How to become a UX Designer

How to become a UX Designer Not satisfied with how things around you work? Enjoy puzzles? Comic sans not your type? You should become a UX Designer…UX (User Experience) Designers use various forms of user testing and an in-depth knowledge of visual design to create, modify, and improve the overall look and feel of computer interfaces, taking into account both functionality and aesthetics.Their aim is to make each stage of a user’s journey logical and easy to navigate, in order to generate a positive human-computer interaction â€" whether it’s via a computer, TV, mobile phone, or tablet.There are typically three types of UX Designers, all focusing on different aspects of design and covering a range of disciplines. These include Interaction Designers, Information Designers, and Visual Designers.General duties for a UX Designer could include:Discussing requirements with clients and lead designersCarrying out market/user research and testingFinding effective ways to incorporate new features into an interfaceS uggesting possible changes or improvements with the user in mindSupporting and presenting ideas and scenarios with storyboards, wireframes, and user modelling personasUsing design software such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InVision etc.Keeping up-to-date with trends in interaction design and technologyIs it right for me?Aside from a working knowledge of design software and user-centred methodologies, a UX Designer will also need to be able to demonstrate excellent drawing skills and an ability to conceptualise ideas effectively.Because of the user-focussed nature of the role, you’ll additionally need to be intuitive and able to figure out what people want out of a product. This requires skills in researching and usability testing, along with a knowledge of core psychology principles.A UX Designer will also need to have:Project management skillsSelf-motivationAn ability to communicate in written, spoken, and visual formsExcellent team working abilitiesSkills in time mana gement and meeting deadlinesA good attention to detailAn ability to solve problems effectivelyCareer Progression Junior UX DesignerUp to £25,000 UX DesignerUp to £40,000 Senior UX DesignerUp to £45,000What's it really like? Being a UX Designer means I get to use my creative ability in lots of different ways. My favourite part of the job is getting into the user’s mindset, and creating storyboards and scenarios to help figure out what kind of problems or issues someone using the product might face (it’s kind of like making comic books for a living). Then, I’m able to come up with a constructive solution. As with any position, it comes with stress, especially when the software isn’t being cooperative â€" but in this case, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Get qualifiedMany employers will consider a degree in a related field (subject dependent on the specialism) a prerequisite, although certified courses will be of benefit. Precedence is sometimes placed on your exper ience and whether you have a working knowledge of specialist programmes, systems, and coding languages.