From graphic designer to UX/UI designer — 8 tips
With the rise in tech, UX/UI Design is in high demand. Many graphic designers are willing to make the switch to UX design roles.
According to Glassdoor:
-User Interface Designer Average Base Payment is: $84,783/yr
-Graphic Designer Average Base Payment is: $49,174/yr
Do you remember, not so long ago, if you were a designer, that meant you could do it all, now it’s just not that easy.
1. Understand the Similarities
A graphic designer develops the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.
A UX designer is concerned with the entire process of acquiring and integrating a product, including aspects of branding, design, usability, and functionality.
2. Graphic Designer vs UX Designer
3. Advantages
Aesthetics — The biggest benefit for graphic designers moving to UX design is that they can make things attractive.
Emotions — Both graphic designers and UX designers try to create an emotional connection to the users
Design skills — A lot of design principles used on graphic design can be used on UX, even the same software.
Problem-solving — Graphic designers and UX designers are equally skilled at creative thinking and solving problems through design.
4. Understanding UX Design
(UXD UED XD) is the process of enhancing user satisfaction with a product by improving the usability, accessibility, and desirability provided in the interaction with a product. You can apply the UX process to design a website, an app, a phone, a car, a keyboard and more.
5. Understand the Process
A UX design process typically follows something similar to a design thinking approach, which consists of five basic phases:
6. Common Mistakes
1 — Usually designers who make the switch tend to pursue pixel perfection in their designs, however, UX Design is primarily focused on users.
2 — Graphic designers tend to back up via visuals, but in UX every element must have a purpose, and that purpose must be backed up with research.
3 — Architecture Matters. It doesn’t matter how pretty it is if people don’t like using the product. We call this Bad User Experience.
7. How to start with a Blank Page
Starting with a Blank page is one of the biggest fears for young designers, here are some tips to help you get past that.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest trends.
- Challenge your self to redesign interfaces, be part of Daily Challenges.
- Build up a rich mental library to draw upon, filled with materials to borrow, to remix and adapt, and to be inspired by.
- Practice, Practice, Practice & Practice again.
8. Enhance Your Skills
Online UX Courses: coursera.org | udemy.com | lynda.com
Learn Prototyping: Prototyping is an integral part of the design process, it helps to generate feedback and show how the product would look and function.
Read UX articles: A good place to access UX articles is Medium.
