If you’re a creative person that loves to understand how people interact with technology, you should find out how to get a job in UX design. With the rise of mobile applications and digital technology, user experience (UX) design has become increasingly in demand in the labor market, with many new opportunities arising every day.
A UX designer conducts user research and prototypes products such as apps and websites to create compelling and satisfying experiences for users. If you want to know how to get a job in UX design, read on for tips on the UX design skills needed, and find out about some of the highest-paying UX design jobs available.
What Is UX Design?
UX design is the creation of design solutions to enhance the users’ interaction with products such as websites and mobile applications. UX design involves conducting UX research, designing and developing the product prototypes, and conducting user testing to continuously refine and improve the user experience.
The role of the UX designer is to make the product intuitive and easy to navigate. They use a design thinking process to create digital products that fulfill the needs of users. In some cases, UX designers, also known as product designers, are also responsible for the user interface (UI) design, which is concerned with the look and feel of the product.
UX Design Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there will be a 13 percent growth in the demand for UX designers or digital designers between 2020 and 2030. With 224,900 job openings yearly, the growth rate of this profession is faster than the average for all occupations. The increased use of web services and mobile phones is greatly responsible for the growth rate.
What Education Do I Need to Become a UX Design?
In most cases, you can get a job by completing a UX design bootcamp certificate. However, some employers require a bachelor’s degree in a business-related course, graphic design or illustration, information technology, or visual communication for specific UX design positions.
Can I Get a UX Design Job Without a Degree?
Yes. A university degree is not a formal requirement for a career in UX design. Many professionals in this field found success learning at bootcamps or by self-teaching.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job in UX Design
Yes. A coding bootcamp for web design, UX design, or digital marketing can prepare you for some entry-level jobs in UX design. It is advisable to get familiar with the aspects of coding. This will widen the areas of job opportunities open to you and help you understand the general design process. Some UX design bootcamps come with a job guarantee.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Job in UX Design?
you can get a job in three to six months after getting the required skill or education, depending on your skills, portfolio, and level of experience. However, there is no fixed time frame on how long it takes to get a UX design job.
After receiving the necessary education, you need to build a professional portfolio that can showcase your work and previous experience. To get a job in UX design, you will need to demonstrate your understanding of the product design process and your analytical thinking skills.
Common UX Design Education Paths
As an aspiring UX designer, you will need to complete your educational qualifications to land your dream job and meet your career goals. Below are the necessary education paths for your career in the design field.
UX Design Bootcamps
Attending a UX design bootcamp allows opportunity to learn the essential skills within a short period of time. Enrolling in a bootcamp will prepare you for an entry-level position in UX design if you are willing to put in the hard work, dedication, and time.
It is a good option for you if you’re considering an education that is more affordable than a multi-year degree program. Some bootcamps are online while others are in-person, and you can always find one with a flexible schedule if you wish to learn UX design while working full time.
Community College
A college degree will teach you the various theories needed to begin the design process. Community colleges offer two-year Associate Degrees in Computer Science, Graphic Design, and UX Design. This path is usually for those who can afford the cost and are willing to spend the time in school. However, you may lack practical experience after you graduate.
UX Design Degrees
Some companies prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree over those with associate degrees or bootcamp certificates. Presently, many UX designers have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or other related fields. Some senior-level roles require a master’s degree. Some companies will offer a higher annual wage to applicants with a bachelor or master’s degree.
Key UX Design Skills to List on Your Resume
UX designers need a combination of technical skills, workplace ethics, and non-technical skills to execute their daily tasks. While some skills are specific to the UX design role, others are transferable skills. The main skills required for a UX design job include user research, prototyping and wireframing, mockups, critical thinking, and UI design.
Prototyping, Wireframing, and Mockups
UX designers are skilled in creating low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes to showcase their ideas. They create wireframes and prototypes of their product for usability testing with a sample of their target audience. Afterwards, they iterate the design to improve the user experience based on the results of their user research.
Visual and Graphic Design Software
As a UX designer, you will also need to be skilled in visual design software such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and Photoshop to create the design and contents of the product. Most UX designers also require an understanding of typography, layout, and graphic design. Strong visual design skills will help you create a effective designs that customers love.
User Research
As a UX Designer, you must be interested in research. Creating a product that will appeal to customers isn’t based on your personal preference alone, you must carry out research to find out what the target audience wants. Carrying out this research will help you create the best user experience. User research is usually executed with heatmap research, surveys, and other techniques.
Where to Find UX Design Jobs
For every tech company looking to build a product, a UX designer is needed. Sometimes as a UX designer, you might not easily find jobs because you are searching in the wrong place or where opportunities are scarce. This list will show you rich sources to find top UX design jobs.
UX Jobs Board
The UX Jobs Board has listings exclusively for UX opportunities globally. They offer many remote positions and agency jobs, especially via ZipRecruiter. It also has job roles listed from Facebook, Twitter, eBay, Cisco, and Starbucks.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for you to see key opportunities by employer, location, and job requirements. The site provides UX designer job listings, guides, and information on employers’ hiring specifications, salaries, and employers’ ratings.
LinkedIn offers global opportunities in UX design. You’ll find job listings from household names such as Facebook and Apple, as well as startups and midsize companies. What you need to do is to sign up and create a profile, constantly update your skills, and also send emails to potential employers.
How to Prepare for Your UX Design Interview
To successfully complete the UX interview process, you need good interview skills. Potential employers may look beyond your resume and UX portfolio to test your analytical thinking skills and knowledge of design methods. Be confident when giving your response. Below are some top UX design interview questions you’ll likely be asked.
UX Design Interview Questions
- Can you speak to the difference between information design, information architecture, user research, and usability?
- Which UX design tools do you use?
- What is your process for working with other UX designers, UI designers, or product managers?
- On the spectrum of UX researcher to visual designer, where do you see yourself?
The Five Highest-Paying {Field} Jobs
| {Field} Jobs | Average Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| UX Director | $150,624 | 13%* |
| UX Architect | $126,077 | 13%* |
| UX Design Lead | $123,112 | 13%* |
| Senior UX Developer | $111,110 | 13%* |
| UX Visual Designer | $108,941 | 13%* |
*Job outlook figure is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ page on Web Developers and Digital Designers
UX Director
- Salary: $150,624
UX directors manage a team of product designers and developers and oversee the product development from concept to the final product. They are responsible for the success of the product and ensuring the project moves according to the set deadlines.
UX Architect
- Salary: $126,077
User experience architects are UX specialists concerned with the structure and flow of information based on in-depth user and market research. UX architects often work closely with a design team or conduct research themselves. They also work with backend programmers, developers, programmers, and clients to check user testing on completed designs before their official release for use.
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UX Design Lead
- Salary: $123,112
UX design leads create user workflows, prototypes, and wireframes. Their role is to use the usability testing results to design the different iterations of the product and create a captivating experience for users.
Senior UX Developer
- Salary: $111,110
Senior UX developers work with product managers, designers, and engineers to create an intuitive user experience. They use their understanding of how humans operate and think to determine the UX framework.
UX Visual Designer
- Salary: $108,941
UX visual designers use text, colors, and images to complement a design or interaction. They focus on the site’s aesthetic to create the best user interface. UX visual designers are like graphic designers. They use their design skills to create a sense of harmony between all the elements of the product.
UX Design Career Path
If you are looking to land a UX design job, you need to know the responsibility of the different roles at the entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level. Below are the various roles in the career and their duties.
Entry-Level UX Design Jobs
- Product Designer – They design concepts, illustrations, sketches, and drawings of the product. They also conduct user research and stay up-to-date on current trends. If you have limited experience, you can find a UX design internship first to build up your practical skills and get your portfolio ready.
- UX Designer – UX designers develop user experience elements from the initial process to the final product. They communicate with clients and development teams to develop successful designs.
- User Interface (UI) Designer – UI designers apply graphic design concepts to produce attractive visual design elements and support senior designers on intuitive user experience creation.
Mid-Level UX Design Jobs
- Design Manager – They manage product design projects, mentor and direct teams, monitor performance, and ensure cost-effective deliverables.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Manager – They spearhead knowledge application of search engine optimization tools and techniques. SEO managers also develop strategies to put websites on top of search engine results.
- Industrial Designer – Industrial designers develop concepts and designs for physical products to be manufactured.
Senior-Level UX Design Jobs
- Senior UX Manager – They are responsible for supervising UX research, developing strategies for the development of the product, and overseeing its implementation. Senior UX managers report to senior management.
- Senior Product Designer – They oversee the conceptual development of products and services. They also mitigate risks and handle conflict resolution.
- Lead UX Designer – They are responsible for the analysis of market research. They also ensure product design objectives are achieved.
UX Design Certifications
Having a certification in the UX field can also increase your chances of getting a job. Below are some sites where you can find certifications to start your UX design career.
Google UX Design Certification
This is specially created for beginners or those looking to start a career in UX design. You need a qualification to learn from this site and it is mostly taken online.
Designlab UX Academy
This course is ideal for both beginner and experienced UX designers. It is an online course that prepares you to be job-ready, especially if you are switching careers.
CareerFoundry UX Design Academy
This course is another online course with personal tutors for beginners. It is crafted to train you with hands-on experience and get you job-ready. You’ll also be assigned to a mentor.
Tips on How to Get a Job in UX Design
User experience design is a field that you can enter through multiple channels, and there’s no one way to become a UX designer. However, there are specific steps you can take to give yourself a competitive edge.
Learn UX Design
The first step in getting a job in UX design is to learn the necessary skills. It would be an advantage to gain your education through a certificate program or degree. It’s also possible to self-teach through free or low-cost online courses. However, this route does not allow you to learn from mentors or include any job guarantees as some UX design bootcamps do.
Build Your Portfolio
As a UX designer, the most important thing to do is to build a portfolio where you can showcase your work, including any personal projects you’ve developed. This helps your potential employers see exactly what you can do.
Build Connections
You can also build connections and networks with other UX designers so you can be informed of possible job listings. To do this you can join an online design community where people post jobs and information about the role. Strategic networking will help to reduce the stress of the job search.
Prepare for Interviews
Your portfolio isn’t enough. You have to be well prepared when you are called for an interview. Take time before your interview to research the company’s vision and responsibilities listed in the job description. Negotiate well and speak confidently.
Should You Get a Job in UX Design in 2022?
If you have an interest in technology and are passionate about learning new and creative skills, then you should get a job in UX design. With the growing market of product design, you can expect many job opportunities, career growth, and a lucrative salary.
UX Design FAQ
Yes. You don’t need a degree to be a UX designer. However, having one can increase your chances of getting a job or landing a higher-paying position.
Getting your first UX design job can be difficult despite the high demand. With a little extra effort, strategic connections, and attention to your portfolio and interview preparation, you will be able to get your first UX designer role.
Yes. UX designers can work remotely but this is subject to the work policy of your company.
UX design is relatively stress-free. Most times, designers are even allowed to work when they are most productive.
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