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How to Become a UI/UX Designer
Take a second and think about your favorite app or website. The one you open first when you pick up your phone or open your laptop and keep coming back to over and over again.
What makes it your favorite? Is it the easy navigation or the way it looks on your screen?
There’s a good chance you enjoy the app or site because it has a great user interface (UI), which is what you see when you open it, and a great user experience (UX), which is how it feels to use it.
Great UI and UX are the result of thoughtful design processes that help people connect with, navigate, and utilize apps, websites, and other online tools. UI and UX designers are skilled professionals who use consumer data, design theory, and best practices to craft these experiences.
The first step to becoming a UI or UX designer is wanting to create a product users will love. In this guide, we’ll walk through the basic skills, education requirements, and UI and UX design job duties.
What makes it your favorite? Is it the easy navigation or the way it looks on your screen?
There’s a good chance you enjoy the app or site because it has a great user interface (UI), which is what you see when you open it, and a great user experience (UX), which is how it feels to use it.
Great UI and UX are the result of thoughtful design processes that help people connect with, navigate, and utilize apps, websites, and other online tools. UI and UX designers are skilled professionals who use consumer data, design theory, and best practices to craft these experiences.
The first step to becoming a UI or UX designer is wanting to create a product users will love. In this guide, we’ll walk through the basic skills, education requirements, and UI and UX design job duties.
What are UI and UX designers?
UI and UX designers have two different roles within web development and design. Their jobs are not interchangeable, but many of their tasks and skills can overlap.
What’s the difference between UI design and UX design?
UI designers focus on the visual elements of an app or website. They’re responsible for designing the look and style of the interactive interface. They ensure that the layout, color scheme, button designs, images, sliders, and all other visual elements are cohesive and aesthetically pleasing.
UX designers, on the other hand, focus on how the app or website feels to the user. They enhance user satisfaction by improving usability and accessibility. UX designers conduct user research, design, write copy, validate and test with users, and present the design solution. They aim to minimize user friction while making the user experience as intuitive as possible.
UX designers, on the other hand, focus on how the app or website feels to the user. They enhance user satisfaction by improving usability and accessibility. UX designers conduct user research, design, write copy, validate and test with users, and present the design solution. They aim to minimize user friction while making the user experience as intuitive as possible.
There are several ways UI and UX designers’ work overlaps, and they may often work together to achieve common goals. Both types of designers care about the following things:
- Goal-oriented design. UI and UX designers aim to create a product that’s easy to use, efficient, and enjoyable.
- User research. Both types of designers need to understand who their users are, what they want, and how they interact with the product.
- Design principles. UI and UX designers use similar design principles like consistency, simplicity, and clarity to guide their decision-making processes.
- Collaboration. UI and UX designers often work together throughout the design process, collaborating on wireframing, prototyping, and testing. They also collaborate with cross-functional teams that can include engineers, product managers, and marketers.
- Iterative processes. Both UI and UX designers design and test their products, then gather feedback from users and refine based on their findings.
- User satisfaction. Ultimately, UI and UX designers focus on creating products that look good, work well, and meet users’ needs.
Key skills and qualifications for UI and UX design.
UI and UX designers need a diverse skillset to do their jobs well. In addition to strong problem-solving and communication skills, most UX and UI designers have the following qualities:
- They’re proficient in design software, including Adobe XD, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Figma.
- They understand the principles of user-centered design (UCD). That involves knowing their users’ needs, values, abilities, and limitations.
- They understand design principles like color theory, typography, and composition. Moreover, they know how typography influences text readability and accessibility.
- They can manage the design process from start to finish, creating wireframes, storyboards, sitemaps, screen flows, and high-fidelity prototypes.
- They can conduct user research, surveys, and interviews. They’re also skilled at interpreting the results of these interviews and user tests.
- They can organize and structure information in a clear, understandable information architecture (IA).
- In some cases, UX and UI designers have a strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — the building blocks of many user experiences.
UI and UX designer salary insights.
How much can you earn as a UI or UX designer? As in most industries, it depends on several factors. Experience plays a part, but so do location and industry.
For UI designers, the median estimated annual salary in the US is roughly $94,000. Senior-level roles will likely pay more. Glassdoor estimates that for all years of experience, a likely range for this role could be between $76,000 and $116,000 annually. Check Glassdoor for the most up-to-date information.
UX designers enjoy similarly high salaries, with Glassdoor’s estimated annual range between $80,000 and $123,000. The median estimated salary, $99,111, makes UX design an attractive field for code-minded, process-focused people who want to make great products.
While experience and location are important salary indicators, another way to raise your pay as a UI or UX designer is to pursue additional certifications in methodology, coding languages, and software. Adobe Certified Professionals showcase their web design credentials and prove they have the skills and competencies to do the job well.
For UI designers, the median estimated annual salary in the US is roughly $94,000. Senior-level roles will likely pay more. Glassdoor estimates that for all years of experience, a likely range for this role could be between $76,000 and $116,000 annually. Check Glassdoor for the most up-to-date information.
UX designers enjoy similarly high salaries, with Glassdoor’s estimated annual range between $80,000 and $123,000. The median estimated salary, $99,111, makes UX design an attractive field for code-minded, process-focused people who want to make great products.
While experience and location are important salary indicators, another way to raise your pay as a UI or UX designer is to pursue additional certifications in methodology, coding languages, and software. Adobe Certified Professionals showcase their web design credentials and prove they have the skills and competencies to do the job well.
UI and UX designer jobs and career paths.
UI and UX designers are necessary for any company designing digital products, which means that they can work in many different sectors. They can create mobile apps for tech startups or improve the online shopping experience for an ecommerce giant.
Career growth in this field is promising, too. Junior designers can move to senior-level work and beyond, eventually leading whole departments. They can specialize in interaction design, information architecture, user research, or visual design. And there are many opportunities for freelancing as well.
Career growth in this field is promising, too. Junior designers can move to senior-level work and beyond, eventually leading whole departments. They can specialize in interaction design, information architecture, user research, or visual design. And there are many opportunities for freelancing as well.
How to become a UI or UX designer: A step-by-step guide.
Ready to jump into the UI or UX field? From understanding what the job entails to taking certification exams, the following tips can help:
Research the field.
Because UI and UX designers have different duties, you need to determine which role you find most interesting. Are you more focused on visuals, or do you like knowing what makes a great experience?
Once you know the answer to these questions, explore successful UI or UX design examples and case studies. By researching how the principles and skills deliver results, you’ll know if you have what it takes to enter the field.
Once you know the answer to these questions, explore successful UI or UX design examples and case studies. By researching how the principles and skills deliver results, you’ll know if you have what it takes to enter the field.
Pursue education and training.
Because UI and UX designers have different duties, you need to determine which role you find most interesting. Are you more focused on visuals, or do you like knowing what makes a great experience?
Once you know the answer to these questions, explore successful UI or UX design examples and case studies. By researching how the principles and skills deliver results, you’ll know if you have what it takes to enter the field.
Once you know the answer to these questions, explore successful UI or UX design examples and case studies. By researching how the principles and skills deliver results, you’ll know if you have what it takes to enter the field.
Gain practical experience.
Real-world experience helps you develop design skills as well as core skills like communication, collaboration, and the ability to work under deadlines. Internships, freelance projects, and volunteer opportunities can often be great low-stakes introductions to the field.
Build a portfolio.
Your design portfolio is the first point of contact between you and potential employers or clients. Think of it as a visual resume. If your resume lists your achievements, your portfolio showcases your skills, creativity, and design process. It helps set you apart from other candidates and could even play a part in helping you land your dream job or project.The best way to create a great portfolio is to do the following:
- Showcase your best work. Quality over quantity. Include your best projects that demonstrate your range of skills.
- Tell a story. Each project in your portfolio should tell a story. Explain the problem you were solving, your process, the challenges you faced, and the ultimate solution.
- Include collaborative projects. If you’ve worked on team projects, include them to show your ability to collaborate effectively.
- Show your design process. Employers want to understand how you work. Show your sketches, wireframes, iterations, and user testing results.
- Make it user-friendly. Ensure that your portfolio is easy to navigate. You want potential employers to easily find what makes you a top candidate.
- Keep it updated. Regularly update your portfolio with new projects and remove older ones that no longer represent your current skills and style.
You can use Adobe’s creative apps to help develop your portfolio. Adobe Portfolio enables you to create a fully responsive site to showcase your creativity. Also consider showcasing your work on creative social networks like Behance.
Network and industry involvement.
Whether you’re a novice designer, a freelancer, or a seasoned pro, it’s important to meet and connect with peers, mentors, and potential clients in your industry. You can build your network by attending design events, conferences, and meetups, and you can also join online communities. You never know who you’ll meet, and making a great impression could help you land a job in the future.
Explore careers in UI and UX design.
UI and UX design are essential to today’s digital landscape. Companies that prioritize good UI and UX ensure that their products have an opportunity to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Talented UI and UX designers have a significant impact on product development teams, while enjoying satisfying and profitable careers.
Frequently asked questions
What do UI and UX designers do on a daily basis?
UI and UX designers engage in various tasks to ensure that their user interfaces are as intuitive and appealing as possible. While their specific activities can vary depending on projects or companies, common tasks include research, ideating and designing, testing design effectiveness, and analyzing user data to see how things are working.
How long does it take to become a UI or UX designer?
The timeline can vary based on factors like your starting point, formal education, and how much time you can dedicate to practicing your craft. Obtaining a UX-centric degree can take anywhere from two years for an associate degree to six years for a graduate one.
In some cases, you can go through a crash course or design “boot camp” experience to develop those skills over a period of around 12 weeks.
In some cases, you can go through a crash course or design “boot camp” experience to develop those skills over a period of around 12 weeks.
Is coding knowledge necessary for UI or UX designers?
This is a topic of debate. Some sources, such as the Flatiron School and UXbeginner.com, say it isn’t strictly necessary for UI and UX designers to know how to code. The primary role of these designers is to understand user needs and create user-friendly designs. But understanding code can be helpful, especially when communicating with developers. HTML and CSS are languages that developers use to implement many UI/UX designs, so knowing the basics can be beneficial.
How do UI and UX designers differ from graphic designers?
UI designers focus on an app or website’s look and feel, presentation, and interactivity. UX designers focus on functionality. Graphic designers prioritize creating visually engaging imagery and layouts for various mediums. They may contribute to the efforts of UI and UX designers, but they have different responsibilities and artistic priorities.
What certifications can I get to become a UI or UX designer?
There are many certifications that can help propel your career as a UI or UX designer, including programs from colleges like CalArts and UCLA, and industry leaders like Google, General Assembly, and Adobe.
Adobe certification programs enable you to demonstrate your expertise with Adobe apps and your understanding of design fundamentals. You should consider earning a specialty credential as an Adobe Certified Professional in Web Design, which will prove your mastery of Adobe Dreamweaver and/or Photoshop and Animate.
Adobe certification programs enable you to demonstrate your expertise with Adobe apps and your understanding of design fundamentals. You should consider earning a specialty credential as an Adobe Certified Professional in Web Design, which will prove your mastery of Adobe Dreamweaver and/or Photoshop and Animate.
Explore the benefits of Adobe certification.
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