How to Become a UX Designer

Every time you visit a website or scroll through an app, you benefit from the hard work of UX designers. These innovative professionals are committed to making every digital experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

The importance of this role cannot be overstated. After all, today's users depend on digital solutions for work, shopping, entertainment, and basically every facet of everyday life. UX designers limit our frustration as we navigate these online arenas, helping us take advantage of virtual offerings while making these experiences far more enjoyable. This effort can be deeply rewarding, as we'll explain below. Keep reading to learn how to become a UX designer and why this role matters. 

What Does a UX Designer Do?

User experience (UX) describes how individuals interact with products or services, encompassing everything from product discovery and acquisition to active usage, updates, and beyond. This also explores how individuals feel about these interactions; whether they are perceived as easy or effortless,  or whether considerable pain points arise along the way.

The Nielsen Norman Group defines user experience as a "holistic relationship...between a person and a product, service, or company," adding that this encompasses all relevant "perceptions, emotions, and interactions" felt or expressed by the person in question. Researchers expand on this to highlight three pillars of UX: 

• The user, or "everything concerning the involved person and their inner state."
• The system, encompassing interactive products, services, or interfaces,
• Context of use, or the time, environment, or cultural context in which the system is utilized.

UX design describes the systematic processes that improve user experience, including everything from user research to usability testing. Through these phases, UX designers aim to determine how users feel about products or experiences — and where pain points can be eliminated to improve these perceptions. 

Steps to Become a UX Designer

The path to becoming a UX designer begins with learning core UX principles along with relevant tools and technologies. Pursue personal projects or freelance opportunities to build a well-rounded portfolio and network with other UX professionals to gain a competitive edge. A psychology or design degree can provide a solid foundation, but hands-on experience and a compelling portfolio could be even more influential factors when breaking into this field. 

Step 1: Understand the UX Design Field

The UX design field is far more diverse than many people realize. Designers may specialize in certain types of products or services—or hone in on specific elements of the design process, such as user research. These designers may need to develop curated skill sets that reflect their chosen niche. Knowing which skills to build begins with gaining an in-depth understanding of this field — the trends, research, and specializations that drive UX forward. Areas worth exploring include:

• UI design. As the crucial point of interaction between humans and computers, the user interface (UI) provides intuitive elements that users can see, hear, or control via touch. Through UI design, professionals create shared boundaries (known as interfaces) that users can easily access and navigate. This is not to be confused with the broader field of UX design, which also encompasses overarching experiences — including the reasons for navigating digital environments in the first place.
• Web development. Involving the comprehensive process of creating and maintaining web applications or websites, web development encompasses a range of technical and creative pursuits that make digital experiences feel cohesive. Front-end web development involves the user-facing side (the menus and buttons that users directly utilize), while back-end development emphasizes the invisible, server-side infrastructure that allows websites to actually function.
• Information architecture. Describing the structural design of the data-driven environment, information architecture determines how content is organized and arranged. This forms a logical flow to limit confusion, ensuring that content remains discoverable.
• Information design. Shifting the focus from organization to presentation, information design determines how text and images are arranged to ensure that all ideas are clearly conveyed. This aims to strike a balance between visual appeal and clarity, using balance, contrast, and visual hierarchies to guide the user's attention and increase understanding. 

Step 2: Develop Core UX Design Skills

UX design requires a blend of technical and creative skills, which enable designers to put UX principles into action. These competencies can be developed over time through practice, but many aspiring UX designers gain a strong foundation via formal training. Essentials include:

• User research. Bringing a structured approach to studying and understanding target audiences, user research allows UX designers to make informed decisions based on documented user behaviors or preferences. The Nielsen Norman Group clarifies that user research should prioritize evidence over opinions. Critical user research competencies include survey design, usability testing, and data analysis.
• Empathy. Effective UX designers are empathetic — capable of understanding experiences through the eyes of target users. They intuitively grasp users' motivations and pain points, using these insights to create experiences that feel both intuitive and meaningful.
• Visual and interaction design. As complementary disciplines within UX design, visual and interaction design (IxD) bring a user-centered approach to crafting intuitive and enjoyable experiences. Visual design emphasizes the aesthetic elements of these experiences, prioritizing color schemes, typography, and imagery. IxD emphasizes user flows, navigation, and cues known as microinteractions. These areas call for proficiency with design software, along with user flow mapping and a thorough understanding of usability principles.
• Wireframing and prototyping. Preliminary models allow UX designers to test digital products or experiences before launching finished versions. Wireframing highlights the basic layout and functionality, while prototyping adds visual details to reflect actual user experiences better. 

Step 3: Get a Relevant Education

Well-rounded skill development is best achieved under the guidance of a relevant degree program. This brings a structured approach to gaining UX expertise while also offering valuable networking opportunities and culminating in credentials that enhance UX resumes.

For example, Champlain College Online's Bachelor’s in Web Design & Development is an excellent option, offered completely online to facilitate flexible learning and well-rounded skill development. The curriculum includes a thorough overview of usability and design best practices, along with a practicum that encourages hands-on application via simulated web design and development scenarios. 

Step 4: Build a Strong UX Portfolio

Today's UX designers are not hired based on credentials alone. Clients and employers demand visual proof of designers' aesthetic sensibilities, technical competence, and problem-solving processes. These are best demonstrated via curated UX portfolios, which offer insight not only into designer-specific skill sets, but also into core philosophies or visions that may demonstrate cultural fit. 
The ideal portfolio will include between three and five case studies, highlighting both the completed designs and the research and iterations that prompted these outcomes. This, in turn, helps the client or recruiter assess core thought processes and adaptations.

Step 5: Gain Real-World Experience

Apply college learning to real-world scenarios. Internships offer supervised client and workflow exposure plus networking. Freelancing provides flexible options for addressing skill or portfolio gaps. Volunteering uses UX skills for good causes, and open-source projects emphasize collaboration and continuous improvement.

Step 6: Stay Current With Industry Trends

As the UX industry evolves, new trends and technologies will shape the design process, influencing how users prefer to interact within virtual environments. Professional development and continuous learning ensure that emerging opportunities are well-understood—and intentionally integrated into workflows to keep designs feeling fresh.

Resources such as podcasts and industry journals offer exposure to diverse perspectives, along with timely insights into emerging technologies or shifts in user behavior. Professional associations such as the Interaction Design Association (IxDA) offer a range of classes and workshops and inspire connection through local groups. 

Career Outlook for UX Designers

Data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that professionals within the occupational category "web developers and digital designers" will see a strong job outlook of 7 percent between 2024 and 2034. Experts anticipate that this growth will be fueled, in part, by the continued expansion of e-commerce, but also aided by the "continued use of mobile devices to search the web" and the need to "create websites and interfaces that work on mobile devices with many different screen sizes." 
As this field continues to expand in response to new technologies and evolving user needs, a variety of specialized roles can be expected. Currently, top career paths include:

• UX designer. Responsible for crafting user journeys along with wireframes and prototypes, UX designers shape the overall user experience to determine how products or services function or feel from the user's perspective.
• UI researcher. Analyzing user behavior based on usability testing, UI researchers evaluate visual elements such as layouts and icons, determining how interactions vary according to different aesthetics or configurations.
• UX researcher. Expanding the scope of research and testing to encompass the broad user experience, UX researchers seek insights via surveys, interviews, and usability testing. 

Start Your UX Design Journey with Champlain College Online 

Now that you know how to become a UX designer, it's time to take the next step towards shaping enjoyable user experiences. Find inspiration and support with Champlain College Online (CCO). Through interactive projects and well-rounded instruction, our online Bachelor's degree in Web Design & Development provides a pathway to compelling roles in UX and UI. Learn more today or contact our admissions team to take the next step.