A Career in UX/UI Design: Your Blueprint in 2021

Are you looking to pivot into UX or UI design this year? UX jobs are in high demand, but you might not know where to start your design journey. What skills does a UX designer need? How do you learn these skills and what steps should I take first?

What skills does a UX designer need?

UX and UI design bridges the gap between tech and humanity. It’s such an interesting career, since designers need to not only have the hard skills and knowledge of how websites and apps work, but they also need to have empathy and understand how people think in order to give them the best experience on a platform. Hard skills like UX researching, wireframing, prototyping, information architecture, and visual communication are all important to set the groundwork. Soft skills like empathy, collaboration, communication, and adaptiveness are what will set a designer apart from the rest. On the day to day UX designers will spend a lot of time working and ideating with other designers and stakeholders. They need to have an open mind and be able to accept criticism as well as be creative and not be afraid to share a new idea, even if it seems impossible. 

How do you learn UX/UI Design skills?

If you don’t have any design experience, the best thing to do is learn as much as possible. Understanding basic design rules and principles will help you develop an eye for design and understand what makes an app or website enjoyable to use. You can start by reading books, listening to podcasts, or watching Youtube videos about design. Another great way to learn UX/UI design skills is to take some classes. Sign up to join our cohort and become a skilled UX designer in just three months! Courses like ours are hands on and personalized, setting you up for success.

How do you start a career in UX/UI Design?

Once you’ve learned the skills you need to be a good designer, it’s time to start your career! The first step is to build your portfolio. It can be difficult to get a job when you don’t have any design experience, so the best way to show employers your style and skills is to get creative. Think of a product you use a lot and try designing their website or app. You could also reach out to start-ups with ideas for their platform to see if they’d be able to hire you. Another option for designers just starting out is to find an internship. Not only will you learn a lot, it could open up lots of opportunities for full time positions!

Take the first step in starting your UX career today!

Sign up to be part of our cohort at Ideate Labs and become a confident UI/UX designer in just three months! Ideate Labs offers a personalized high touch learning experience. We meet one on one with students each week to work through any problems they’re facing. Unlike other programs, we let students pick their own project topics that they can turn into a side hustle to demonstrate valuable senior leadership skills.