Getting Started with UI Design

In the modern design industry where the first impression is the last, the demand for good UI designers has been increasing rapidly. According to an estimate, the worldwide market size for UI design is expected to grow at about 15% from 2021 to 2027 making UI design a pretty lucrative field to make a career in, but most of the beginners in this field face issues with getting started in UI design.

In this article, we will cover everything you should know to start with UI design.

Getting Started With UI Design

UI design or User Interface design is the process of creating visual interfaces for a software, application, or website. The goal of UI design is to make it easy for the users to understand the features of the application or website and work with them.

Getting Started With UI Design

To start your journey in UI Design, you should consider the given step-by-step roadmap.

1. The learning mindset

The first step to getting started with UI design is pretty similar to what is the first step to get started with learning anything new. The first step is the have the right mindset which is the learning mindset. Except that a part of UI design is super interesting and a part of it is boring and be ready for both of them.

2. Understanding the basics

The first thing you should start with is to get your basics right, these basics will be the base that you will build your design career upon. The basics of UI design include Accessibility, Consistency, Color Theory, handling user Feedback, and Visual hierarchy. Make sure to have decent knowledge of these topics, other than this you should also understand Typography and Interface Inventory. You can also take inspiration from other designers when starting out, for that go to their various social media and see what work they put in there.

3. UI/UX Design

Once you are done with the basics of UI design, we can move to understanding what UI/UX design actually is, UI and UX are two interdependent terms where UI design or User Interface design refers to the process of creating the visual interfaces for a software application. And UX design or User Experience design refers to the the process of creating the experiences or the interactions that a user has with a product.

The underlying principle of UI design is to design the interface between the actually working of the application or website and the user, meanwhile the underlying principle of UX design is to keep the needs of the user prior and improve the interaction of the user and the product keeping this in mind.

UI/UX design is about designing the entire application or website keeping the user at the center of the design and making sure that our design solves the problems of the user. Make sure to have a clear understanding of UI/UX design.

4. Learn in Public

Everything that you learn, keep on posting it on your socials, specially LinkedIn and Twitter since there is a community of designers active in LinkedIn and Twitter. Also maybe a potential employer looks your designs in these social media channels and you may have a chance of getting hired.

5. Get a course/mentor

If you want to become a UI designer in just a year, a career change bootcamp course could be perfect for you. These programs focus on practical projects and key skills that employers want, making learning easier and faster.

Whether you’re enrolled in a bootcamp course or self-teaching, having a mentor to support and motivate you can elevate your career change experience. A mentor, typically with years of industry experience, has traveled the path you’re embarking on and can provide invaluable guidance for aspiring UI designers. They offer insights into the industry, provide tailored feedback on your work, and offer fresh perspectives on the challenges you encounter.

6. Create Projects

Now that you have known UI design till an intermediate level. Build some projects from scratch, the better way of doing this would be to work for some startups for free. Building projects will help you understand the entire process of UI design and well as have something to showcase in your resume. Make sure that you projects follow Accessibility, Consistency, Color Theory and other crucial fundamentals of UI design.

7. Build a Portfolio

Crafting a compelling UI design portfolio is crucial for showcasing your skills and landing opportunities in the field. Start by selecting your best work, showcasing diverse projects that demonstrate your versatility and problem-solving abilities. Provide insight into your design process by including sketches, wireframes, and prototypes.

Contextualize each project to highlight your approach and achievements. Focus on presenting your work in high resolution with attention to detail. Highlight your technical skills and relevant achievements to showcase your expertise. Keep your portfolio updated with new projects and skills to stay competitive in the ever-evolving field of UI design. A standout portfolio will not only set you apart but also open doors to exciting opportunities in the industry.

8. Look out for internships and experience

Now that we are ready with some projects and have decent knowledge of the field. Start building your resume and applying for companies and startups, you can also register yourself in freelancing websites like Upwork. From here onwards, keep on learning and implementing and you may have a great career ahead of you.

Why UI Design?

• Low barrier to entry: Your educational background is not very important for UI design. Skills matter the most in UI design therefore anyone from any field can build a career in UI design.
• Awesome job prospects and increasing demand: Thousands of websites are being created every year and most of the professional websites require a UI designer to create the design.
• High salaries: average salary of a UI designer is about $70k in the US
• Opportunities: Can be a great launch pad for other tech careers like Product design and Product management.

Skills Required for Becoming a UI Designer

• Wireframing and Prototyping using tools like Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, etc.
• Graphic and visual designing.
• Typography and Color Theory.
• Usability testing.
• Visual design principles & tools.
• Web accessibility best practices.
• Communication & collaboration within the team.
• Empathy for others.
• Time management and punctuality.

Click here to learn more about UI Designer – Skills Required

Conclusion

UI design is a great career for having a greater impact on other’s lives as well as yours, UI design as an industry has been growing since the past decade and still hold so much of untapped potential. With more and more business are coming online, the need of UI designers in only going to increase. According to a survey, the demand for UI designers specifically in India is growing at over 20% per year in recent years.

By learning the basics, using the right tools, and keeping up with trends, you set yourself up for success. Make sure to note the points, like the article for future reference and follow the points discussed in the article to get started in the field of UI design.

Getting Started with UI Design – FAQs

What makes a good UI design?

A design that follows are the principles and best practices of UI design is considered as a good UI design. These principles and best practices are Accessibility, Consistency, following proper color theory, Visual hierarchy, etc.

How do I start UI design for beginners?

To start UI design for beginners, begin by learning fundamental design principles. Familiarize yourself with design software like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD. Practice by recreating UI designs you admire, and seek feedback from others. Build a portfolio showcasing your work, and stay updated on industry trends. Keep experimenting and learning as you go.

How do I teach myself UI design?

Teach yourself UI design by learning design fundamentals, mastering design tools like Sketch or Figma, practicing regularly, seeking feedback, building a portfolio, and staying updated on industry trends.

How is UI Design different than UX Design?

UI design or User Interface design refers to the process of creating the visual interfaces for a software application. Whereas UX design or User Experience design refers to the the process of creating the experiences or the interactions that a user has with a product.

What is the average salary of a UI Designer in India?

According to some online surveys, the average salary of a UI Designer in India is about ₹4.5 LPA

What are the software used by professional UI designers?

The five most important and most commonly used software in UI design are Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects.

What are the three pillars of UI design?

The three pillars of a good UI design are Clarity, Consistency and Accessibility.