How To Become a UI/UX Designer? A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide in 2024

A UI/UX Designer’s job involves creating visually appealing interfaces for digital products. These products include mobile apps, software, and websites. They aim to create seamless user-oriented experiences bridging the gap between user wants and corporate products.

Similarly, streamlining and optimising digital presence is essential for businesses to thrive. This new demand is directly proportional to the demand for skilled and seasoned UI/UX Designers. The demand has surged in the past few years so much that the market size of the UI/UX Design industry is expected to reach USD 20,058 million by 2028. 

Read on to get all your answers to the question: How to become UI/UX Designer?

What Do We Understand by Design?

User-friendly interfaces are vital for digital products intended for the general public. The visual appeal and user experience of an app or website, referred to as user interface design, are critical. When creating digital iconography, it is essential to consider how they will be shown on a website and the links between them. Typography, colours, pictures, buttons, and menus are all examples of interface design elements.

These design choices collaboratively ensure that users can easily identify clickable, touchable, or swipeable elements and understand which buttons hold the most significance within a series. A career as a UI Designer is highly lucrative. Keep reading to learn more about how to become a UI Designer.

What Do We Understand by UX Design?

UX design is also known as user experience design. It is the approach design teams take to create products aligned with a company’s brand promise while delivering meaningful user experiences for customers.

To deliver a positive user experience, usability and product design must be carefully considered. UI/UX Designers have various responsibilities, including conducting research and gaining insights into user needs.

What Are the Responsibilities of UX Designers?

A UX Designer is responsible for all aspects of a product’s development, from design and usability to functionality. Their work revolves around the users’ complete interaction with the product. It involves identifying new opportunities for both the product and the company.

Given their broad reach, it’s no wonder that UX Designers work on several projects for various firms. User research, information architecture (IA), persona building, wireframing,  high-fidelity design, prototyping, and user testing are all responsibilities of a UX Designer.

Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself.

Growing Demand for UI/UX Designers

The demand for skilled UI/UX Designers has grown rapidly in recent years with the evolving digital landscape and the emphasis on creating exceptional user experiences. This surge in demand has led to a significant increase in the market size of the UI/UX design industry. The cloud-based UX market alone is expected to reach 16.68% CAGR between 2021-2028.

Essential Skills for Becoming a UX Designer

If you are wondering how to become a UX Designer, you must be proficient in the below-mentioned skills:

1. Proficiency in UX research

Researchers and analysts working on user experience projects should be capable of gathering and analysing qualitative and quantitative data about their subjects. This involves conducting user interviews (both open-ended and structured), observing users in real-world or controlled testing environments, distributing surveys, and organising focus groups.

2. Wireframing and prototyping abilities

Wireframing involves creating visual representations of website page layouts. For a good user experience, a well-planned user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design decisions, including determining which features should be displayed, hidden and how they should be visually presented. You must be able to diagram UI elements like menus, CTA buttons, and images. Once wireframes are approved, mockups or early product versions are created to test concepts or processes.

 3. UX writing 

Writing for user experience (UX) requires a specialised skill set. Microcopy, referring to the words users read or hear when using a digital product, plays a vital role in website navigation and overall experience. Strong UX writing abilities are essential to achieve this objective.

4. Interaction design expertise

Several factors impact how users interact with a product, such as aesthetics, motion, sound, and physical space. It is essential to pay attention to user flow, information accessibility, and screen layout.

5. Visual communication 

Visual design goes beyond the appearance and feel of a website in enhancing user experience. Think of universally recognised user interface elements like the playback button or the hamburger menu. Icons need to be visually identifiable as clickable so that users understand their meaning.

What Are the Responsibilities of UI Designers?

UI designers specialise in crafting visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces for digital media aligned with human-centric design principles, similar to UX designers. The primary responsibility of a UI designer is to create aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-navigate interfaces. A well-designed user interface can significantly influence customers’ brand perception.

Essential Skills for Becoming a UI Designer

It is essential to possess the following skills and attributes ​​to become a UI Designer:

1. Creativity and innovation 

UI designers should have a strong sense of creativity and be able to come up with innovative designs pushing the boundaries of aesthetics while addressing user needs.

2. Eye to detail 

The best UI designers pay meticulous attention to even the most minor details, ensuring a polished and refined user interface.

3. Communication

UI designers often collaborate with teams to deliver the final product. Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills are crucial for conveying design concepts to clients, developers, and other team members.

4. Empathy 

A user-centric approach is at the core of UI design. UI designers should empathise with users. This would help them create visually appealing interfaces that are user-friendly and intuitive.

5. Know-how of design and prototyping tools 

UI designers must have hands-on experience with design and prototyping tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Figma, Adobe XD, Adobe Photoshop, Proto.io, Sketch, and InVision Studio.

6. Understanding of Design Principles 

A solid understanding of design principles is essential for UI and UX designers. Following established design concepts simplifies creating websites, software, or products. Additionally, knowledge of colour theory and other relevant concepts is beneficial.

Join upGrad’s UI/UX Design Bootcamp to master the skills and learn UI/UX designing in detail.

UX vs UI Designers

Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition.

How To Become a UX Researcher/Designer?

The steps below will make your job easier if you have been thinking about how to become a UX Designer without experience.

1. Gain a strong understanding of UX design concepts

Start by self-learning the fundamental concepts of user experience (UX) design. Understand the importance of addressing user needs, desires, and psychological aspects to create enjoyable digital experiences.

2. Develop an eye for aesthetics

Study and analyse website designs and mobile apps you find visually appealing. Evaluate the colour schemes, design interactivity, fonts, visual hierarchy, spacing, and other elements to enhance your design skills and develop a keen eye for aesthetics.

3. Acquire UI/UX design software

Purchase a UI/UX design software to put your knowledge into practice. Explore industry-leading tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD and select the one that suits your needs best.

4. Build a portfolio

Start creating your digital designs and build a portfolio. Use free UI kits to kickstart your designs and include the design process behind each project in your portfolio.

5. Seek feedback

Embrace feedback, both positive and negative, as a valuable learning tool. Seek feedback from peers, professionals, and online design communities like Dribbble to improve your design skills and learn new techniques.

6. Gain practical experience

Apply for entry-level UI/UX design job roles and use your portfolio to demonstrate your skills and design process. The job search process helps develop critical soft skills like communication and explaining the reason behind your design choices, which are highly valued by hiring managers.

7. Keep yourself up-to-date

As a UI/UX Designer, staying updated with the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, and design methodologies is crucial. Follow influential design blogs, subscribe to design newsletters, and engage with design communities to stay informed about the evolving landscape. Continuously learning and adapting to new trends will help you stay relevant and deliver cutting-edge designs.

8. Create a combined resume & professional portfolio and apply for jobs

Compile your best design work, including projects from your portfolio, and create a well-designed resume highlighting your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Tailor your resume and portfolio to showcase your UI/UX design expertise specifically. 

Ensure that your portfolio showcases a variety of projects demonstrating your ability to solve design problems effectively. Apply for UI/UX design positions, leveraging online job boards, professional networking platforms, and industry connections.

9. Build professional relationships

Networking is essential for career growth and opening doors to new opportunities. Attend industry events, conferences, and design meetups to connect with professionals in the field. 

Engage in conversations, share your work, and seek mentorship from experienced designers. Building a robust professional network can lead to job referrals, freelance opportunities, and collaborations. Actively engage with online design communities, participate in discussions, and seek feedback to establish your presence in the design community.

UI/UX Designer Salary

In India, the average salary of a UI UX Designer per annum is Rs. 4.8 lakhs. This is the average salary for beginners and eventually increases with industry experience. The salary can go up to Rs. 13 lakhs annually in India, depending on your skills and expertise. 

Conclusion

With the evolving digital landscape and increased dependence on websites for every aspect of life, seamless user experience has taken centre stage. Making a UI/UX design career begins with choosing the right course to drive your career in the right direction. 

upGrad’s Full Stack Software Development Bootcamp is a boon for aspiring UI/UX Designers. Their best-in-class curriculum designed by industry experts ensures you get the best learning benefits. Enrol today to secure a bright future as a UI/UX Designer.