Image licensed via Adobe Stock
Feeling trapped in the middle? Here’s how to navigate the murky waters between junior and senior when the path forward isn’t clear.
Welcome to another edition of Dear Boom, our advice series where the creative community helps solve the industry’s trickiest problems. This week’s dilemma speaks to a typically underserved group when it comes to design advice articles: those stuck in the middle.
“I’m a mid-weight designer with a slightly unconventional route into the industry,” writes our anonymous contributor. “I didn’t come through the usual channels, and I’ve never really had strong mentorship or big-name studios on my CV. There are loads of pieces of advice for grads or creative directors online, but not much for people in the middle. I want to level up, but I don’t know what to focus on or how to make that next leap.”
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. The mid-weight years are uniquely challenging: you’re past the beginner phase but not yet senior, and the path forward can feel frustratingly unclear.
Here’s what our community had to say. You can read the full discussion and add your own thoughts on our Instagram.
Question the premise
First up, the whole concept of being “stuck” is worth challenging in itself. As art director Kirsten Murray argues: “The other thing that’s stuck is these types of titles; stuck in the past, that is. Our progress as designers is not tied to our title. Your levelling up will come from learning new skills and working on larger and more complex problems, building confidence as you do.”
Kirsten’s advice is refreshingly practical. “You’ve written to Creative Boom because you’re motivated to get there. But the path isn’t clear. A first step would be to write down what career success looks like for you and where you want to go next. Do you want to work for yourself? Get a promotion? Or land a job with a big-name studio? Once you have an idea of what you’re working towards, reach out to people who can help you get there. The mentorship you’re looking for might be a DM away.”
Designer Mandy Horton, who herself had an unconventional route into the industry—fine art degree, then print production coordinator, then artworker, then designer—echoes this point. “I think ‘mid-weight’ designer can feel so different depending on who you work for, the kind of person you are, your goals and the way you want to grow,” she argues. “Mid-weight working in arts and culture is so so different compared to working for corporates.
“If you feel stuck, the question is: what’s your goal?” she continues. “Is it more money, more challenges in your daily work, or different clients? Or do you want a better work-life balance? There are many ways to do it, but there is no right route, and everyone is different.”
Be unconventional
Others push back against the idea that an “unconventional” path is a disadvantage. Art director Lucy Elliott, a “fellow former mid-weight” who also took an unconventional route, is emphatic about this. “It’s your strength, so much extra to bring to the table,” she argues.
“My advice is to actively carve out where you want to be,” Lucy continues. “Bring your experience with you, be vocal, join the conversation with senior team members or colleagues. Listen, learn. It takes some confidence that might be uncomfortable at first, but you’ll see that going the extra mile does get noticed, and will get you where you want to be.”
Graphic designer Dave Jones advocates focusing entirely on your work. “Experience helps, but ultimately it’s all about your portfolio,” he stresses. “Don’t worry too much about your experience level or position on your CV. If you’re a good designer, then you’re a good designer. Focus on your portfolio; that’s how you will land the best jobs and clients.”
Strategic brand designer Shakeel Mohamed, however, adds a note of caution . “This advice is sound, but has not been my experience,” he says. “I’ve had many interviews where I was told ‘we love your work’ or ‘you blew us away’, only to lose the role due to lack of experience in a specific niche or company type. I’m hoping this changes soon, but I don’t think a stellar portfolio is enough anymore.”
Tactical advice
Graphic designer Richard Vickers offers some tactical advice for those in agencies. “Look at the seniors and ask yourself: what are they confident doing that you’re not so confident doing at the moment? And practice on those elements.”
Logo designer and branding expert Brandon Moore, adds: “It really helps working with others who are better than you. Even if that means forming a group of a few people and creating your own project, this is how I’ve learned more, faster, than trying to teach myself. Especially if you don’t even know where to begin. Working through a project with others lets you understand how they think and work.”
It’s also worth asking whether your environment is the problem. As illustrator Inma Hortas says: “Whether you work in a company or agency, your weight should grow with your responsibilities and the decisions you’re part of. If you’re not given space to grow, sometimes you have to take it. If you’re consistently undervalued, you’re not in the right place.”
This applies to freelancing, too, Inma notes. “When growth stalls, it often means there’s a misalignment with clients. Finding your people makes all the difference. For me, confidence comes from knowing what works for me and what doesn’t, understanding my boundaries, and knowing why I do what I do. It’s a bit like dating. You try, you learn, and you enjoy the process as much as possible.” At the same time, she adds: “Always protect your junior mindset: it’s how growth never ends, in my opinion.”
The long view
What’s striking about this discussion is how clearly it dismantles the myth that there’s one “correct path” from mid-weight to senior. The industry loves linear narratives: grad to junior; mid to senior. But in reality, most careers are messier and more interesting than that.
In short, your unconventional route isn’t holding you back; it’s giving you perspectives that conventionally trained designers don’t have. The challenge isn’t fixing your past, it’s being intentional about your future. Define what success means to you, seek out people who challenge you to improve, and don’t stay anywhere that consistently undervalues you.
Most importantly, remember that growth isn’t always vertical. Sometimes it’s sideways, backwards, or in directions you didn’t know existed. The only way to truly be stuck is to stop being curious.
