Becoming a self-taught UI/UX designer.
I have always loved the tech space; perhaps the name ‘techy’ appeals to me in some way. After some research and inward thought, I settled on UI/UX design. It was all I needed. Unfortunately, I had no idea where or how to start. Are you like me? Are you at a point where you are looking forward to designing and showcasing your projects but do not know the first step? Getting started in UI/UX design can be quite confusing for self-learners. As a self-taught UI/UX Designer, I will count it a privilege to help you through your design journey. If you are new to UI/UX Design and confused about where to begin, or if you have just begun and it looks like you do not know how to navigate your way and get a hold of what it is all about, this article is for you. There are steps to take to catch a breath in designing, and I call them 'baby Steps’. Yes, you read it right, Baby steps
- Understand what differentiates UI from UX
The first step is knowing all there is to know about UI and UX. These two are mutually exclusive, and it could be tricky to assume they are the same as they are often used interchangeably. UI (User Interface) is about the visual interaction on a device, simply put. A UI designer talks about Icons, typography, color, alignments, hierarchy, images, etc., while UX (User Experience) in its simplest form thinks about how users feel and how easily they can accomplish a task while using their product. I will recommend The Difference between UX and UI Design by CareerFoundry for more understanding.
2. Start with the basics Of UI/UX design
You wouldn’t want to climb a tree from the top, right? Knowing that the experience of a user on a website is the most important part of an excellent design, which means understanding the main principle of UX design, is also important. Learn to comfortably use a pen and paper so that you can always get ideas out of your head. Observe your surroundings and note what you find relaxing and what you find problematic.
3. Develop your design eye.
To improve your skills, you must hone your eye for appealing designs by critically examining the layout of the websites and mobile applications you enjoy using or use frequently. Make it a habit to take a moment to consider the work that went into creating a website or app you love, as well as what it is about them that you find appealing, the next time you come across one. Is it the Color? Typography? Iconography? interactions? Examine the designs and note the components that work and those that don’t. This is a well-known method of developing a design eye, which is to break down designs. By challenging you to evaluate designs based on the fundamental elements of what makes a great design, seeking inspiration from sources outside of your specialized field can also help you develop your design eye. You may see many designs from many niches on a variety of platforms, including Behance, Dribbble, Pinterest, and others.
4. Master Design Tools
Software investment is a necessity if you want to be a successful UI/UX designer and bring your designs to life. Several tools on the market are in high demand across all industries, but I advise trying out a couple to see which ones you like most, such as Figma, Adobe XD, etc.
Figma: This is a tool that allows for collaboration and Prototyping. It is beginner-friendly and has stolen the hearts of many design experts because of its usefulness.
Adobe XD: Adobe XD is found useful among designers for its useful functionalities. It is well known for its prototyping strength, and it is also free.
Sketch is a leading tool for Mac users, and it is quite great for collaboration, prototypes, and handoffs.
Invision is quite great for prototyping and collaboration, and it has great freehand tools that are good for wireframing.
I noticed that I was drawn to Figma and was much more comfortable with it than others. Besides, you don’t have to be like me. There is no one perfect tool for UI/UX designers. You are free to select the software that appeals to you as being the most logical and user-friendly.
5. Collect reading resources
Though numerous resources are available on the Internet, finding the right ones for you could be a task. There are inspirational resources such as Dribbble, Behance, Pinterest, Material Up, etc. Learning such as Practical Typography, Skillshare, and Hackdesign, and books such as Design of everyday things by Donald A. Norman, About Face 3 by Alan Cooper, The Law of Simplicity by John Maeda, Refactoring UI by Adam Wathan and Steve Schoger, Do Good Design By David B. Berman, and Designing for Interaction by Dan Saffer are all great and highly recommended. Be intentional about what resources you read, as some might lack insight.
6. Seek Learning Experiences
It is time to start designing on your own. With the knowledge you have garnered from various resources and inspirations, you will not want to be stuck with the theoretical aspect of designing alone. Moving on to the practical part of designing helps build your experience and skill set. Tutorials can get boring over time. You can learn by redesigning existing apps on Mobbin or by subscribing to DailyUI.co to get daily emails on design challenges. Make sure you have something to work on, as this will keep you on track, sharpen your design thinking, and ensure you never get bored. Having said all of these, ensure you share your work on Behance, Dribbble, and on your social media platforms so that your work can be visible outside.
7. Seek Feedback to improve your work
Putting your work out there is a way to seek feedback, and to be honest, it could be daunting, but not to worry; it is a step to help you grow, improve your work, and create an avenue of trust. Critique helps you identify some defects that you wouldn’t have noticed and gives you room to make amends. Identify critiques, leverage constructive ones, and iterate your designs based on the feedback you have received.
8. Be involved in a community and Find a mentor
Being a self-taught UI/UX designer does not mean you should learn everything in isolation. Find one or two people with whom you can learn and work on projects together. It will help you to be accountable, as motivation could be low at a certain point. A Greater part of what I know about design today comes from collaborations. Join communities of accountability and progress, and find a mentor who you can always meet for guidance and insight. Follow great designers on social media and learn from the people whose work you find excellent. If mentors are not always accessible, you can find a couple of 1:1 mentors on Adplist.
UI/UX Designers are continuous learners who are driven by curiosity and inquisitiveness to delight their users. Stay updated and keep building your skills. There are more than 100 ways to solve a problem, so your idea is valid, and I am very much looking forward to seeing your idea bring you out to that global space you dream of.