Career guide

Junior → Mid-Level UX

Develop strategic thinking, lead projects independently, and build a reputation that opens doors

Explore the study outline

01 / About this guide

Skills to build.
Work to practice.

The jump from junior to mid-level is about moving from executing tasks to owning outcomes. You'll learn to lead projects independently, manage stakeholders, make design decisions with confidence, and communicate your impact. This path covers the competencies that hiring managers at companies like Meta, Google, and Figma look for when evaluating mid-level designers.

Skills you’ll develop

  • Project Ownership
  • Stakeholder Communication
  • Design Strategy
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Portfolio & Case Studies
  • Mentorship
  • Design Critique
  • Impact Measurement

What to work toward

  • Lead design projects from discovery through delivery with minimal oversight
  • Manage stakeholder expectations and present design rationale effectively
  • Build a portfolio with well-structured case studies that demonstrate process
  • Identify growth opportunities and align personal development with team goals
  • Mentor junior designers and contribute to team knowledge-sharing
  • Prepare for mid-level interviews at product companies

Before you begin

  • 1-2 years of professional UX design experience
  • Basic proficiency with design tools (Figma, etc.)
  • Experience shipping at least one product or feature
  • Comfort with user research fundamentals

02 / Study outline

Choose a topic.
Put it to work.

These 6 modules outline the topics to study. Follow the suggested order or start with a gap in your current work. Linked exercises include instructions, deliverables, and review criteria.

  1. 01

    Understanding the Level Jump

    2 weeks

    Learn what actually changes between junior and mid-level, based on real leveling frameworks from major tech companies

    • Junior vs. Mid vs. Senior: What Changes at Each Level
    • Leveling Systems at Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon
    • Key Competencies Hiring Managers Look For
    • Self-Assessment: Where Are You Now?
  2. 02

    Owning the Design Process

    4 weeks

    Move from following instructions to driving decisions — scoping projects, defining problems, and choosing approaches

    • Problem Framing and Scope Definition
    • Design Decision-Making Frameworks
    • Balancing User Needs, Business Goals, and Technical Constraints
    • Working with Ambiguity and Incomplete Information
    • Lean UX and Hypothesis-Driven Design
  3. 03

    Stakeholder Communication

    3 weeks

    Learn to present work, manage feedback, and build trust with PMs, engineers, and leadership

    • Presenting Design Rationale (Not Just Mockups)
    • Managing Conflicting Feedback
    • Design Critique: Giving and Receiving
    • Aligning Design Work with Product Roadmaps
    • Written Communication for Async Teams
  4. 04

    Building Your Learning Practice

    2 weeks

    Develop sustainable habits for continuous growth as a design professional

    • The Feynman Technique for Design Learning
    • Structured Learning Routines
    • Building in Public and Knowledge Sharing
    • Reflection Exercises and Self-Assessment

    Put this into practice

    Conversation Reflection
  5. 05

    Portfolio & Case Studies

    4 weeks

    Build portfolio pieces that demonstrate strategic thinking, not just visual output

    • Case Study Structure: Problem, Process, Outcome
    • Writing Your Portfolio About Section
    • Showing Impact with Metrics and Outcomes
    • Resume and LinkedIn Optimization for Mid-Level Roles
    • Citing and Referencing Work Effectively

    Put this into practice

    Case Study Workshop
  6. 06

    Interview Preparation

    3 weeks

    Prepare for mid-level design interviews at product companies

    • Portfolio Presentation Practice
    • Design Challenge Strategies
    • Behavioral Interview Frameworks
    • Negotiation and Offer Evaluation Basics

03 / Reading and exercises

Read. Try.
Make it your own.

Published articles, book recommendations, and practical projects that support this guide.

  • article

    What Hiring Managers Actually Look For at Mid-Level

    Competency breakdown based on leveling frameworks at top tech companies

    Read the article

  • article

    How to Write a Portfolio About Section That Actually Lands

    Real examples and feedback on framing your designer story

    Read the article

  • exercise

    Case Study Workshop

    Structure, write, and get feedback on a portfolio case study

    Try the exercise

  • exercise

    Conversation Reflection Exercise

    Self-assessment practice for identifying growth areas

    Try the exercise

  • article

    The Feynman Technique for Designers

    A learning method to deepen understanding of design concepts

    Read the article

Start with
one exercise.

Conversation Reflection