The role of the UX designer will only grow and become more important as we move into the future, and this is not surprising. Like one who can do products or services more convenient, enjoyable and affordable with technology every day it is a role that is both meaningful and rewarding.
Take a look at the top stats to get an idea of just how in-demand the role of a UX designer is;
In this article, we’re going to look at 7 steps to become a complete UX designer and be ready to go!
7 Steps to Become a Job Ready UX Designer
-
Sign up for online UX design courses.
The first step to becoming a UX designer is to develop your skills. And the best way to learn something new is to sign up for online design courses for UX. Choose a course that is comprehensive and covers all important aspects of UX design such as UX design fundamentals, wireframes, UI components, common design patterns, design accessibility, mobile design, UX writing, and UX research. Also, make sure the course offers a certificate of completion that will help you stand out from the crowd when applying for a job. Here are some of the best UX courses we’ve picked: Uxcel, UX Design Institute, CareerFoundry, Interaction Design Foundation, Udemy, and Lynda.
While you’re learning, it’s best to work on some projects and apply what you’ve learned for better memorization. In this way, you will also create a portfolio on the side. In the end, it’s best to land your dream job as a UX designer. Then select all your best work, or take a standard work and showcase it in an easily accessible format, but at the same time try to stand out.
Don’t forget to include a link to your portfolio in your resume, as well as in your email signature. Dribbble and Behans are also great platforms to showcase your portfolio and save you the headache of creating a portfolio from scratch. This is important as it will help you get noticed by potential employers and clients – and of course you can show it to potential employers.
Quick Tips for a UX Designer Portfolio;
- Be short, sweet, and to the point;
- Pick a job you’re proud of (e.g. top 3 or top 5) but also showcase a lot of projects;
- Make sure the visuals are of good quality;
- Add well throughout the description, such as the problem and how you solved it;
- Update your portfolio regularly and make sure it’s accessible to everyone;
- And finally, add a portfolio link to all your social media profiles, including Linkedin.
Gaining industry information and networking is important for every job seeker, but especially important for UX designers.
By networking with other designers and industry professionals, you can learn about new design trends, get feedback on your work, and find mentors to help guide your career.
Up to 70% of employees got their current position in the company thanks to networking. So how do you network as a UX designer? There are different ways to do this. One of the most popular ways is to attend events and meetups. This way you can meet other professionals in your field and learn from them. Also, when you actively participate in such activities, people start to get to know you and this will eventually lead to better opportunities.
-
Stay up to date with trends, books and blogs!
In addition to networking, it’s also important to keep abreast of the latest industry trends as things change rapidly in the design world.
You can do this by reading design blogs, magazines and books; follow design leaders on social media; and newsletter subscription.
Thus, you will always be aware of the latest trends and changes in the industry and will be able to apply them in your work.
The best books to read as a UX designer:
- The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition Don Norman
- Hooked: How to Create Habit-Forming Products Nir Eyal
- Don’t Make Me Think (revised) Steve Krug
- 100 things every designer should know about people Susan M. Weinshenk
- One-Man Team: Research and Design Guide Leah Buley
- Rocket surgery made easy Steve Krug
- Universal Design Principles William Leadwell
- UX Design Project Guide: For UI designers working or in development. Russ Unger and Caroline Chandler
Top blogs to follow as a UX designer:
- UX planet
- Nielsen Norman Group
- CareerFoundry blog
- Adobe XD Ideas
Top UX Designers to Follow According to Blog for users:
- Luke Wroblewski – Chief Product Officer at Google
- Farai Majima – Head of UX at Shopify
- Whitney Hess – CEO of Heart Work
- Graham Fulton – Prototypr.io designer
- Victor Goliash – UX consultant for the best SaaS MVPs
- Arda Aksoy – Founder and Head of Design at 43 Design Studio
- Christy Tillman is Head of Global Design at Slack
- Pablo Stanley is the lead designer and co-founder of Carbon Health.
- Josh Brewer – Creator of 52 Weeks of UX
At this point, you have completed the UX design course, you have a solid portfolio ready, you are communicating and immersing yourself in the world of UX design.. The next step to becoming a successful UX designer is to get an internship at a reputable organization.
This will give you first-hand, hands-on experience and potentially lead to a full-time job offer.
The internship will help you learn about the workflows, thought processes and tools that are used in UX design in real time and allow you to test your skills in the real world.
According to perspectives.ac.uk “Associate UX designer starting salaries are typically between £19,000 and £25,000, depending on your experience and location. Experienced UX designers can earn between £30,000 and £50,000. Senior UX designers and consultants can earn between £40,000 and £65,000 or more.”
Here are some quick tips on how to get an internship as a UX designer:
- Look for jobs on job portals such as Linkedin, IxDA Jobs, UX Jobs Board, Dribbble, Krop, Authentic Jobs UX Board, Coroflot UX Design, Smashing Magazine Job Board, Remotive, AngelList, Glassdoor, LinkedIn jobs, Google Jobs and social media groups.
- Do research about the company. Who the lead designer is, who the company’s clients are, and what cases they’ve worked on will all help you assess whether your portfolio fits with the company. Not only will this help you create a more personalized presentation, but it will increase your chances of getting a job.
Professional advice: The duration of the internship should be at least three months, as you will have enough time to make an impact and prove your character.
Once you have a month left before completing your internship, start looking for a full-time job as a UX designer or, if you are planning to go freelancing, look for potential clients.
Remember that you can start talking to the designers of your dream company or companies to establish yourself as a trustworthy person.
When the time is right, you can propose to them, and since they already know you, your chances of getting a job may increase.
-
Work on becoming a UX leader
Finally, to succeed in your UX design career, you need to stand out by becoming a thought leader in your field. Share your knowledge and experience with colleagues and what you’ve learned from various case studies – be sure to list your failures and successes. Share your work on platforms like Dribbble, Behance or social media sites like Instagram or Linkedin, write guest articles and blog posts on famous sites, and give talks at meetings and events. Plus, you can start or join a close-knit community of UX designers to grow your presence and add value.
Start your career in UX design today!
Becoming a UX designer has never been easier. While there is a learning curve, if you love the idea of making products, apps, and services better for the masses, making them more accessible and delightful, then UX design is for you.
Regardless of the role, there is no perfect formula for success. But the proven formula is to get the right education and training, build a strong portfolio, network with other designers, stay up to date with trends, books and blogs, get an internship, and finally land a job or client list. if you want to go the freelance route. Finally, you can become a thought leader in the world of UX – truly, the sky is the limit!
Like this article? Here are some recommended readings!
