By Mehul Rajput in UI/UX. Updated on.
Choosing a promising career in the field of IT can be pretty puzzling. It seems like the future holds plenty of potential in this field. This puts you in a dilemma of evaluating your interests and picking the right path for yourself.
Today, I have chosen to shed some light on UI/UX industries. Organizations are investing millions to come up with stellar UI/UX. UXDesignInstitute.com cites a report on UK’s technology skills landscape, produced by Hired.com, which shows a 289% rise in requests for UX interviews.
Fortunately, you don’t need to throw hundreds and thousands of bucks to learn about this domain. In fact, there are many remote learning options you can adapt and turn into a UI/UX maestro without stepping a foot outside!
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UX in a Nutshell and What User Experience Designers Do
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Don’t believe this? This post will tell you how to become a self-taught UI/UX designer:
#1: Learn the UI/UX fundamentals
The user experience on a website is one of the most critical parts of a successful web design. According to Amazon Web Services, UX stats reveal that 88% of online shoppers do not return to a website after having a bad user experience. This means that before you leap into the landscape, you should understand the main principles of UI/UX designs.
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It focuses on creating a delightful experience by meeting users’ needs, studying them through user psychology. Understanding why users perform some actions and compelling them to continue navigating the site is key to creating a reliable digital product.
Luckily, there are plenty of affordable UI/UX tutorials and resources within our reach nowadays. Once you have decided to kickstart this journey on your own, look up the education tracks offered at the special degree programs, courses, certifications, and boot camps.
Generally, you can find an overview of topics and course requirements for programs at Georgia Tech, Stanford, and other such names. Type the course name and look at what students will be learning in those courses. Sometimes, the classes are even offered free if you want to follow a structured learning platform.
You can go the extra mile and ask the professionals about their favorite books and resources. Take a look at profiles on LinkedIn that are atop of the charts of UI/UX design, ask them to enlist their favorite titles to help you out.
#2: Seek learning experiences
This is your journey. You have to watch out for everything that helps enhance your learning in this field. A little experience and challenge can make oodles of difference in your overall perspective.
For example, check out the samples on CodePen to create a cool impact of your own.
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10 Codepen Tips For Beginners
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At the same time, keep looking for tutorials to improve your learning. Build a portfolio and keep creating designs to add to it. When you have more things to show, your chances of getting better opportunities will also grow.
Here is a list of recommendations we give to every aspiring UI/UX designer:
- Subscribe to DailyUI.co. They send small interface challenges every day that helps build your skills.
- Keep an eye on NGOs and volunteer organizations looking to showcase their work online and increase their reach.
- Always ensure you have a project on the side. A side project forces you to think, innovate, and create.
- Share your projects on Dribbble, and/or Behance. Reddit, too has an active community that is all set to give its feedback when needed.
#3: Invest in the best design tools
It is essential to invest in remarkable tools that bring your designs to life. You can begin by applying your knowledge via those tools to develop an impactful UX for the users.
There are many great tools available in the market. We suggest our readers try out a few industry hotshots, such as Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma.
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This is a quick rundown of the features each software brings to the table:
- Sketch – Sketch is the digital design app for macOS. Designers who use Sketch prefer it for its plugin capabilities and intuitive interface.
- Adobe XD – Adobe XD was designed with users in mind. It is completely free and enables you to develop designs and prototypes.
- Figma – Figma is a collaborative design tool used for digital projects. It is the latest UI/UX software globally and turned into the top choice for designers.
More and more tools in the area of UI/UX sprout every day. Each tool comes with its own pros and cons. It is always good to learn a couple of these tools and collaborate to create flawless designs.
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#4: Start creating a portfolio
Reading books and watching tutorials is good for nothing if you are not practicing. If you want to become proficient in UI/UX, you must design digital products and start collecting a solid work profile.
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You can download free UI kits to help you get started. A UI kit is a set of pre-designed components that contain essential visual elements for any UI design. It provides all details about fonts, icons, menus, buttons, etc.
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Use these kits to design your app or website. You can start by doing redesigns of existing ideas. Pick your favorite websites and delve into the ways to make them more powerful. You can also learn how to create a mockup for your design and post it online to get more exposure.
Make sure that your web design is optimized for mobile phones. Failing to prioritize mobile optimization can lead your designs down the drain. According to Think with Google, 50% fewer users will prefer a website if it isn’t mobile-friendly.
At the same time, it is also essential to keep the price factor in mind. Learn how much it costs to design a mobile app or a website to ensure you can control the budget.
If you need help managing the projects, Bonsai is the place to be. It helps build a portfolio and explore how you can recreate the current designs with better functionality.
#5: Network with the pros
As you are learning what to do, how do you get the right people around you? It is crucial to know professionals in the same field as this is your gateway to abundant opportunities. You can Google local or virtual events coming up and participate in them.
Aspiring self-learners have made the most out of such activities. They participate in mock interviews and ask for feedback on their portfolio.
It may be awkward in the beginning. But it gets easier with time. You get more confident, and you are grateful for the relationships you build along the way.
Verdict – Become the complete package
UI/UX designers should always stay in the learning loop. There is a broad range of ways to delight your users. Hence, it would help if you kept learning what could bring users on edge and compel them to convert.
Participate in workshops and study literature. Look at how brilliant minds are creating strides in this field. Having the right gear and knowledge will help you excel in your field and strike the best deals.
I hope this blog has given you the perspective needed to begin the journey of self-learning.
FAQs
Can you become a UX designer on your own? ›
Yes, you can become a UX Designer with no experience. Our Digital Skills Survey found that 65 percent of UX Designers began their careers in the design field, later specializing in UX design to gain a competitive edge in the job market.
Can I learn UX by myself? ›Excluding the recent entrants to the field, most UX Designers are self-taught. It's a field that got started when people began crossing over from development, graphic design, copy writing, etc.
How do I start learning UI UX design? ›- Step 1: Learn the Basic Concepts of UX Design. ...
- Step 2: Develop an Aesthetic Sense. ...
- Step 3: Invest in the Appropriate Design Software. ...
- Step 4: Create a Work Portfolio. ...
- Step 5: Request Customer Feedback. ...
- Step 6: Acquire Hands-on Work Experience.
- Find your area of interest. UX design is a broad discipline. ...
- Get educated. ...
- Find a mentor. ...
- Master the right tools. ...
- Get practical skills. ...
- Create a portfolio. ...
- Write about design. ...
- Connect with others.
- Start reading up on UX.
- Learn the key UX principles.
- Learn about the key UX design methods and processes.
- Structure your learning with a credible UX course.
- Apply what you're learning to real-world projects.
UX Bootcamps can take anywhere between 2 to 10 months to complete. In general, UX bootcamps introduce students to basic UX concepts and guide them through projects so they can begin building a portfolio. Some programs also include career mentorship and the chance to work with real clients.
How do I make a UX resume with no experience? ›When you don't have a lot of work experience in the field you're trying to break into, internships are the perfect way to show your UX design skills in action. List these like you would any work experience, starting each bullet point with an action verb and using numbers and metrics to highlight what you accomplished.
How long does it take to become a self-taught UX designer? ›It requires a lot of discipline to be a self-taught UX designer and it can often take about six months to a full year longer than simply attending an expedited bootcamp. Additionally, a lot of teaching yourself UX design consists of a lot of reading.
Can I learn UI UX design on my own? ›While you can learn UX design on your own, if you learn better in a social setting you may want to consider taking one of our web design courses. After all, if you're ready to get started in UX design, you might as well learn from people who are living and breathing great user experience every day.
How do I become a self-taught designer? ›- Step 1: Learn the fundamentals. ...
- Step 2: Invest in the right tools. ...
- Step 3: Build a body of work. ...
- Step 4: Get your work seen. ...
- Step 5: Network with other graphic designers. ...
- Step 6: Get real-world work experience. ...
- Keep learning and growing.
Can I become a UX designer in 3 months? ›
The answer is — definitely a big NO! Nobody can become 'professional' in 3–6 months in any field, because it's a fairly low time to call yourself one!
What skills do UX designers need? ›- Research. To effectively perform their jobs, UX designers must understand what their audiences want and how they view the world. ...
- Information Architecture. ...
- Wireframing. ...
- Prototyping. ...
- Visual Communication.
- Immerse yourself in UI.
- Master the fundamentals.
- Get to grips with industry standard tools.
- Do a bootcamp course.
- Find a mentor.
- Build your portfolio.
- Get connected.
- Pick up some experience.
- You put people first. ...
- You're interested in technology. ...
- You thrive on variety. ...
- You enjoy problem-solving. ...
- You're a good collaborator. ...
- You're prepared for a steep learning curve. ...
- You're a stickler for detail. ...
- You want to be creative and analytical.
Learning UX design can often be challenging. How difficult you'll find it to learn UX design, however, often depends on whether you're transitioning into it from a design background or a development background, or whether you have no experience in either.
Is Google UX certificate worth it? ›The course covers enough to set students up for entry-level jobs in the UX design space and is a well-respected certificate in the industry. Still, students and graduates of the Google UX Design Certificate should anticipate competition when applying for entry-level UX design jobs.
What should I learn first UX or UI? ›UX design usually comes first in the product development process, followed by UI. The UX designer maps out the bare bones of the user journey; the UI designer then fills it in with visual and interactive elements.
Does UI UX design require coding? ›In short: No, but it helps. Your success as a UX designer isn't tied to whether you can code or not; it's tied to your execution of the design-thinking process and if you are able to leverage mockup software to create designs that solve the actual problem at hand.
How do I become a UX designer without a degree? ›- Bootcamps provide you with real-world experience.
- Bootcamps take less time than traditional degrees.
- You'll get a high return on your investment.
- Bootcamps can quickly adapt to changes in the industry.
- Bootcamps can offer you a career-focused education.
- Final thoughts.
- Take at least one UX course. There's a ton of UX courses to explore. ...
- Shape your existing experience. Most UXBs come into this field thinking they have absolutely no UX experience. ...
- Fill in the Gaps. ...
- Gain UX experience. ...
- Finish your UX Portfolio and Apply.
Can I get a UI UX job without a degree? ›
No, you do not need a specific degree to be a UX Designer, but you do need the right hard and soft skills to be considered for a role in UX design.
Can you become a UI designer without a degree? ›You do not need a degree in a specific field to become a UI Designer. Certainly, a background in design can help you get started, but in reality, anyone can learn the necessary skills to land a career in UI design.
Which software is best for UI UX design? ›- Sketch. Anybody who has UI design experience knows about Sketch. ...
- InVision Studio. InVision Studio offers a range of UI software that designers need to create functional and fully-realized prototypes with dynamic animations and elements. ...
- Axure. ...
- Proto.io. ...
- Adobe XD. ...
- Marvel. ...
- Figma. ...
- Framer X.
What are the most popular UX design tools? Tools from Adobe's Creative Cloud are typically considered industry standards, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe XD. Other platforms, like Figma and InVision, are also popular UX design tools used across many companies and industries.
How do I start UX journey? ›- Step 1: I would enroll in Google's UX course. ...
- Step 2: I would find a Mentor. ...
- Step 3: I would join a Design Community. ...
- Step 4: Participate in Adobe XD Design Challenge. ...
- Step 5: Set up Milestones.
- CareerFoundry.
- Coursera.
- Skillshare.
- UX Academy.
- Interaction Design Foundation.
- Lynda.
- Udemy.
- SuperHi.
Understanding how to use data and qualitative feedback to help underline the importance of user experience problems and how to then use this information to tell a great story that convinces stakeholders is an art. And like any art it is hard.
Where can I practice UI UX design? ›- Hackdesign.
- Coursera.
- My. path.
- SKILLSHARE.
- GYMNASIUM.
- ecorp trainings.
- CAREERFOUNDRY.
- Lynda.
There are certainly exceptional self-taught graphic designers who have launched careers without a formal education. While it's true that it can be done, that doesn't mean it's the best route for you.
How long does it take to become a self-taught graphic designer? ›A typical university program can take four years, while a graphic design course or UX design bootcamp can range between a few weeks to a few months. Once a Designer has the foundational skills and knowledge of design, as well as a strong portfolio, they can begin freelancing.
Can I learn graphic design in 2 months? ›
Yes, you can grasp the basics of graphic design in 2 months, but it takes several years to master it. In fact, you'll learn that even decades later you can keep improving your skills.
Is it hard to become a UX designer? ›UX design can be challenging to learn for several reasons, including: Degree of difficulty. The skills needed to become a successful UX designer are fairly advanced, even for people who have a bachelor's or master's degree in design-related subjects.
How do I know if UX design is for me? ›- You put people first. ...
- You're interested in technology. ...
- You thrive on variety. ...
- You enjoy problem-solving. ...
- You're a good collaborator. ...
- You're prepared for a steep learning curve. ...
- You're a stickler for detail. ...
- You want to be creative and analytical.
The good news is that pretty much anyone can become a UX designer (there are stories of everyone from project managers to dentists switching careers to UX!) You can learn the technical skills of the UX design process over time.
Is UX design a stressful job? ›UX design is a field that can be very stressful. Many times, there are tight deadlines, and the designer must create a product that meets the needs of the client while also meeting their own personal standards.
What is the hardest part of UX design? ›Understanding how to use data and qualitative feedback to help underline the importance of user experience problems and how to then use this information to tell a great story that convinces stakeholders is an art. And like any art it is hard.
What skills do UX designers need? ›- Research. To effectively perform their jobs, UX designers must understand what their audiences want and how they view the world. ...
- Information Architecture. ...
- Wireframing. ...
- Prototyping. ...
- Visual Communication.
No, most UX Designers are not required to code (at least, not at an advanced level). However, it's still to their advantage to develop an understanding and appreciation for what Developers do.
How many hours do UX designers work? ›Generally, UX designers work 8-10 hours per day, but this can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. They may also work evenings or weekends as needed. UX designers typically have a degree in graphic design or another related field and have experience designing user interfaces.
How do I practice UX design? ›- Prune Your Vocabulary. Most people don't use the technical terms that we use in UX Design. ...
- Don't Follow the Yellow Brick Road. ...
- Recycle Your Creations. ...
- Break Out of the Box. ...
- Conduct a UX Review/Audit. ...
- Try Some New Tools. ...
- Set Time Aside to Read.
Is Google UX certificate worth it? ›
The course covers enough to set students up for entry-level jobs in the UX design space and is a well-respected certificate in the industry. Still, students and graduates of the Google UX Design Certificate should anticipate competition when applying for entry-level UX design jobs.
Is UX design for introverts? ›Being shy or an introvert doesn't mean you can't be a collaborative, articulate, and confident designer. It doesn't stop you from being passionate and thrive in your UX career.