Starting a career in UI/UX Design
UI/UX Design has become a popular no-code tech skill and more people are venturing into it by the day. Do you want to start a career in UI/UX design as well? Then this is for you.
Let’s get familiar with what UI/UX Design is about.
User Experience(UX) is about creating the best experience for your users. This is possible by researching your users. Research carried out on users inform the designs of a product. It aligns user pain points with the product. It is also called User-centered design because it keeps the user at the heart of everything designed.
On the other hand, User Interface(UI) focuses on the visual layout of a product. The interactive elements in the product from as little as the icons to the whole product design.
UI and UX designs work hand in hand to give users the best experience. UX can be referred to as the skeleton and UI, the flesh.
The constant word in UI and UX design is the User. This sets it apart from every other no-code tech skill. UI and UX design are interested in people, how they interact with products, what makes them carry out certain decisions, what do they want and how it can be presented to them giving the best experience.
Think of an app or website that offers value to you and what you feel when navigating them, are they seamless or difficult to navigate? Your experience while going through the app or website will determine if you’ll go back to the app or ignore it.
Simply put, UI/UX Design is about solving problems, creating products or experiences that solve a problem.
Do you still want to start a career in UI/UX Design?
Then you should do these:
- Research:
Find out what UI/UX entails, this will help you know if it is the right career choice for you.
UI/UX is broad and carrying out research will help you know if it is the right choice for you. Don’t do it because it is a popular skill. Let your choice be based on research and understanding what it entails.
2. Learn Key Principles:
The world of UI/UX is user-centric and from this, there are other principles guiding it. They include: Color theory, Design system, Accessibility and many more. Learn them.
The word “user” is a constant phrase in UI/UX design and this is because it designs for people by solving a need they don’t know they have sometimes.
3. Start Learning:
Learning is a sure path to becoming a UI/UX Designer.
Start with a credible course that allows hands-on training.
Project-based learning helps you master what you’ve learnt.
There are a lot of courses that will inform your learning and you can also sign up with a credible academy to start.
4. Practice:
Get familiar with the tools and practice with the principles in mind. It will help sharpen your skills.
Practice with templates or do volunteer designs.
You can as well join design challenges such as #dailyuichallenge
5. Join a Community:
Networking helps you meet people who are in the field. It opens you to opportunities to learn, collaborate, talk about your frustrations and have fun.
One of the sure ways to win in tech is through collaboration and honestly, you can’t do it alone. Join communities like Design Pal and UX Design Community to enhance your growth in the space.
Starting a new skill takes consistency. Give yourself room to make mistakes, we make them so we can learn. Starting is easy, the question is will you show up every day?
UI/UX design is beyond fine designs, it’s about problem-solving, communication amongst others.
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Kindly leave a comment if you find this helpful.
