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So! I’m a self-taught UX/UI designer. This career path has allowed me to earn £25k + more than I would if I followed my degree. I’m often posed the questions how did I get into it, how did I land projects & jobs without a degree and how can others get into it...
What is UX/UI Design?
UX refers to user experience - the experience the user had everytime they use a product (feeling/emotions).
UI refers to user interface - the look, feel and responsiveness of a product (functionality/ease of use).
Product = App or website.
UX refers to user experience - the experience the user had everytime they use a product (feeling/emotions).
UI refers to user interface - the look, feel and responsiveness of a product (functionality/ease of use).
Product = App or website.
Jobs within or linked to UX/UI:
UX designer
UI designer
Interaction designer
Motion designer
UX researcher
Information architect
UX engineer
UX designer
UI designer
Interaction designer
Motion designer
UX researcher
Information architect
UX engineer
1. Practice Makes Perfect.
I started teaching myself digital design whilst studying architecture, working for friends and using social media to secure clientele (for free at the beginning), allowing me to build my portfolio and skill set over 3 years.
I started teaching myself digital design whilst studying architecture, working for friends and using social media to secure clientele (for free at the beginning), allowing me to build my portfolio and skill set over 3 years.
2. Research.
I realised I enjoyed digital design much more than my degree so I began looking into potential career paths & earnings. I knew I wanted to leave university with enough of a portfolio and a skill set developed enough to land a full-time position.
I realised I enjoyed digital design much more than my degree so I began looking into potential career paths & earnings. I knew I wanted to leave university with enough of a portfolio and a skill set developed enough to land a full-time position.
3. Design Fundamentals.
I knew I couldn’t just land a job by talking my way into it so I went back to basics: reading books, watching YT tutorials, asking people within the field already & really grasping what was necessary for me to know.
I knew I couldn’t just land a job by talking my way into it so I went back to basics: reading books, watching YT tutorials, asking people within the field already & really grasping what was necessary for me to know.
4. Design Process.
For example, as a graphic designer you can take a more fluid approach to design but with UX/UI there’s a lot more behind delivering great products. I looked into what makes a good product and made sure I nailed this via practice.
For example, as a graphic designer you can take a more fluid approach to design but with UX/UI there’s a lot more behind delivering great products. I looked into what makes a good product and made sure I nailed this via practice.
5. Software.
Once I grasped the process I looked into mastering the tools, my key design & prototyping software are:
Sketch
XD
Figma
Balsamiq
Axure
Zeplin
Once I grasped the process I looked into mastering the tools, my key design & prototyping software are:
Sketch
XD
Figma
Balsamiq
Axure
Zeplin
6. Portfolio.
A good portfolio not only shows your end product but your thought process & tools utilised in the process. To build my portfolio I set my self challenges & worked on easier start-up projects. A good way to nail this is by creating you own project eg. @beautyhiveapp
A good portfolio not only shows your end product but your thought process & tools utilised in the process. To build my portfolio I set my self challenges & worked on easier start-up projects. A good way to nail this is by creating you own project eg. @beautyhiveapp
7. Landing a Role.
Create a LinkedIn profile! I’ve found the best roles on there. Attend all interviews with a laptop ready to show your work. Talk through your thought process and always remember to mention how your design benefits the user.
Create a LinkedIn profile! I’ve found the best roles on there. Attend all interviews with a laptop ready to show your work. Talk through your thought process and always remember to mention how your design benefits the user.
8. Again, Practice.
The learning doesn’t stop at your first few projects or when you land your job. Software is consistently changing and improving with new design trends emerging all the time.
The learning doesn’t stop at your first few projects or when you land your job. Software is consistently changing and improving with new design trends emerging all the time.
9. External Projects.
The average UX/UI role salary is healthy but adding side projects to the mix can boost your earnings massively & help you grow as a designer, if you have the capacity to take them on.
The average UX/UI role salary is healthy but adding side projects to the mix can boost your earnings massively & help you grow as a designer, if you have the capacity to take them on.
10. Finally...
Don’t be afraid! Immerse yourself in the field! Use Medium to read articles about trends, use Behance/Pinterest/Dribbble to get inspired & follow design IG pages. Good luck!
Don’t be afraid! Immerse yourself in the field! Use Medium to read articles about trends, use Behance/Pinterest/Dribbble to get inspired & follow design IG pages. Good luck!
My website portfolio: https://twitter.com/mabin2_/status/1202552776330563585?s=21 https://twitter.com/MABIN2_/status/1202552776330563585
If you have any questions just @ me
