Is UX Design Still in Demand?
UX design has become one of the most important roles in the tech industry over the past few years, but many people still don’t know what it is or why UX designers are so valuable to tech companies like Facebook and Apple. Are our UX designers really as necessary as we think they are? In this article, we’ll explore whether or not UX design will continue to remain in demand over the next five years and look at some of the skills that make a good UX designer.
UX design past and present
Last year, McKinsey & Company reported that UX design will be a $100 billion market by 2025. And according to research from Payscale, UX designers earn an average of $93,000 per year — significantly more than what web developers make ($74K), software developers ($83K), and graphic designers ($46K).
So, not only is UX design growing rapidly — it’s also a major player in today’s marketplace. But while many companies claim to offer design-driven innovation or experience as a service, few can truly deliver on their promises. Why? Because UX design isn’t just about making things pretty. It’s about creating user experiences that connect with people at a deep level. It’s about understanding how people think, act, and feel — both online and offline — so you can create better products for them. In short:
UX design is one of those rare career paths where you get to help build products people love using every day, but it’s also one of those careers where you’ll constantly have to prove your worth because demand for UX talent continues to rise every year. If you’re looking for a job that allows you to do meaningful work and pay off student loans, UX design might be right up your alley.
Can you really make a living with UX design?
UX design is one of those careers that seems impossible to break into unless you have experience or insider knowledge. And when job postings boast candidates with 5+ years of experience and portfolios boasting 10+ years of experience, it’s easy to assume UX design is a dying field.
But that’s not true at all! In fact, UX design is a high-demand career with flexible entry points. First roles as UX designers are often for junior positions like usability testers, content strategists, or visual designers. These jobs can be great opportunities for fresh graduates who want to get their foot in the door and learn about UX design from experienced professionals. so here are some points that explain Is UX Design Still in Demand?
What skills do you need to be successful as a UX designer?
If you’re thinking about starting a career as a UX designer, it’s important to understand that design is a skill, not an innate talent. Being an effective and productive designer requires more than just knowing good design principles. It takes real effort to be successful. As you embark on your journey toward becoming a UX designer, make sure you know what skills are most important for success.
Although individual companies will have different requirements, there are five general skills that are considered essential by many hiring managers: research, prototyping, visual design, usability testing, and communication. When seeking employment or looking to advance your career as a UX designer within your current company, it can help to keep these five key areas of expertise in mind as you build out your personal portfolio.
how to learn UX design Online
Remember, your portfolio should include samples that show off all of your UX design skills, but don’t feel pressured to come up with projects using every one of these categories. For example, if you’re great at research but aren’t much into graphic design, then it’s fine to emphasize other UX skills in your sample projects. Here’s a quick rundown of each skill area and some advice on how best to present yourself when showcasing those talents
This list only scratches the surface when it comes to UX design skills — so if any (or all) of these categories feel unfamiliar or intimidating, take some time now to learn more about them! Remember — a little preparation goes a long way when it comes time for job interviews!
Advice for someone who wants to become a UX designer
If you want to become a UX designer, you should start by learning more about what UX design is and how designers contribute to their organization’s overall goals. UX design encompasses many skills and professions (information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, user research) but at its core is problem-solving. The goal of a UX designer is to create an effective interface that allows users to complete tasks without getting distracted or frustrated.
For example, let’s say you wanted to figure out how a company could improve its CRM system so it would be easier for agents to quickly access the data they need while they are on calls with customers. You might spend time observing agents as they work and interviewing them about their biggest challenges with using the current system. Then, based on your findings, you might come up with recommendations like adding additional fields to certain pages or simplifying drop-down menus.
Ultimately, UX design is all about making sure that people can easily accomplish their goals within your product. To learn more about UX design and get started building your portfolio of projects and case studies, check out our guide: How to Become a UX Designer.
Who should become a UX designer?
According to job listings and salaries, UX design appears to be one of today’s hottest career fields. Even so, a recent study revealed that only 31% of small businesses have an active UX designer on staff and a mere 12% said they plan to hire one in 2017. What gives? According to Jeremy Hornik (The State of User Experience), high-performing companies are 1.5x more likely than low-performing ones to have a dedicated user experience team member who reports directly to senior leadership.
So if you’re looking for your next gig or trying to decide what kind of work you want to do long-term, UX design may not be such a bad idea. Especially since designers with UX skills make an average salary of $95,000 per year—nearly $20k more than their counterparts. Plus, there’s always room for growth: 80% of hiring managers say they look for UX skills when hiring new employees. If you can prove yourself as a UX expert, there will always be opportunities to move up and take on higher responsibilities within your organization.
