Knowledge and skills of UX/UI designer
To do his job well, a UX/UI designer needs a whole set of skills. In terms of hard skills, he must:
Who is a UX/UI designer, what they do, and why their work is so important Know the basics of developing interfaces for web services and mobile applications – this is the base on which the rest of the knowledge and competencies need to be strung.
Who is a UX/UI designer, what he does and why his work is so important Know how to work with basic web programs and tools:
Figma – a service for prototyping and testing.
Sketch – a vector graphics and prototyping tool for Mac users.
Adobe XD – interface design software.
Tilda, Readymag and Webflow – tools for rapid website creation.
Adobe After Effects – an editor for rendering website animations.
Know the basics of digital marketing. Without researching your target audience, you can’t create an effective and competitive website or app. Therefore, a UX/UI designer should understand how to create a user profile and how to research competitors’ products.
Have analytical skills. It is not enough to study the target audience and the competitors, it is also important to process and analyze this information correctly. In addition, it is necessary to know the methods of analysis of business tasks: JTBD (Jobs to be done), the persona method and listening to competitive products.
Know the visual design language. The work of a UX/UI designer is not only about the functionality and usability of a product, but also about its aesthetics. The ergonomic design, the color of the site, its beauty – all this creates a mood and influences the client’s decision to buy. This is why it is important for specialists in this sphere to develop their observation and taste as well as expand their knowledge of artistic techniques. Courses in UX/UI design, specialized education and constant practice will help.
Prototyping, CA analysis and other technical skills are really important, but it’s equally important to back them up with developed soft skills. A UX/UI designer needs:
Be empathic. To solve a user’s problem, you need to understand how they feel.
Strive for development and self-improvement. The web design field does not stand still, so it is important for a professional to follow trends and constantly expand their knowledge and skills.
Be diligent and persistent. Designing a website or app is a long job that requires a lot of effort. Therefore, the ability to work long on a task will definitely come in handy for someone who decides to tie their career to UX/UI.
Know how to communicate. Even if the UX and UI are done by the same person, his work is connected with other people in the team: developers, copywriters, project managers. It is important for the designer to learn how to set tasks correctly, discuss changes and suggestions, as well as listen to his colleagues.
Be creative. UX/UI designer is a representative of the creative part of IT. Ability to visualize client’s desires, ability to look for new ways to solve problems and creative approach will help to achieve success in the chosen field and make a career in product design.