaces for applications. This shift wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about understanding systems, interactions, and usability. UI design wasn’t just graphic design on a screen — it was about creating structures that users could navigate intuitively.
Experimenting with New Tools
One of the key turning points in my career was working on the Tulain project, where I learned to balance creativity with functionality.
After my adventure in Australia, I moved back to Italy in 2011, settling in Vicenza. I worked for this small agency where the main goal was to build and release software for the traceability of Italian goods in the local and international markets. The idea was great, but the execution? A rollercoaster ride. We were a tight team — six or seven of us, juggling multiple roles. I was the web and UI designer, and I was also the graphic designer for posters, brochures, leaflets, and so on. Working alongside two back-end developers, a mobile app developer, and two commercial agents scouting for investors and clients.
The internet landscape back then was very different, so we hesitated between using Flash or a dynamic website built on WordPress. After some back-and-forth, we finally opted for a basic theme on WordPress. My UI knowledge was still raw; I didn’t fully grasp many design principles yet, but mistakes were my best teachers. This was when I started using tools like Sketch for the first time, marking my transition into modern UI design, but part of my daily tasks were still on Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash Builder; even the website templates were designed in Photoshop, taking my first steps toward modern UI design.
Scaling Up in Milan
Few years later, I found an opportunity to work at Altroconsumo in Milan, I deepened my expertise in web UI, honing my ability to design scalable solutions. This time, it was a whole new level. A big office, my second job in such a structured environment after Sydney. Working in Milan, in an international setting, with a bunch of techies and creative minds, was an absolute thrill. The office vibe was great — teamwork was real, and you always had backup from your colleagues. We were three designers (okay, two and a half — one was part designer, part front-end developer) and about ten ASP.Net developers.
Social life in Milan wasn’t easy at first, but the job kept me engaged. Here, I started working with Axure RP to create dynamic prototypes, but I also started to deep dive into Adobe XD, refining wireframing and prototyping skills. Additionally, I began working with basic components and a pattern library — though we didn’t have a fully developed design system yet, these elements laid the foundation for a more structured approach to design. It was also my first deep dive into Agile workflows — Kanban boards, daily stand-ups, moving those paper tickets across the board, and watching ideas turn into real products.
A New Chapter in Warsaw
Several years passed, and in 2017, I packed my bags and moved to Warsaw, craving a change of scenery and a fresh dose of inspiration. I needed new challenges, new experiences, and maybe a few too many pierogi to keep me fueled.
For a few years, I continued as a freelancer. It wasn’t exactly a luxurious lifestyle, but I could pay my rent and enjoyed the freedom to work on different projects. Life as a freelancer can be unpredictable, but just before the world turned upside down with the pandemic, in 2019, I met two brothers at a co-working space where I was working. Who knew a casual chat over tea could change my career?
They were looking for a UI designer — urgently. Within 24 hours, I had the job at their software studio, Asper Brothers, in Warsaw. I dove headfirst into UI design for applications, working closely with developers and product teams. We started as a small crew of five, but soon grew to more than fifteen.
Our clients came from the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Australia, Sweden, and the UK, exposing me to a wide range of industries, including fintech, automotive, and SaaS. This is where I truly embraced Figma and began learning about design systems — a concept that would shape the rest of my career. At the same time, I used Adobe XD for micro-interactions and user flows. I also got into UX research — initially assisting an external UX designer before eventually conducting user testing and interviews on my own. Hotjar became my best friend, helping me analyze user behavior and refine interfaces based on real data.
The last chapter, for now
My final step (for now) was in Berlin. Still based in Warsaw, I stumbled upon a job posting on LinkedIn: UI/UX Designer for an international e-commerce company, Berlin Brands Group, tasked with maintaining and restructuring the entire design system. Wait, did I just read design system? Correct. I said, “This must be the place,” as David Byrne sang with the Talking Heads.
I went through the interview process, and soon enough, I got the job. Here, I truly grasped what it means to be a UI/UX designer — balancing creativity with data-driven decision-making. I dived deep into structured systems, fine-tuning conversion rates, conducting UX analysis, and running A/B tests to see what actually worked (and what definitely didn’t).
Beyond the technical aspects, I sharpened my skills in usability testing, heuristic evaluations, and accessibility audits — ensuring our designs weren’t just eye-catching but also practical and inclusive. Maintaining seven brands across 23 countries wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it taught me how to optimize user flows, analyze behaviors with real data, and craft interfaces that actually make sense for the people using them.
Designing for Interaction and the Future
The evolution from graphic design to UI design isn’t just about learning new tools; it’s about understanding how interfaces behave and how users interact with them. Today’s digital experiences are multi-faceted. Some rely on voice-controlled interfaces, like instructing Siri or Alexa with your voice. Others are gesture-based, where you swipe through a gallery with a simple finger movement on a touchscreen.
The journey from static visuals to interactive, dynamic experiences has been an exciting challenge. Design is subjective — everyone can create something and believe it’s the best or the most appropriate, but that doesn’t mean it’s the correct solution. Only through testing and analysis can we, as UI/UX designers, determine the right approach to product design. Mastering these new paradigms is essential for any designer. It’s not just about designing beautiful screens — it’s about crafting seamless experiences that feel intuitive, responsive, and natural to the user.
With the technology's ever-evolving landscape, where new inventions are appearing faster than Chrome releases new updates, there’s always something new to explore — whether it’s AI-driven interfaces, experimenting with AR/VR interactions, or something entirely new. The industry keeps evolving, and I’m here for it (you should too). The tools will change, trends will shift, but curiosity, empathy, and adaptability will always be the keys to great design. That’s what keeps UI/UX exciting — there’s always another challenge, another breakthrough, and, let’s be honest, another redesign waiting just around the corner.
What happened before?
Read the Part I
<<< How I Transitioned from Graphic Design to Web Design (And How You Can Too)
Want to stay in touch? I’m Andrea Mecenero, a UI/UX designer passionate about crafting intuitive experiences. Check out my work at mecdesigner.com!