A Beginners Guide to Exploring UX/UI
Embarking on a career in UX/UI design can be both exciting and overwhelming. With the right resources and approach, you can navigate this journey effectively and build a strong foundation for your career. Here's a guide to help you get started.
Finding the Right Certification Courses
When I started my exploration into UX/UI, I enrolled in a certificate course through a local college. However, early in the course, I realized it would be more affordable and schedule-friendly to complete a certificate on Coursera through Google. This flexibility allowed me to work around my daily routine and complete the course much faster than the initial program.
There are many options for courses, including self-guided, instructor-led asynchronous, or live classes. Weigh the pros and cons and find what works for you. At the end of the day, the most important thing is the portfolio and skills you are building.
Resources
There are tons of free resources to deepen your UX/UI knowledge. Some of the most valuable include:
UX Planet: A comprehensive platform with articles, tips, and tutorials on UX design.
Nielsen Norman Group: Renowned for their research and insights into usability and user experience.
UX Reading List on Medium: Curated articles and posts from industry experts.
Figma Community: A hub for sharing designs, plugins, and tips specifically for Figma users.
Creative Mornings: Inspiring talks and resources from creative professionals across various fields.
Growth.Design: Case studies and articles on user psychology and design.
Figma Tips and Tricks: Practical advice and tutorials to enhance your Figma skills.
Smashing Magazine: A rich source of articles on web design, UX, and more.
Further Learning & Next Steps
Join the Community: There is a strong community of designers online. They can be found on the resources mentioned above, as well as LinkedIn, Reddit, and other platforms. Engage with designers whose portfolios you respect or who have roles you are interested in. If there are specific companies you are interested in, see if you have mutual connections with any of their employees or if any of them are alumni of your university.
Master Figma: Being able to use Figma to create wireframes, polished designs, and prototypes is an incredibly valuable skill. While platforms and design software may change, building skills in Figma will transfer to any other platform and strengthen your portfolio.
Portfolio Development: As you work on your portfolio, start thinking about what type of employment you are seeking. Do you want to be a freelancer, securing your own clients and running your own business? Maybe you want to join a large corporation and have a more specialized role. Or, perhaps you want to join an agency or startup, where you may have opportunities to work on multiple specialties and projects.
Embarking on a UX/UI career path requires dedication, continual learning, and engagement with the design community. Utilize the resources available, choose the right educational path for your needs, and actively build and refine your portfolio. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to a successful career in UX/UI design.
