Blog

UX design, explained.

Practical articles from UX Academy instructors — the craft, the tools, the career.

Process & methods

What Is a Wireframe? A Practical Guide for UX Designers

What is a wireframe in UX design, why it matters, how to create one, and where wireframes fit in the UX process. A practical guide, not a textbook definition.

2026-06-25 · 9 min read

Process & methods

What Is a Storyboard in UX Design? A Practical Guide

What UX storyboards are, how to create one, and the mistakes that turn them into a workshop exercise rather than a working design tool.

2026-06-25 · 10 min read

Process & methods

What Is UX Writing? A Complete Guide to Microcopy, Content Design and the UX Writer Role

UX writing explained: what it is, what UX writers produce, how it differs from copywriting, and how to break into the role in the UK.

2026-06-25 · 11 min read

Foundations

UX vs UI Design: What's the Difference and Which Should You Learn?

UX vs UI design explained clearly: how the two disciplines differ in focus, deliverables, tools, salary and career path -- and which to learn first.

2026-06-25 · 10 min read

Career & hiring

UX Design Job Boards UK: Where to Actually Find UX Jobs in 2026

The best job boards for UX designers in the UK — general boards, specialist UX platforms, and community routes that often work better than job boards.

2026-06-25 · 9 min read

Process & methods

What Is Ideation in Design Thinking? Techniques and Process

Ideation in design thinking is where most UX projects go wrong. Learn what it is, how to run a session, and which techniques actually work in practice.

2026-06-25 · 10 min read

Process & methods

How to Create a User Flow in UX Design: A Step-by-Step Guide

What a user flow is, the standard symbols, step-by-step creation, and the mistakes that make most flows misleading rather than useful. A practical UX guide.

2026-06-25 · 10 min read

Process & methods

Design Critique in UX: How to Give and Receive Feedback That Actually Improves the Work

What a design critique is, how to structure one, and how to give feedback that references user goals rather than personal preference. A practical guide.

2026-06-25 · 9 min read

Process & methods

Customer Journey Map Template: How to Create One That Works

The standard components of a customer journey map, a ready-to-use template structure, step-by-step process, and the mistakes that make most maps useless.

2026-06-25 · 11 min read

Career & hiring

Career Change to UX Design at 30: What You Need to Know

Career change to UX design at 30? This guide covers the real advantages of switching later, transferable skills by background, and a realistic timeline.

2026-06-25 · 11 min read

Process & methods

Card Sorting in UX Research: A Complete Guide

Card sorting in UX research explained: open vs closed vs hybrid, when to use it, how to run sessions, analyse results, and avoid common mistakes.

2026-06-25 · 10 min read

Career & hiring

Best UX Design Certifications UK 2026: An Honest Comparison

The best UX design certifications in the UK in 2026 compared: Google, IxDF, Nielsen Norman, UXDI, and live courses. What each delivers and who it suits.

2026-06-25 · 11 min read

Process & methods

Affinity Mapping in UX: How to Turn Research Data Into Insights

Affinity mapping explained: how to run an affinity diagramming session, organise qualitative data into themes, and move from raw findings to actionable design insights.

2026-06-25 · 9 min read

Process & methods

UX Research Methods: A Practical Guide for Designers

UX research methods explained: user interviews, usability testing, card sorting and surveys. Learn when to use each and how they fit a UX design process.

2026-06-18 · 12 min read

Career & hiring

UX Design vs Graphic Design: What's the Difference?

UX design vs graphic design: how the two disciplines differ in skills, tools, day-to-day work, and UK salary. An honest breakdown for career-changers.

2026-06-18 · 11 min read

Tools & craft

UX Design Tools: The Full Stack Explained (2026)

The essential UX design tools for 2026: Figma for design and prototyping, Maze for testing, Miro for workshops. What each one does and when to use it.

2026-06-18 · 10 min read

Process & methods

The UX Design Process: Steps, Methods and How It Works in Practice

The UX design process explained: discovery, research, prototyping, testing and handoff. How real UX teams work in practice, not the textbook version.

2026-06-18 · 11 min read

Career & hiring

UX Portfolio Examples: Real Portfolios Reviewed & Rated

Real UX portfolio examples broken down: what good case studies look like, what hiring managers notice first, and exactly what to copy.

2026-06-18 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

UX Design Jobs in the UK: What the Market Looks Like in 2026

UX design jobs in the UK in 2026: where the roles are, which sectors are hiring, what employers look for, and a realistic job search timeline.

2026-06-18 · 10 min read

Career & hiring

UX Design Interview Questions: What to Expect and How to Prepare

UX design interview questions asked by UK employers: portfolio review, design challenges and behavioural questions, with guidance on how to answer each.

2026-06-18 · 12 min read

Process & methods

User Persona Template: How to Create Personas That Actually Influence Design

A user persona template that influences design decisions: what to include, what to leave out, and the common mistakes that make personas useless.

2026-06-18 · 12 min read

Process & methods

Usability Testing: A Practical Guide for UX Designers

How to plan and run usability testing: recruiting participants, writing test scripts, moderated vs unmoderated, tools, and reporting findings.

2026-06-18 · 12 min read

Career & hiring

UX Portfolio From Scratch: Beginner's Guide (No Experience)

No design experience yet? Learn how to create your first UX case study from zero, find beginner-friendly projects, and build a portfolio that gets interviews.

2026-06-18 · 11 min read

Tools & craft

Figma vs Sketch vs Adobe XD: Which Should You Learn in 2026?

Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD? An honest comparison for UX designers and career-changers deciding which design tool to learn first. Spoiler: the answer is clear.

2026-06-18 · 9 min read

Process & methods

Accessibility in UX Design: What It Means and Why It Matters

Accessibility in UX design explained: WCAG 2.2, the Equality Act 2010, the European Accessibility Act, inclusive design and how to test accessibility.

2026-06-18 · 12 min read

Industry

Will AI Replace UX Designers? A 2026 Reality Check

Will AI replace UX designers? The honest answer in 2026: no, but the role is shifting. Here is what changes, what does not, and what skills to build.

2026-06-13 · 7 min read

Tools & craft

What Is Figma Used For? UX, UI, Prototyping and More

Discover what Figma is used for - from UI design and wireframing to prototyping and developer handoff. A practical guide in plain English.

2026-06-13 · 7 min read

Tools & craft

Vibe Coding for UX Designers: AI Prototyping in 2026

Vibe coding lets UX designers describe ideas in plain English and get working prototypes fast. Here's how to use it well - and where it falls short.

2026-06-13 · 8 min read

Career & hiring

UX Portfolio Review Checklist (Free)

A free UX portfolio checklist to self-review your work before applying for jobs. Check structure, case studies, visuals, and written clarity.

2026-06-13 · 9 min read

Foundations

UX Designer vs Product Designer (vs UI Designer): The Differences

UX designer vs product designer: what each role actually does day-to-day, how they differ from UI design, and which path fits your background and goals.

2026-06-13 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

UX Design Classes Near Me: UK Options for 2026

Looking for UX design classes near me in the UK? Compare in-person, evening, and live-online options to find the right course for 2026.

2026-06-13 · 6 min read

Process & methods

Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics (With Examples)

A clear guide to Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics with real-world examples - the essential framework every UX designer needs to know.

2026-06-13 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

How to Become a UX Designer in the UK (2026 Guide)

How to become a UX designer in the UK: a practical step-by-step roadmap for career-changers, from foundations to your first job offer in 2026.

2026-06-13 · 9 min read

Process & methods

Heuristic Evaluation Template and Checklist (Free)

A practical heuristic evaluation template and checklist covering severity ratings, evaluator setup, and a copy-ready findings sheet. UK English.

2026-06-13 · 8 min read

Process & methods

Heuristic Evaluation Example: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

See a heuristic evaluation example in action: a step-by-step walkthrough of a checkout flow rated against Nielsen's 10 heuristics, with severity scores.

2026-06-13 · 9 min read

Tools & craft

Figma for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

New to design tools? This Figma for beginners guide walks you through the interface, frames, components, auto layout, and prototyping in plain English.

2026-06-13 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

Are UX Bootcamps Worth It in 2026? An Honest Guide

Are UX bootcamps worth it in 2026? An honest look at what bootcamps deliver, who they suit, what to watch out for, and how to choose well in the UK.

2026-06-13 · 10 min read

Tools & craft

Best AI Tools for UX Designers in 2026

A practical guide to AI tools for UX designers in 2026 - from research synthesis to accessibility, with honest advice on what to trust and what to question.

2026-06-13 · 8 min read

Foundations

What Is UX Design? A Complete Guide (2026)

UX design explained from first principles: definition, what UX designers do day-to-day, the UX process, tools, skills, and how to break into the field in the UK.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Tools & craft

What Is Figma? The Design Tool Every UX/UI Designer Uses (And Why)

Figma is the browser-based design tool used by most UX and UI designers. Here's what it does, why it became the industry standard, and how to get started.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Process & methods

What Is a Design Sprint? The Five-Day Process Explained

A design sprint is a five-day framework for solving big problems fast. Learn the phases, when to use one, and what it means for your UX practice.

2026-06-03 · 11 min read

Foundations

What Does a UX Designer Actually Do? A Realistic Day-to-Day Guide

From user research to prototypes and design reviews, here is what UX designers do day to day - and how the role changes by company size and seniority.

2026-06-03 · 10 min read

Process & methods

UX Research in Agile Development: How to Keep Up Without Cutting Corners

Learn how to run effective UX research inside agile sprints - from continuous discovery to dual-track agile - without becoming a bottleneck.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

How to Get a UX Job With No Experience (A Practical Guide)

No UX experience yet? Here's how to build real skills, create a portfolio that gets interviews, and land your first junior UX role in the UK.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

Can You Be a UX Designer If You Are Not Creative?

Think UX design requires artistic talent? It does not. Here is what UX actually rewards and why your non-design background is more relevant than you think.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Career & hiring

UX Designer Salary UK 2026: What You Can Really Earn

Verified UK UX designer salary data by experience band and location - from entry level to senior London roles - with sources named for every figure.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Career & hiring

UX Portfolio Guide: Structure & Strategy to Get Hired (2026)

How to structure your UX portfolio to get interviews in 2026: case study format, what hiring managers look at, and how to present your work strategically.

2026-06-03 · 10 min read

Foundations

UX Design Laws and Principles Every Designer Should Know

Nine research-backed UX design laws explained with practical examples - from Jakob's Law to the Doherty Threshold. Essential reading for UX designers.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Industry

UX Design in Healthcare: High Stakes, Real Impact, and a Growing Career Path

Healthcare UX is one of the most demanding and rewarding specialisms in UX design. Here is what makes it different and how to build a career in health tech.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Industry

UX Design for Startups: How to Get It Right From Day One

Why UX design matters from the first sprint, how to do lean research on a tiny budget, and the most common startup UX mistakes to avoid.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

UX Design Courses in London: What to Look For and Where to Study

A clear guide to UX design courses in London: live online vs in-person, what good courses include, how much they cost, and who UX Academy suits.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Process & methods

What Is Usability in UX Design? A Practical Guide

Usability is the foundation of good UX design. Learn Nielsen's five components, how usability is measured, and practical ways to improve it in your projects.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

How to Switch Careers to UX Design in the UK: A Realistic Guide

Thinking about switching careers to UX design? This honest guide covers transferable skills, training options, timeline, and your first role in the UK.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Foundations

Product Design vs UX Design: What Is the Difference (and Which Should You Aim For)?

Product design vs UX design: clear definitions, how the roles overlap, where they differ in scope and pay, and which path suits your goals.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Career & hiring

Is UX Design a Good Career in 2026? An Honest Answer

Is UX design a good career in 2026? We cover the real upsides, the honest downsides, how AI is changing the role, and who this career actually suits.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Process & methods

What Is Information Architecture in UX Design? A Beginner's Guide

Learn what information architecture is in UX design, why it matters, and how to use card sorting, tree testing, and sitemaps to build better products.

2026-06-03 · 10 min read

Industry

How UX Affects SEO: Why Good Design Is Now a Ranking Factor

Google increasingly rewards good user experience. Learn how Core Web Vitals, mobile design, IA, and accessibility directly improve your search rankings.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Career & hiring

How Long Does It Take to Become a UX Designer?

No single answer exists, but here's an honest look at the main paths, realistic timeframes, and what 'job-ready' actually means in UX design.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Process & methods

What Is Design Thinking in UX? The Five Stages Explained

Design thinking is a human-centred problem-solving framework used in UX. Learn the five stages, how they work in practice, and their limits.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Process & methods

Data-Driven UX Design: How to Use Data Without Losing the Human Element

Learn what data-driven UX design really means, which metrics matter, and how to combine quantitative and qualitative data to make better design decisions.

2026-06-03 · 9 min read

Career & hiring

CareerFoundry Has Closed: What Happened and What Affected Students Can Do Next

CareerFoundry announced it is ceasing operations in early 2026. Here is what happened, what it means for students, and what your options are now.

2026-06-03 · 7 min read

Career & hiring

Can You Become a UX Designer Without a Degree? Yes - Here's How

You don't need a degree to become a UX designer. Find out what employers actually look for and how to build the skills, portfolio, and credibility to get hired.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

Tools & craft

AI in UX Design: What Actually Changes (and What Does Not)

How AI is reshaping UX design in 2026 - as a workflow tool and as a design challenge. What changes, what stays human, and how to adapt.

2026-06-03 · 8 min read

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