How to Become a UX/UI Designer: It’s Never Too Late to Learn

In order to understand the essence of the work of such a designer, it is desirable to consider both components in the UX/UI job. After all, they are closely connected among themselves and, as a rule, both directions are realized by the same person though pursue different purposes. In this article, we will explain why it is not too late to master this IT field and how to get a dream job.

The very names UX and UI are similar but have different goals and mechanics of the work itself. UX design is focused on the study of user experience, and UI to develop and improve the user interface of the product. Actually, only after the end of the first, there comes the second stage.

User Experience Design has little in common with Java Developer or Front-End Developer. The work involves close interaction with marketing and business analytics and a lot of creativity in terms of design. You have to study user behavior through various studies, test your ideas on specific users. In general, it generates all the necessary information for subsequent implementation on the UI-stage.

UX/UI designer deals with the following tasks:

• collects data about the project and its target audience;
• designs scenarios for users;
• develops the concept in the context of style;
• writes instructions regarding fonts, sizes and colour palette;
• creates layouts and prototypes;
• draws interfaces in design programs.

A special feature of this specialty is the ability to work outside the office. About one to five of all UX/UI designers work on projects outside the office.

In order to really become a professional in your business, you need:

• master graphic editors (except Adobe Photoshop, there are many other interesting products, including Sketch, After Effect, Principle and others);
• study marketing and psychology, as well as basic analytics;
• have a basic understanding of JavaScript, frameworks, and layout.

Besides the technical part of the design, it is also important to understand the methodology in general. The basis for a designer is as important as an academic education for a musician or artist. In addition, do not hesitate to borrow someone else’s experience. Inspiration is an important thing, but development is impossible without constant new information.

Feel it. The job of a designer is to notice the patterns around, to understand why people behave in a certain way. To try to become in their place and to feel that they feel. Yes, yes, it’s all about empathy. It needs to be pumped, too. You can also try going to a UI/UX design bootcamp.

Try it. As it was said, to become a designer, you need practice. So take your favorite application and try to redraw it first. At the same time, learn how to use mockups (box mockup). The next step is to try to improve this interface, to rework it.

An internship. Perhaps the best way to become a UI/UX designer is to start working with it. Try to find an internship, if not a full-fledged job, to begin with. It will be difficult, but it is a valuable experience.