How to become a UX/UI Designer?
Looking to start a career as a UX/UI Designer? Choose Domus Academy for your training!
WHAT DOES A UX/UI DESIGNER DO?
Navigating the internet or using an app or a specific platform, everyone expects a pleasant, easy, and intuitive user experience. Having a digital tool for various purposes means possessing a map to quickly orient oneself in the layout to analyze all its potential and make the most of it. Both the visual aspect and usability are therefore crucial elements in creating successful digital products. The professional figure responsible for ensuring these objectives is called the UX/UI Designer.
A UX/UI Designer is indeed an expert who works to enhance users’ experience when they interact with a product or digital services (digital interaction) such as websites or various types of applications. Their role is primarily analytical and situated in the front-end, but their tasks also require a certain familiarity with creativity, problem-solving, and analysis of trends.
Furthermore, this figure reconciles the UX (User Experience) Designer, who focuses on understanding the request and needs of customers-users, aiming to create an experience that is easy, intuitive, and satisfying, with the UI (User Interface) Designer, who concentrates more on the visual aspect of the user interface.
Essentially, the UX Designer conducts research on users and analyzes their behavior, designing the phases of user interaction with the graphics during navigation or the use of the platform or technology in question, trying to make the process as pleasant and seamless as possible. The UI Designer, on the other hand, is specifically responsible for designing the buttons, menus, colors, fonts, and all the visual elements of the page that users will see and interact with. The goal is to make the interface aesthetically pleasing, consistent with the brand, and at the same time functional and intuitive.
UX design shares similarities and often overlaps with Product Design, but they are not the same. Product design encompasses the entire process of creating a product, from initial concept to final implementation, including considerations of aesthetics, functionality, and manufacturing. It is broader in scope, encompassing physical and digital products, hardware, and user interfaces. On the other hand, UX (user experience) design focuses specifically on optimizing the usability and overall experience of the product for the end user. UX designers focus on user research, interaction design, and ensuring that the product is intuitive and satisfying to use. In summary, UX design is a component of product design that focuses specifically on user interaction and satisfaction.
Advice on becoming a UX/UI Designer starts with acquiring specific training with a degree in design, informatics, or related disciplines; some professionals begin their careers with a degree in psychology. After studies, it is crucial to develop practical skills through specialized courses, masters, workshops, or online training programs and demonstrate one’s skills by creating a portfolio showcasing practical projects and work. Practical experience is gained through a long path of internships, freelance projects, or by creating networks and collaborations with other designers.
The main skills of a good UX/UI Designer revolve around in-depth knowledge of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design. Therefore, it is essential to have skills in designing wireframes, creating interactive prototypes, and mock-ups. At the same time, it is good to demonstrate skills in communication, a solid understanding of user psychology, and good abilities in conducting research and interviews and collecting data to assess the real needs of users.
UX/UI Designers often use software and design and prototyping tools based on the specific needs of each project. Among the most popular tools are Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP, InVision, whose knowledge is strongly recommended for anyone who wants to undertake this professional path.
UX/UI Designers can find job opportunities in different sectors and environments, including design and marketing agencies, software development companies, eCommerce, various types of startups, or, on the opposite side, large companies in departments dedicated to user experience and interface design. However, many prefer to work as freelancers or consultants, enjoying greater flexibility in managing the activities of their career.
The Master in Interaction Design at Domus Academy trains the skills necessary to become, among other possible professional outlets, a UX/UI Designer. During the 1-year educational program, students will explore physical and digital prototyping, integrating new evolving technologies to meet user expectations and industry demands. By combining the science of communication and technology, students will be able to design how humans interact with products, systems, or services in a variety of dynamic and innovative applications, developing unique interactive experiences for users.
The 1-year Master in Service Design also provides skills for those who want to embark on the path of a UX/UI Designer. Through a cross-disciplinary approach aimed at the future, students will be able to identify needs unmet by users and develop compelling, environmentally, and socially sustainable service experiences, both physical and digital, with a focus on people, communities, and the places where they live. Working directly with companies and institutions, students will be able to reinvent or transform existing activities and services, imagining new market opportunities.
The semester-long courses in Interaction Design and Service Design allow for deepening the skills necessary for the profession of UX/UI Designer through short programs with high educational value, which include specialized theoretical courses held by industry professionals and experiential workshops, providing access to numerous networking opportunities.