Changing professions can be tricky when you need a guide on the right steps.
While the graphic design profession is very stable, it is okay to want a change.
Breaking into UI/UX design is not a walk in the park, especially from graphics design.
Thus, this article will explain the steps to switch your career from graphic design to UI/UX design.
Mark the Difference
Graphics and UI/UX design have much in common, yet they are very different.
Graphic designers also use vector graphics and illustrations to communicate a message in a way viewers can understand.
You blend typography and pictures to offer a complete package to users.
It aims to create a website or product that an end-user interacts with.
UI/UX designers create prototypes to improve the user experience and the quality of a website or mobile software.
UI/UX starts with wireframes of a project, creating a prototype, and building the website/system design.
For these designers, customer engagement and customer satisfaction are everything.
For example, as a graphic designer, your job is communicating.
Meanwhile, UI/UX design is all about usability.
Graphic designers attract viewers by using taglines and manipulating vectors, graphics, and illustrations.
Going into UX design, you would also need to learn how to use specific tools.
In graphic design, you work with software like Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, and Canva.
You would do the same as a UX designer to give room for adding or removing ideas.
In essence, youre more concerned with developing effective, functional, and dynamic prototypes.
The key difference between graphic and UX design is creating user-focused instead of pixel-focused designs.
Graphic designers focus on pixel perfection in their designs.
Each text must match and fit right, and the colors should conform to the brand’s guidelines.
As a UX designer, you would need to tune down some of your graphic designing instincts.
The primary focus is on the users.
You would study the interface between users and the product to ensure the product answers the user’s needs.
The first stage of research, the identification stage, is where you find the problem through user research.
You should do surveys or ethnographic studies to get accurate data.
All this research comes into play when defining your approach.
You would also test your designs with users to ensure that your solution to the problem works well.
However, the design process is still ongoing.
So, you will keep testing the design with users feedback.
Build Your UX Design Portfolio
You don’t need a degree to become a UX designer.
All you need is a well-built and impressive portfolio to prove your worth.
Your portfolio can include different projects you have worked on, either individually or collectively.
Another brilliant project idea is developing a fictional brand and designing a user interface.
you’re able to be as creative and detailed as you like with any of these projects.
A suitable alternative would be to work for nonprofit organizations.
Another option is to find internships or join online UX design challenges and competitions.
Trying these options would get you an impressive portfolio in no time.
Doing this will connect you with potential employers and mentors.
That way, you will advance your UX design career and remain relevant in the industry.
Level Up Your UX Portfolio
Its not enough to switch careers successfully.
