The term UI simply means User Interface while UX means User Experience. Both Elements are important to a product and work closely together. Some people use both terms interchangeably but the roles are quite different and refer to different aspects of the product development process.
What User Experience Design (UX)?
This is the human way of designing products. UX Design encompasses any and all interactions between a potential or active customer and a company. So basically, User experience refers to anything that can be experienced by a customer or user on the website, an application, a coffee machine, or a visit to the Grocery shop.
The UX design considers all elements that affect this experience. The UX designer thinks about how the experience makes the user feel and how easy it is for the user to accomplish his tasks.
What is User Interface Design (UI)?
Though this is older than UX design, it has had a lot of misinterpretations. User Interface (UI) design is strictly a digital term. It is the point of interaction between the user and the product. UI design puts into consideration the look, feel, and interactivity of the product. UI design has to do with making sure that the user interface of a product is as intuitive as possible and this would involve considering every element the user would encounter.
According to Udacity, these are 6 ways you can become a UI/UX Designer.
Read Up
There are books on UI/UX design. Such books include The Design of Everyday Things for Don norman, Smashing UX Design and Don’t make me Think by Steve Krug. Besides books, there is so much information on the internet on UI/UX designer blogs, podcasts and articles. The more you read, the more prepared you would be.
Find a Mentor
Getting yourself a Mentor is one of the greatest assets in becoming a UI/UX designer. You need to have someone you can go to with questions, someone who is an expert in the field with a lot of experience. To find such a person, you would need to belong to certain tech communities, attend conferences or search out for them on social media.
Take a Class/Training
A mentor can’t teach you everything. You need to get to know certain things yourself. Learn by doing it. Take Up a good UI/UX design Course. It would prepare you for the most important UI/UX design concepts, tools, and resources and allow you to practice the skill while using them. It is important to know that you must not know how to code before becoming a U/UX designer.
Get your hands dirty
After you have gotten theoretical classroom lessons physically or Virtually, you need real work experience in order to find a job or land gigs. Accept one-off, contract, and short gigs as this would help you gain practical work experience and help you build your profile and portfolio. You can also look for someone who has a website that seriously has a need for a UI/UX revamp but can’t pay but can afford pro-bono help.
Land a Job
Once you have applied all the above-mentioned steps, you would have prepared yourself to get a job as a UI/UX designer. It means you are ready to use your skills to help a business. You need to know that the best UI/UX jobs are obtained, not through job boards but through recommendations.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply for openings but always take any job you are given seriously as your work would speak for you and get you more opportunities. Always have your portfolio ready and be quick to share it with potential employers and recruiters.
Never stop Learning
Do not ever feel you have made it. Be willing to learn new concepts and push yourself to use the latest tools. Stay abreast with the changing preferences and the desires of the users. Utilize every opportunity to have to coach, train and mentor others.
If you are a freelance UI/UX designer, you may need to check out some projects on Bixex. Business owners on Bixex publish gigs from time to time that would require a UI/UX designer. The Bixex App is available on Google Play Store and App Store.
Read Also: 4 Common Challenges Copywriters Face.