If you have a penchant for design and the desire for a challenging and creative career stream, you should consider becoming a UX Designer. With thousands of UX Designer jobs expected to open in the next ten years, UX Design is a promising career stream. Another attractive reason to become a UX Designer is that UX Designers enjoy excellent remuneration. But does it make sense to pursue this career stream without a design qualification or prior work experience? The answer is Yes!
How to become a UX designer with no experience? You can become a UX Designer even with no experience by following 3 simple steps:
- Firstly, learn about UX design through resources like books, courses, and online blogs.
- Next, build your professional network by joining UX groups or forums and find the support and guidance you need. This will also help you gain in-depth and accurate information on various aspects of UX Design.
- Finally, prepare an attractive portfolio, and you will be all set to join the industry.
Finding a job and establishing yourself as a UX designer calls for dedication, hard work, and commitment. You should also work towards building excellent UX design skills once you make up your mind. Let us look at how to do this.
3 Steps To Become A Professional UX Designer Without Any Experience
There is a huge learning curve when you choose to become a UX designer. However, all it takes is a simple three-step plan to navigate your way to success.
Let’s cut right to the chase. Follow these sequence of steps and set yourself up to become an expert in this field of work.
Step 1: Learn About UX Design Through Resources Like UX Books, Courses, and Blogs
You may have come across UX job listings that ask for design qualifications and several years of experience. However, actual UX design skills and talent can make up for lack of experience or certifications.
You have a better chance of becoming a successful UX designer if you are creative and have good problem-solving skills, than just a course certificate. Add your passion and dedication to learn into this mix, and you have a winning formula.
There are several amazing resources to help you learn all about UX Design. Invest your time and efforts into using them and you will reap the benefits. Here are your options.
Interesting Further Reading: Do UI Designers Need To Code? Yes And No – Here’s Why
Learn From UX Design Books
You can find all types of UX design books in local libraries and bookstores. Read as many of them as possible to understand the underlying principles of design and to stay on top of current trends. The more UX design books you go through, the more your understanding of UX Design will improve.
Here are some books that you can buy on Amazon that will help you.
- Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
- The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
- A Practical Guide to Information Architecture by Donna Spencer
- Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell
Take A UX design Course
Beginners can learn a lot about UX Design through a UX course. If you are already familiar with the fundamentals of UX Design, you can move to advanced courses to gain extra knowledge.
The benefits of doing at least one UX course is that it provides a systematic approach to the subject as well as access to essential UX Design tools. Most courses will also include project work. By completing these, you will have more items to add to your portfolio.
If you are already familiar with UX Design, you can expand your knowledge, learn about additional prototyping tools, and enhance existing skills with advanced courses. Visit platforms like Hack Design and Coursera to check out your options.
Follow UX Design Blogs And Websites
Find daily inspiration for UX Design and stay abreast of latest developments in the field through resources on the internet. Be on the lookout for any information that will improve your knowledge of the subject.
Follow blogs by subject experts and subscribe to newsletters and daily emails from leading design websites. Resources like Nielson Norman Group and Inside Intercom will prove to be very useful in this regard.
Step 2: Find Mentors And UX Groups For Guidance And Support
UX communities are excellent avenues to meet experts and peers from the design community. These groups discuss everything related to UX design, from references, books, case studies, important events, and even best practices in the field. So, find such online UX groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, or any other online platforms to connect and stay in touch with UX professionals who can help you in your career.
These forums provide a venue to discuss doubts, ask for solutions, and gain valuable insight about what is happening in the industry. Proactive forum members may even be open to reviewing and critiquing your work. So, make the most of this option to find mentors who can support you and guide you in the right direction.
Building a good network on such groups may even help you land your coveted job. Senior members in the group may float job profiles from time-to-time on these platforms. So, stay alert and with any luck, you may find the perfect opportunity to break into this industry as a UX Designer.
Since most of the activities in UX Design groups and forums are restricted to members, contact the admins of these groups to express your interest and request them to add you.
Related Further Reading: UX and UI Designer Salaries – Stats From Multiple Different Sources
Step 3: Build An Attractive Portfolio
Every serious UX Designer should have a portfolio that demonstrates his/her UX Design skills and abilities. Interviewers use this resource to evaluate a UX Designer’s skills and abilities. Hence you need an attractive portfolio to make it through this screening process.
One of the best ways to showcase your UX Design skills is to build your own online portfolio site. You can begin with this process long before you start looking for jobs.
Building a portfolio by yourself involves a lot of self-initiative. Pursue it with dedication and put together a variety of projects. Your portfolio should ideally contain different types of projects, so it showcases multiple skills and understanding of different design concepts.
If you do not have too many items to include, consider adding older projects with UX-related elements as well. Or reopen existing projects and add new UX-deliverables to them. Then make them into portfolio pieces. Also, keep your portfolio clean and professional to create a good impression.
Once you have at least three solid UX-projects, you should be ready to start applying to jobs.
Concluding Thoughts
If you have made the decision to become a UX designer, don’t let the lack of experience stand in your way. Plot your path to a successful career in UX Design with three straightforward steps:
- Educate yourself on UX design and expand your existing design skills.
- Join UX-communities to gain valuable support and insights about the technology.
- Build a strong and diversified portfolio to showcase your skills and talent.
Be committed and continuously work towards improving your design skills, even if it takes time to get your first big break. With persistence and proper efforts, you can easily become a UX Designer, irrespective of whether this is your first job or a new career path altogether.
