When we talk about websites, some may think of popular ones such as Amazon or Wikipedia. They are so easy to access. All you need to do is go to your browser and put in the name of the website you want to go to. And with a click of a button, you’re there.
But what we don’t know is that there are a lot of processes that happen before a website surfaces on the web. And once it becomes available to the public, developers must now make sure that the user will be best catered to. For this, websites have the most coveted minds ー the UX/UI designers.
I know you may be wondering what this means. Well, let me explain to you how they are significant and what role they play in making sure you, as a user, will have the best experience you can have. You might also be interested in Best UI/UX design courses.
- What Does a UX/UI Designer Do?
- 6 Best Qualities of a UX/UI Designer
- UX/UI Designer Related Courses
- Wrap Up
UX Design and Evaluation MicroMaster Program
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- HEC Montreal via edX
- 10 Months (6-9 hours weekly) of effort required
- Course Type: Self-paced
- ★★★★★
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What Does a UX/UI Designer Do?
UX or user experience designers are the ones who make sure you get the optimal experience every time you interact with websites and products. They tailor-make what you will come across on the web so that you will have exactly what you are looking for.
Let’s put it this way. UX designers use psychology, marketing research, and technology among others to create a map of how you usually connect to the different websites you go to.
For example, you searched on the web for the nearest cafe. UX developers will determine how you interact with the products you are looking for and create the best possible outcome for you.
They are the ones who will make sure you get what you want with minimal effort.
Now that we have established what they do, let’s look at some of the qualities a great UX/UI designer has for them to be effective in their job.
Below I will be listing some of the top qualities UX/UI designers possess innately.
6 Best Qualities of a UX/UI Designer
They are Ridiculously Creative
UX/UI designers are not satisfied with just their work being “ok”, but strive to be the best in everything they do.
When they work with their designs, they understand that creativity (with a mix of intelligence) plays a big part since this will make their vision stand out from the others.
And you know what makes them excessively creative? They can draw inspiration from anywhere, and I mean it. What a normal human finds normal, UX designers find a design idea in it. Anywhere they look, they start ideating and process it into a UX/UI design. You can also find out Best Free Web Designing Course and MOOCs.
An awesome UX/UI designer knows that trusting the process is very important and that they are the ones who must execute the process correctly for the intended audience to have an excellent experience individually.
They are Great Visual Communicators
This may be the most important aspect a UX/UI developer has. Their ability to communicate visually with their audience
We all know that customers and users will most likely be interested in something, whether it’s a digital or a physical product when it is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.
But here’s the thing: they learn different tools to make the most of their talents. Design tools like Adobe and Corel are the most revered in the field and the UX/UI designers don’t take these lightly.
They need to learn such courses by enrolling in the CorelDRAW and Adobe expert training courses. They participate in design forums and events when needed to further enhance their skills.
They create a user experience that is well structured and make sure the customers have a good time searching for what they need, making written instructions less important.
They are Empathetic
Empathy is defined as being able to put yourself into someone else’s shoes and realizing what they are going through without passing judgment.
UX/UI designers not only think of their salaries and just do the job because they have to. It’s mainly because they understand the needs of their users.
When you are detached from your users, you will most likely have a failed design, and users will feel like they are not catered to well, creating a terrible environment.
An excellent way of practicing this trait is to do important research into your users’ data through thorough research and methods testing. It may take a while, but for sure it will be worth the research.
They are Natural Analysts
When you want to be great at your job, you must know how to understand and read statistics. These data come from years of research and trial and error before you can come up with the best evidence to be able to support your relationship between the user and the product. And guess what? UX/UI designers are too good at it. You can also checkout google ux design professional certificate.
Strictly speaking, all websites come from a vision. And when you are creating this dream into reality, you must know the data analytics for you to know exactly what it is you need to have an effective website.
UX/UI designers understand numbers, ratios, and percentages as they are an essential way of knowing the data and what kind of impact your website will have on the intended audience. They know how to be familiar with interpreting those data.
They Have Excellent Communication Skills
Ok so let’s imagine you now know how to do research, and you understand analytical data and can empathize with your users. The next skill you must have, and I think is essential to have, is your way of how you communicate your strategies to your investors and your audience.
Speaking confidently and with conviction are traits that may come naturally to others, but some may find this hard. UX/UI designers are great communicators, and they ought to be good at it because they have a lot of client communications to do.
There are techniques you can use like making your presentations more attractive by using visual aids or standing straight to show that you are confident in your presentation and that you know what you are talking about.
Being able to communicate your designs to your investors can make or break you as a UX/UI designer. Conveying your ideas to them effectively can avoid miscommunication and if not done right, can be the thin line between effective user experience or falling into a pit of misunderstanding.
They Are Great Team Players
This goes without saying. UX/UI designers don’t work alone. They work in teams with other UX/UI designers and others who’re involved in the creation of the website, app, and/or product.
UX/UI designers are the masters of collaboration and they are the ones who take an initiative to get the right resources on board. Why? The answer is simple. They love to leverage the fresh perspectives of other designers and brainstorm creative ideas.
To become a successful UX/UI designer, teamwork should be the core of what you do. Effective collaboration and building strong relationships with peers is the way to establishing solid teamwork for design and development.
UX/UI Designer Related Courses
UI/UX Design Specialization
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- California Institute of Arts via Coursera
- 4 Months (5 hours weekly) of effort required
- 88,676+ already enrolled!
- ★★★★★ (6,682 Ratings)
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User Experience Research and Design Specialization
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- University of Michigan via Coursera
- 9 Months (2 hours weekly) of effort required
- 25,692+ already enrolled!
- ★★★★★ (1,853 Ratings)
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Introduction to User Experience Design
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- Georgia Tech via Coursera
- 6 hours of effort required
- 164,901+ already enrolled!
- ★★★★★ (4,029 Ratings)
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Interaction Design Specialization
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- University of California San Diego via Coursera
- 10 Months (3 hours weekly) of effort required
- 48,923+ already enrolled!
- ★★★★☆ (7,423 Ratings)
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Mobile Interaction Design: How to Design Usable Mobile Products and Services
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- HSE University via Coursera
- 118 hours of effort required
- 12,300+ already enrolled!
- ★★★★☆ (19 Ratings)
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Wrap Up
UX/UI designers are people who know exactly what the users need for them to have an awesome time in their online interactions.
Pursuing a career in UX/UI designing can be challenging and I won’t tell you it’s not going to be easy down the road. But when you appreciate the reason why your job is important, it will be easier for you to be the best you can be.