Where to Begin
It’s the big question, and it is, of course, daunting to start out afresh in any field, especially one like UX! It’s ever-changing, with many tools and ways of working to learn and adapt to, all with their own subtle differences. Although everyone’s journey will have different twists and turns, the aim of this article is to clear some of the blockages in your path to UX success and give you ideas on how to start your UX design career.
If you’ve gone ahead and clicked on this article then it’s probably safe to assume you’ve already decided you would like a career in User Experience Design. You’ve left-swiped through the many options, from Graphic Design to UI and decided UX is the best match for you, an instant right-swipe. You’re technical yet creative, user-focused, and willing to test and iterate to ensure the smoothest possible course for the user – it’s a match!
Well done, choosing your career path is already one big hurdle you’ve already leapt over! So, now let’s look at some essential steps to kick off your career in UX design:
1) Read, read and read – soak up that good ol’ knowledge
Reading – it’s an obvious one, simple, yet very effective. Reading work from a variety of authors allows for differing perspectives, and it’s an easy way to get a general, well-rounded view of what UX is all about. Also, it’s practically free! There are many great second-hand options and a lot can be read online. I’ve compiled a list of the absolute holy grails to get you started:
Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, by Steve Krug, (2013)
This book is a classic that many would recommend, but it really is as good as everyone says! Originally released in 2000, this book was revised in 2005 and 2013 and is still relevant today. This book is a great one for fleshing out the fundamental principals of UX.
Smashing UX Design: Foundations for Designing Online User Experiences, by James Chudley and Jesmond Allen (2012)
After Krug, this would be the best next step. This one provides an overview of the different tools and techniques used in UX, which serves as a brilliant reference point. You can leave it in your bag and know that you will keep on picking it up again and again.
The Design of Everyday Things, Don Normon (2013)
Normon’s book is a must-read that can be enjoyed by anyone, from the average consumer to somebody interested in looking into the very depths of how products and systems are made. It takes a deep dive into the psychology of why some designs work and some don’t. It establishes the rules to make sure yours has that winning ticket.
2) Take a course – learn the hard stuff from the experts
Although it would be great to tackle it all on your own, taking a course offers practical and theoretical insights into UX. A course equips you with the essential knowledge, from specific tools and resources to fundamental approaches and methods. You can apply these concepts in a structured setting and receive honest feedback from industry experts. Additionally, you will meet like-minded individuals. This will help grow your network. Discover reasonably priced part-time options such as the UX/UI Design Course at UX Academy in London.
You can apply these concepts in a structured setting and receive valuable feedback from industry experts. Making an early investment in a course will accelerate your progress in the long term. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share a similar journey. You can explore short UX courses on platforms like Udemy or discover reasonably priced options that won’t consume too much of your time, such as the UX/UI Design Course at UX Academy in London – check out this link for more information.
3) Experience, experience, experience
Practice, practice, practice – as they say, it leads to perfection! At the start, it’s important to take as many opportunities as possible and keep practising. While it may be demanding, it can also be fun as you tackle different projects and discover your preferences. It may be necessary to take on low-paid work or the occasional unpaid gig. These experiences will help you expand your portfolio and receive valuable feedback.
At this stage, I encourage you to expand your network. Join one of the many UX communities out there, such as Mobile UX London. You’ll discover networking events, UX conferences, and meet-ups where you can engage with like-minded people. Consider just talking to people in this groups and seeking a mentor. A mentor is someone with extensive experience in the field and can answer your questions and offer advice.
Once you have a portfolio, you will have the confidence to approach the kind of companies and projects you want to work for.
And then the fun really begins…
Whether you want to start a career in UX design, or just diversify your skillset in general, UX Academy has several courses available to suit your needs. Get the chance to work on real life projects and build your UX portfolio when you join UX Academy.