UX and UI design are key aspects in the creation of any product, be it a website, mobile application, game, or other software. UX design, from English user experience design, is the process of creating a product that delivers a pleasant experience for the user. UI design, from English user interface design, is the creation of an attractive, convenient, and understandable user interface.
Simply put, UX is the functionality of the interface, UI is its appearance.
What do interface designers do?
Interface designers create products that best meet the needs and expectations of users. UI designers work with the appearance of the interface, such elements as buttons, icons, fonts, and colors, to make the interface user-friendly. UX designers create interface concepts, develop product usage paths, and test them to ensure they meet user needs.
Project Work Stages
An interface designer's work goes through several stages. First, the designer analyzes competitors and the target audience to identify key product features and evaluate how users will perceive it. After the UI/UX designer has decided on the concept and begun developing the interface design, the prototyping stage begins. Here, the designer creates several mockups that will be used for further work on the project.
As a rule, specialized programs such as Sketch Up, Figma, or Adobe XD are used at this stage. With their help, you can create interactive prototypes, animations, and other design elements that will help evaluate the usability of the interface.
After creating the prototype, the UI/UX designer works on refining the design based on feedback received from the client or testers. At this stage, details are clarified, errors are corrected, and changes are made to the interface design.
Knowledge and ability: what skills a UX/UI designer should have
To become a successful interface designer, you need to have knowledge in the field of design, visual design, typography, color, user experience principles, and interface. For a designer, it is also important to be visually inclined and to think creatively.
A designer must also be able to work with graphic tools and auxiliary programs, including the following software:
- Sketch Up;
- Figma;
- Adobe Photoshop;
- Principle;
- UXPin;
- Miro;
- Customer Journey map;
- Procreate.
As for personal skills, it is important for a designer to:
- be able to work in a team, set tasks for themselves and other participants in the development process, delegate and control the result;
- be able to combine a creative and analytical approach: find non-standard solutions, but at the same time meet deadlines for completing tasks and analyze the results.
Who is this job suitable for?
Work A UX/UI designer can be a great fit for a wide range of people: both creative individuals and techies will be able to showcase their strengths. From a humanities perspective, soft skills are essential in a designer's work: empathy, the ability to put yourself in the user's shoes, and communication skills with a variety of specialists. From a technical perspective, those skilled in using graphic editors and analyzing and organizing information will have an advantage.
Demand for the Profession
Almost every business, from a major oil and gas corporation to a nail salon, has its own website or app. The pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of society, and the need for designers has only grown. Freelancing has become increasingly popular for UX/UI specialists, but they haven't forgotten about formal employment with IT companies either.
How to become a UX/UI designer from scratch on your own
First and foremost, it's important to develop personal qualities, such as:
- observational skills. By studying high-quality websites and apps, you can glean a wealth of ideas and understand why and how people like them;
- Design thinking: the ability not only to see but also to solve problems;
- Speaking skills – public speaking is essential for a designer, as they need to present ideas in a way that appeals to colleagues and management.
Also, a good way to gain basic knowledge is to start working with a personal mentor. This should be an experienced person with good teaching skills. Mentors can show their real tasks, demonstrate their work process, and motivate you to continue learning.
The best way to start a career is to complete an internship at a company that specializes in UX/UI design. Unfortunately, this is incredibly difficult, as even unpaid internships require applicants to compete—potential employers expect at least minimal experience and a portfolio.
If you have some experience or a general understanding of the profession, you can watch webinars and intensive courses, complete assignments, and connect with like-minded individuals. Skillbox also offers such activities.
For beginners, online courses in UX design and related professions at Skillbox can be a solution. The flexible schedule and online format make it easy to combine study with work and learn from anywhere in the world. During the training, a lot of time is spent practicing the necessary skills on real-world tasks with practicing designers and team leaders. Upon completion of the training, you will have a portfolio that will help you apply for a junior-level position—that is, an entry-level position with a salary and growth prospects.
Tips for aspiring UI/UX designers
Even if you haven't found a job yet, that's no reason to give up on your dream. While you're waiting for an employer, you can do the following:
- Register on special services for designers: Behance, Dribbble, Uplabs, Pttrns. By studying the information on them, you can develop your visual acuity, analyze interesting cases, and learn what's trending now. And also - post your work, get feedback, communicate with like-minded people;
- create a website on Tilda, Readymag or similar. This way, your cases will have a better chance of being seen by potential clients;
- Study blogs on the topic, for example: UX Collective, Smashing Magazine, io, UX Planet, Design + Sketch, Uxcel, UxJournal, InVision Studio;
- read books from classics of the genre: "The Design of Everyday Things" by Donald Norman, "The Art of Color" by Johannes Itten, "Mobile First!" by Luke Wroblewski and many others.