How To Become a Junior UX Designer : A Blueprint for 2023
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There is much to be said for why UX is an incredibly hot and necessary field:
Product Design and UX Design came in 1st and 2nd on the list of “20 Most In-Demand Digital Creative Talent for 2020.”
UX Design is a growing, in-demand field with lucrative salaries starting at $65,000 and average salaries in US of well
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” — Steve Jobs.
📌 UX Research
User experience research is the process of gathering and analyzing data about users' behaviors, needs, and perceptions of a product, service, or system. The goal of user experience research is to understand the user's experience and identify opportunities for improving it.
User experience research can take many forms, including surveys, interviews, usability testing, card sorting, and other qualitative and quantitative research methods. These methods can help designers and researchers gain insight into users' motivations, goals, and pain points, which can inform the design of better products and services.
The data gathered from user experience research can also help stakeholders and decision-makers understand the user's perspective and make informed decisions about product development, marketing, and other business decisions.
User Research Basics The types of user research you can or should perform will depend on the type of site, system or app you are developing, your timeline, and your environment.
Learn UX Research Methods with GIFs For those who don’t like to read long articles, GIFs will help to understand different User research methods quickly. And those who already know these methods can just smile.
Just Enough Research Good research is about asking more and better questions, and thinking critically about the answers. Done well, it will save your team time and money by reducing unknowns and creating a solid foundation to build the right thing, in the most effective way.
UX Research Cheat Sheet. User research can be done at any point in the design cycle. This list of methods and activities can help you decide which to use when.
📌 What is UX Design?
"User experience" encompasses all aspects of the end-user's interaction with the company, its services, and its products. (NNG) . User Experience refers to how a person feels when they interact with a product, service, or system. UX design is the process of creating and designing products that are both useful and enjoyable to use, while also meeting the user's needs and expectations.
UX design involves understanding the users' behaviors, goals, and needs through research and analysis, and then creating design solutions that address these needs. This can include designing interfaces that are easy to navigate, creating visual designs that are aesthetically pleasing, and ensuring that the product meets the user's expectations.
In summary, UX design is about creating products that are intuitive, user-friendly, and enjoyable to use, in order to provide the best possible experience for the user.
The 101
The Definition of User Experience (UX). True user experience goes far beyond giving customers what they say they want, or providing checklist features.
User Experience Design Process. Overview of Stakeholders and Activities involved in each stage
“No product is an island. A product is more than the product. It is a cohesive, integrated set of experiences. Think through all of the stages of a product or service – from initial intentions through final reflections, from the first usage to help, service, and maintenance. Make them all work together seamlessly.”
— Don Norman, inventor of the term “User Experience.”
Design Thinking
An Introduction to Design Thinking PROCESS GUIDE A PDF on the design thinking process fro Stanford’s D School
The Design Sprint The sprint is a five-day process for answering critical business questions through design, prototyping, and testing ideas with customers. Developed at GV, it’s a “greatest hits” of business strategy, innovation, behavior science, design thinking, and more—packaged into a battle-tested process that any team can use.
📌 What is UI Design?
UI stands for User Interface, which refers to the visual and interactive elements of a product, service, or system that a user interacts with in order to perform tasks or access information.
UI design is the process of designing these visual and interactive elements, such as buttons, menus, icons, and typography, to make them intuitive, easy to use, and aesthetically pleasing. UI designers aim to create interfaces that are visually appealing and provide a seamless user experience.
UI design is closely related to UX design, as the two are often intertwined in the process of creating digital products. While UX design is concerned with the overall user experience, UI design is focused specifically on the visual and interactive design elements of the interface.
Design Resources
Design System Repo A frequently updated collection of Design System examples, articles, tools and talks.
Material Design Material 3 is the latest version of Google’s open-source design system. Design and build beautiful, usable products with Material 3.
📌 How to get a job in UX as a junior designer?
Develop your skills and knowledge. Start by learning as much as you can about UX design. Read books, blogs, and articles on UX design principles, methodologies, and best practices. Learn popular design tools such as Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, and InVision. Consider enrolling in online courses or attending design workshops and conferences. Some other ideas:
Build a portfolio: As a junior designer, it's important to showcase your skills and projects to potential employers. Build a portfolio that demonstrates your design skills, thought process, and problem-solving ability. Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your range of skills and design thinking.
Network with other designers: Attend design meetups, conferences, and events. Join design communities on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Connect with other designers, UX professionals, and mentors who can provide advice, guidance, and job opportunities.
Apply for internships: Consider applying for internships or entry-level positions that can help you gain real-world experience and build your portfolio. Go to LinkedIn to locate internships with specific companies, especially during Winter and Spring months.
Apply for junior UX designer roles: Look for junior UX designer roles at companies that you are interested in working for. Make sure your portfolio and resume are up-to-date and tailored to the position you are applying for. Be prepared to showcase your design skills and talk about your design process during the interview process.
In summary, to get a job in UX as a junior designer, focus on developing your skills and knowledge, building a portfolio, networking with other designers, applying for internships, and applying for junior UX designer roles. With hard work and persistence, you can land your first UX design job.
The skinny on the job market
Is it hard to get a job in UX? Is it hard to get a job in UX? The short answer? Yes, it is. However, it is not impossible. With the proper guidance, tips, and tricks, you can smoothly get your way into the UX industry. But how would you do that?
8 Reasons Why You Still Don’t Have a UX Job There are a lot of reasons why you may not have a UX job, but here are some reasons why you can’t get a job in the UX industry. Sometimes there are things you could be doing better and sometimes it isn’t your fault.
📌 How hard is it to get a job in UX design?
Getting a job in UX design can be challenging, but it's possible with the right skills, experience, and approach. The level of difficulty in landing a job in UX design can vary depending on a number of factors, including your level of experience, the demand for UX designers in your area, and the overall state of the job market.
One of the key factors that can affect the difficulty of getting a job in UX design is the level of competition for available positions. As UX design continues to grow in importance and popularity, there is an increasing number of professionals entering the field, which can make it more challenging for job seekers to stand out.
Another factor that can influence the level of difficulty in landing a UX design job is your level of experience. Junior UX designers, for example, may find it more challenging to secure a job as they are still building their skills and developing their portfolio.
Additionally, the demand for UX designers can vary depending on the industry and location. Certain industries, such as technology, finance, and healthcare, may have a higher demand for UX designers, while other industries may have fewer opportunities available.
Despite these challenges, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of landing a job in UX design. These include developing a strong understanding of UX design principles and methodologies, building a portfolio that showcases your design skills and process, gaining real-world experience through internships, freelance work, or personal projects, networking with other designers and industry professionals, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in UX design.