Step 2. Motivation
Master UX in 15 steps.📍 Start
Do you really want to be a UX designer? UX design is an incredible but admittedly challenging job. Working in the industry requires a mix of technical, creative and soft skills, understanding of psychology, and analytical and critical thinking.
5 Things to Consider Before Diving into UX
- Opportunities
- Right mindset
- Personal traits
- Value of UX
- Obstacles
Opportunities
There is an increasing demand for UX designers. But it is worth investigating the job market and researching the situation in your region. The possibilities are out there for remote working; plus opportunities for new designers to start a career through junior positions and internships.
How much UX practitioners get paid? The average salary across the world is $57,117 pre year. The numbers vary from $3,666 in Indonesia to $97,492 in Switzerland.
Find out how much UX designers earn around the world on uxdesignersalaries.com
Do You Have the Right Mindset?
To became a successful UX designer the right mindset is crucial. UX is a complex field and continual self-development and acquisition of new skills are more important than natural talent.
The Power of belief — mindset and success (11 mins)
with Eduardo Briceno on TEDx Talks
Do you Have Traits of UX Designer?
Growth mindset is important as well as certain personal qualities:
- Curiosity about people and technology [1]
- Empathy
- Ability to learn quickly
- Problem solving
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Communicating and collaborating skills
- Receptiveness to feedback (willingness to accept constructive criticism and act on it) [1]
What Does a Career in UX Look Like Anyway? (24 mins)
with Matthew Magain on Userspots
The ‘UX’ umbrella is vast, which is a good thing for those of us who are still not sure what we want to be when we grow up! The necessity for designers to become generalists can open up numerous doors. But you have to be prepared to recognise them — and actually open them.
Value of UX
There are several core elements that make up fulfilling work: money, social status and the sense that your work has meaning. It’s important to realise if you can contribute to society and the world through UX.
To find work you love, don’t follow your passion (15 mins)
with Benjamin Todd on TEDx Talks
If you’re looking for a fulfilling career, here’s a new slogan to live by: Do what’s valuable.
Obstacles
Usually we hear how great, divers, challenging and meaningful UX work is. But what are the cons of being a UX designers?
- Most companies are looking for experience designers and there not many possibilities for eager designers without work experience. Companies not willing to invest in junior UX designers.
Tip: Read Jessica Ivins’ article Let’s Open Our Doors to Future UX Practitioners - There are a lot of misconceptions about UX. One of them is that UX designer should be able to do everything from business plans to coding. Therefore many companies are looking for unicorns.
- Finding remote position could be difficult. Because a lot of companies and designers are sceptical about remote in general. Luckily it’s changing...
If you are still eager to be a UX designer. I have a good news for you…
“It’s a great time to be a UX designer”
It’s a Great Time to be a UX Designer (1:28)
with Jared Spool on BostonCHI
