2022- Getting job as UX/UI designer
With the increasing demand of UX/UI designer the market is getting more and more competitive. Graphic designers, coders, engineers, artists everyone is heading towards becoming UX/UI designers primarily because of the reasons that it is a subtle mixture of creative & technical thinking and also because the job pays really well.
So the question is how do you make out the most of it? Ans. By getting a job as one. But, how are you going to get the job as UX/UI designer?
I learned everything in the hard way and have thoroughly noted the process I went through so that you don't have to face any problem.
Let me assume that you are on the level 0 and getting job is level 1. Let’s know how to get from 0 to 1 (inspired by Book- ZERO TO ONE, notes on startup).
1st Step. What is this field about & what’s the scope?
UX- User experience- As an UX designer you need to be empathetic towards the user. You essentially need to critically research what do the users do & why they do it. Primary role- Conduct research.
UI- User Interface- As an UI designer you need to be creative & should have decent knowledge of color, typography, grid system & alignments & many other design aspects. Primary role- Design Screens (web/app).
Resources that will help you out;
- Medium
- You tube
- Peers
2nd Step. What are the tools needed to learn for UXUI designing?
Figma- One of the most commonly used design tool that is used by professionals as well as junior designers. Learning period — 15 days to 1 month. Easy to learn.(My recommendation)
Adobe XD- Adobe XD is a UX design tool through which you can produce app or web screen designs. Learning period — 1month
Sketch- Works essentially same as Figma.— 15 days to 1 month. Easy to learn
Note: All tools behave mostly in the same way.. Learning one Grab the design knowledge first and application of all these tools will be easy.
3rd Step. How to get better at designing to compete in market?
Practice & iterate(on loop). I will suggest some sources and link you may follow. If your target is to get the job, you may learn the tool as well as design basic simultaneously which saves time.
You tube channels;
Malewicz You tube channel,
Websites;
Medium, Dribbble, Behance, LinkedIn
Material design, iOS design
Books;
The Design Of Everyday Things(Don Norman) ,
Lean UX- (Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden),
Don’t Make Me Think(Steve Krug),
100 Things Every designer Needs to Know About the user(Susan Weinschenk)
Courses;
Google UX design certificate course(by coursera) ,
Interaction Design Foundation Course,
CareerFoundry Course,
4th Step. How to make a portfolio?
After acquiring decent UX design knowledge start making a portfolio showcasing your design and critical thinking ability.
Portfolio can be a website or pdf file which will contain some description about you & your background & case studies of products(Minimum 3 case studies).
What is a portfolio? A portfolio, essentially a design portfolio is simply a digital document which consist structured detail about you, your way of designing & your designs. When applying for UX design role, these designs essentially needs to be the case studies of apps or websites or similar products.
Where to make portfolio?
Ans. Wix(Recommended), Squarspace, Behance or (pdf*going to be obsolete)
How should a portfolio look?
What is a case study? A case study is structured document where you showcase your problem solving ability through your designs and research. In simple words, take an app, read the app store reviews go through it thoroughly and try to solve the problem with your research and designs that you face or you think that user faces. Try to document your procedure, Viola- a case study.
Where to make case studies?
Ans. Behance, Figma, Adobe Xd or (pdf*going to be obsolete)
How should a case study look?
Ans. Food app case study
Final Step. How to reach Job recruiters?
Ans. LinkedIn & social media.
LinkedIn-
- Mark yourself open to work and update your bio for UX designing.
- Keep sharing and uploading design news & your designs.
- Grow Your connections & send cold mails and texts to the users looking for UXUI designers.
- Update your resume also and send pdf version of resume in cold email.
- Attach resume, portfolio as well as behance link of yours along with the Dms & emails.
Social Media/ Behance/ Dribbble/ Pinterest-
- Upload designs and related content regularly.
- Start freelancing through Instagram Dms.
- Send cold Dms if you want to work with some of the good UXUI designers..
- Regularly engage with Instagram and you tube designers community either through comments or live sessions.
- Follow design influencers.
So, I started my journey as 0 and have worked for startups ranging from Tech savvy Metaverse startups to pan nation food eatery app. I honeslty hope this blog helps you out in some way. Good luck.
Arup- Designing dreams, Firstly mine.
