What the work is
A UI/UX designer makes digital products easy and clear to use. UX is the logic: which steps a person takes to get something done, where they get lost, what gets in their way. UI is the look: the grid, typography, colours, buttons and element states. The designer studies users, draws prototypes in Figma, tests them with people and hands developers finished mock-ups and a design system.
A typical day
Going through the results of user interviews. Prototyping a new checkout flow and discussing it with the product manager. A short usability test with five participants. Getting mock-ups ready for development: error states, the mobile version, dark mode. Answering the developers’ questions.
How to start
- Learn Figma and the basics of composition, typography and colour.
- Learn the basics of UX: interviews, user flows, prototyping, usability tests, accessibility.
- Build two or three portfolio case studies — the problem, research, solution and testing, not just pretty screens.
- Get feedback from working designers.
Related professions
Graphic designer, frontend developer, content manager, marketer.