The Ultimate Guide to UX / UI Design
Have you ever stumbled through a confusing website, battled clunky app menus, or felt frustrated by technology that just doesn't seem to understand you? We've all been there. But it doesn't have to be that way! Introducing the power of UI/UX design: the art and science of crafting interfaces that delight users and drive results. This guide will cover everything UX / UI design, oriented towards beginners who are considering it as a career. We will cover:
- What is UX design?
- What is UI design?
- How do I become a UX / UI designer?
- What tools should I learn to use?
- Is UX / UI design a good career in 2024, especially with the rise of AI?
- How does UX / UI compare to other tech jobs?
- Jobs similar to UX / UI design
Is UX / UI design a good career in 2024, especially with the rise of AI?
UX/UI design is a rapidly growing field. With the digital world evolving and it being easier to write code than ever, there's a huge demand for skilled designers who can craft impactful, user-friendly designs. It’s also a versatile career path, offering opportunities to work in various industries.
The rise of AI in the design field has raised some questions about the relevance of UI/UX designers. However, while AI can assist in the design process, the creative and empathetic aspects of UI/UX design are still very much in demand. AI tools are seen as assistants that can help streamline certain tasks, but they cannot replace the nuanced understanding of human behavior and experience that a designer brings to the table.
The salary of a UX/UI designer varies widely depending on location, experience, and the specific industry. However, it is generally considered a well-paying profession, often with the flexibility of remote work and creative autonomy.
Of course, as the world is remote, the competition is getting tougher. You’ll be competing against UI/UX design talent from across the globe, not just those that are in your city. It’ll be important to have a stand-out portfolio and excel at the other skills involved in design outside of the designing itself (e.g. customer empathy, communicating with other team members, etc.)
How does UX / UI compare to other tech jobs?
- Salary: UI/UX designers can make good money, but it might not hit the same highs as some tech roles like software architects or senior developers, especially early in your career.
- Job Market: UI/UX is in demand, but junior UI/UX designers can have a hard time breaking into the field because the field depends on more subjective design sense. However, a great portfolio, practical experience, or educational experience that allows for employers to see your qualifications can make a huge difference.
- Creativity and artistic skills: UI/UX design leans heavy on the creative side. if you're into design, color theory, typography, and enjoy making things look good and work well, it's your jam. other tech jobs, like software development or data analysis, might not flex those creative muscles as much.
Other similar jobs worth considering:
Frontend developer
- What they do: Frontend developers work on the part of websites and applications that users interact with directly. They're all about building a seamless, visually appealing user interface using coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They also need to make sure the site or app works well across different browsers and devices.
- Skills needed: Strong coding skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React or Angular. Also, a good eye for design and understanding of user experience.
- Why consider it: If you like both coding and design, and you're into making user-friendly, interactive web pages or apps, this could be a great fit.
- See frontend developer classes here
Technical Product Manager
- What they do: Technical product managers (TPMs) are responsible for the technical aspects of a product. They work on stuff like defining the tech requirements, setting timelines, and working with engineering teams to build and improve products.
- Skills needed: You need a mix of technical know-how (like understanding software development processes) and skills in project management, problem-solving, and communication.
- Why consider it: If you're into tech but also like leading projects and making decisions that shape a product, being a TPM could be super rewarding.
- See TPM classes here
Product Manager
- What they do: Product managers are like the captains of a product team. They set the product strategy, roadmap, and feature definition for a product or product line. They're less focused on the technical side and more on what the product should do, who it's for, and how it'll fit in the market.
- Skills needed: Strong skills in strategic thinking, market research, problem-solving, and communication. You gotta be good at working with different kinds of people and making decisions.
- Why consider it: It's a great role if you love the idea of driving a product's vision and strategy, and enjoy working at the intersection of business, tech, and user experience.
- See PM classes here
Digital Marketing
- What they do: Digital marketing specialists focus on creating, managing, and executing marketing campaigns to promote products or services online. They use various digital channels like social media, email, search engines, and websites to reach and engage with audiences.
- Skills needed: You need to be good at understanding digital platforms, data analysis, content creation, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), SEM (Search Engine Marketing), and social media strategies. Creativity and adaptability are key, as the digital landscape is always changing.
- Why consider it: If you're into marketing but want to focus on the online world, where things move fast and there's always something new to learn, digital marketing can be really exciting. You get to blend creativity and empathy for the user with analytics to reach and engage with audiences in innovative ways.
- See marketing classes here
Fel is a student support representative who guides enrollees to the right program and answers their queries. She's committed to helping students and takes pride in her work. In her free time, she enjoys sightseeing and hanging out with loved ones.
