A career in UX design is an appealing option for many aspiring students. Moreover, if you are currently working in a completely different sphere and want to switch to UX design, you can do it after some training and practice. Without further ado, here’s how to become a UX designer from scratch and where to start learning.
So, what exactly do you need to become a UX designer? Because a UX designer’s job combines a variety of skills, you will need to first get relevant education or training before you can start getting experience in the field. Essentially, UX design combines market research, product or service development, and design.
UX designers make sure that customers have positive experiences when interacting with a company selling the said product or service. UX designers need to take into account the way the product is designed as well as the perspective of the buyers. Professionals in UX design often cross into the niche from adjacent fields such as digital marketing, visual design, web and software development, and others.
Before you start receiving formal education in UX design, you can already start learning about it yourself. There are different resources online that explain the key principles of UX design as well as the main methods and processes involved in the job. When it comes to actual education, you have three main options:
Which option works for you best will depend entirely on your own preferences and goals. Because UX design is a relatively young field, there is still no one certain way to break into the industry. You have many options when it comes to studying, but it’s important to get experience afterward as well. You will definitely need some kind of education or training, but every option has its own pros and cons, so you should choose carefully.
The first option is to enroll in a degree program at a college or university. You can also look for diploma or certificate programs that are generally shorter than degree programs. If you need help researching available programs, you can check writing service reviews at All Top Reviews to find an experienced writer who will help you with the research and find good programs for you.
The biggest benefit of having a degree in UX design is that you will have proper higher education. Moreover, while you are studying, you can look for a part-time job in UX design or an adjacent field to get experience and graduate with several years of experience already.
Obviously, the biggest downside is that it will take you several years to complete your program, but you can look for shorter programs that will give you a diploma or certificate. This option is also by far the most expensive one of the three
Here are some universities and colleges that offer programs in UX design:
Your second option is to enroll in an online course in UX design. You can search for such courses on dedicated digital education platforms such as Coursera, edX, or Udemy. The biggest advantage of this option is that it is more affordable than most offline programs – in fact, you can even find courses offered completely free of charge.
Of course, there are downsides to this option as well. If you are not particularly organized, it can be hard to stick to the course and complete it. You should also be aware of the fact that some employers could be very demanding and will require you to have “real” education in UX design (i.e. a degree or diploma) and will disregard the courses you completed. That being said, most employers look at your experience rather than education.
Here are some online courses in UX design:
One more option you have when it comes to studying UX design is mentorship. By finding a mentor who can teach you everything they know, you can receive very individualized and personalized education in the field. Besides, you will be taught by a real UX designer with experience in the industry.
A good place to find mentors in UX design is ADPList. You can connect with real professionals who have experience in the field as well as the skills necessary to teach aspiring UX designers successfully. And if you don’t like being taught by one mentor, you can always choose another one who will be more suitable for your needs.
All in all, learning UX design and pursuing a career in this field is definitely a great option both for young professionals who are just starting out and experienced specialists from other fields who want a career change. Use the tips in this article to help you decide how you will study UX design and prepare for your new job.
Kristen Bray is a professional writer and blogger. She mainly covers topics such as blogging, digital marketing, and self-education. In her free time, she practices yoga and also travels.
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