You want to improve your UX design skills. What's the best way to start?

The best way to learn the basics of UX/UI design is through an online course. It is one of the most effective methods because you can access top courses with excellent instructors. For example, you can consider the one offered by Google, among many others.

Getting the fundamentals right allows you to employ first-principles thinking which is critical for developing user-centric and exceptional user experiences. Few areas that you should strongly consider learning deeply are - Design Psychology - Visual Design Principles - Color Theory - Design Thinking - Research methods Few book recommendations: - Design of everyday things (Don Norman) - Emotional Design (Don Norman) - Hooked (Nir Eyal)

Understanding the foundational principles of UX design. This includes learning about user research, information architecture, interaction design, usability testing, and other core concepts. Online courses, books, and tutorials are excellent resources for gaining this knowledge.

To kick off your journey in UX: Get a grasp on the overarching role of UX. There's often confusion about how it fits into the life cycle of products or within organizations. Online courses, like those affordable ones on Udemy, provide a solid starting point. Dive into and practice problem and solution validation. Hands-on experience is key to embedding these concepts. In UX, you need to not only understand methodologies but also be adept at teaching them, thereby streamlining team processes. This approach will equip you with fundamental UX skills, create a hypothetical (or real) case for your portfolio, and foster initial capabilities in leading projects, although further experience is always beneficial.

To improve your UX design skills, start by building your portfolio. Showcase a diverse range of personal and professional projects that highlight your design process, challenges, and outcomes. Include descriptions detailing the problem, goal, target audience, methods, tools, and results. Incorporate feedback and testimonials to demonstrate your capabilities effectively. Ensure your portfolio is clear, concise, and regularly updated with fresh work to reflect your evolving skills and expertise.

Create a portfolio showcasing your UX design projects and case studies. Highlight your process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your designs on user experience. A strong portfolio is essential for demonstrating your expertise to potential employers or clients.

To enhance your UXD skills, consistent practice is key. Engage in challenges, hackathons, and workshops to tackle real-world design problems within diverse teams and time constraints. Join communities for collaboration and feedback exchange, and seek mentorship from experienced practitioners for guidance and growth. Embrace opportunities to apply your skills in various contexts, refining your abilities and expanding your expertise along the way.

Practice is crucial for honing UX design skills. Start by working on small projects or redesigning existing interfaces to apply what you've learned. Consider participating in design challenges, such as those found on platforms like Dribbble or Behance, to further develop your skills.

Seeking feedback is crucial for refining your UXD skills. Solicit input from various sources like users, clients, peers, and mentors, welcoming constructive criticism to refine your designs. In turn, provide feedback to others, honing your analytical and communication abilities while gaining deeper empathy for user needs and preferences. This reciprocal process fosters continual growth and improvement in your UX design journey.

Continual learning is vital in UXD, a field that constantly evolves. Stay abreast of the latest trends, tools, and techniques, and explore related disciplines like psychology or technology. Embrace experimentation to challenge assumptions and foster creativity. By continuously expanding your knowledge and skill set, you'll remain adaptable and effective in meeting the evolving needs of users and markets.

Il est important de constamment remettre en question sa pratique et les idées qui guident celle-ci. D'après mon expérience l'apprentissage en UX passe aussi par la découverte de nouveaux domaines et par l'exploration esthétique et culturelle. Avoir une pratique artistique en dehors du design peut permettre d'ouvrir l'esprit sur des approches inattendues. Une compréhension des outils techniques qui s'offrent à notre équipe peut aussi informer nos choix (conna?tre des évolutions CSS par exemple). De la même manière une compréhension en surface de concepts sociologiques de base peut grandement enrichir la phase de recherche et la conception de personas.

In addition to formal learning and skill-building activities, don't underestimate the value of informal learning experiences. Engage in discussions with peers, attend industry events, and participate in online communities to gain insights, exchange ideas, and stay inspired. Remember, growth in UXD often comes from diverse sources and unexpected moments of inspiration.

Get experience, even if you work for free. Figure out how designs impact business outcomes. No skill based expertise will teach you how a design increases profit for a business. That takes experiments and experience.