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Getting started in UX Design: 10 Tips to Accelerate Your Design Journey
Steven Wang
March 17, 2023
Starting a career in UX design can be both exciting and daunting, there is so much to discover and so much that you don’t know. You want to know what is good design vs bad design and how you can position yourself in the design job market to be a memorable candidate to potential employers and clients. Well, here are 10 tips I want to give you today so that you can start your design journey:
Understand the field: Familiarize yourself with UX design principles, terminology, methodologies, and best practices. Read books, articles, and blog posts by industry leaders, and follow design-related social media accounts and podcasts such as The Futur.
Learn the tools: Get comfortable with popular design and prototyping tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, Figma, InVision, and Balsamiq. Practice using these tools to create wireframes, mockups, and prototypes for various projects. But don’t forget other collaboration tools like Miro which are great for online digital workshops with users and brainstorming ideas.
Build a strong foundation: Learn the basics of visual design, including color theory, typography, layout, and hierarchy. Additionally, learn about user-centered design, user research, and interaction design. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops to build your skillset - Companies like Google offer their own certifications for design Udemy and Coursera are also great places to start, even YouTube has great content for aspiring designers.
Develop a portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your design projects and demonstrating your UX design prowess. Include case studies that detail your research, ideation, iteration, and testing phases. If you're just starting, work on personal projects or offer your services to non-profits, friends, or family to build a portfolio of experience to showcase. Remember, there is no stronger evidence of your skill than showing outcomes - learning the process is the first step but showing that you have completed projects from start to finish will set you apart from other candidates. Check out the work of Tony Moura, a Senior UX Designer at IBM: https://tmoura.carbonmade.com/
Network: Connect with other designers and professionals in the UX field through social media, online forums, and local meetups. Attend conferences and workshops to learn from experts and expand your network. LinkedIn is also another great way to start discovering people in the design industry, there are many designers on the platform where you can see their posts and build new relationships that can turn into career opportunities.
Gain real-world experience: Apply for internships, freelance gigs, or entry-level UX design positions to gain hands-on experience. This will help you understand the day-to-day challenges and expectations in a professional environment. Nothing beats real experience.
Improve your soft skills: As a UX designer, you'll need strong communication, collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving skills. Practice presenting your work, working in teams, and empathizing with users to develop these abilities.
Stay current: The UX design field is constantly evolving. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, tools, and techniques by subscribing to newsletters, attending webinars, and participating in online discussions. An important thing is to understand the industry you want to be a designer in, for instance, if you want to work for a big tech company - keeping up with their technology offerings and the platforms they use is a good way to make you a better fit for that industry.
Certifications and education: While not always required, obtaining a UX design certification or degree can help you stand out from other candidates. Look for reputable programs or courses that offer comprehensive training and a well-rounded curriculum. Bootcamps also offer a more intensive short term training for aspiring designers.
Tailor your application: When applying for design jobs, customize your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments. Showcase your passion for UX design and demonstrate how you can add value to the company.
By taking action on these 10 tips I have shared with you today, you will be more than one step closer to your dream design role. Remember that design is a constantly evolving field and we need to be lifelong learners to ensure we are able to provide value and impact for the market and our users!