3 answers
Stephanie
Student
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
1764 views
How do I become a UX designer with no degree?
I don't want to pursue university but I still want to try for this job. What is the best way I could try to enter the UX design field. Something that doesn't have a university degree.
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3 answers
Oku-Abasi A.
UX Designer
1
Answer
Oslo, Norway
Updated
Oku-Abasi’s Answer
Hello Stephanie,
You need to focus on building skills, creating a portfolio, and networking.
You have to learn the core skills which are UX Fundamentals like user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing and information architecture. There are free and affordable resources from Coursera/Google UX Design Certificate, Interaction Design Foundation. Platforms like YouTube (AJ&Smart, NN/g) or UX Design Institute offer free intro courses.
You also have to be proficient with design tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD. There are free tutorials on Figma’s YouTube channel or Udemy.
Building a portfolio comes next, try to create at least 3 projects showcasing your process (problem, research, wireframes, prototypes, testing). You can use free case study templates from Dribbble or Medium. Then, host your portfolio on Behance, Framer, Squarespace or other free options.
Try to gain experience through internships, freelancing or volunteering. Ensure you’re networking your way up and join UX communities. Join local meetups.
Also share your work on LinkedIn or Dribble for feedback and visibility.
Then you’re on your way to applying for jobs… try to target junior roles and tailor your resume to highlight your skills, not degrees. Prepare yourself for interviews by practicing portfolio walkthroughs and possible questions. If you’re consistent, you should be done within 12 months and possibly land a role in the UX field.
Hope this helps
You need to focus on building skills, creating a portfolio, and networking.
You have to learn the core skills which are UX Fundamentals like user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing and information architecture. There are free and affordable resources from Coursera/Google UX Design Certificate, Interaction Design Foundation. Platforms like YouTube (AJ&Smart, NN/g) or UX Design Institute offer free intro courses.
You also have to be proficient with design tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD. There are free tutorials on Figma’s YouTube channel or Udemy.
Building a portfolio comes next, try to create at least 3 projects showcasing your process (problem, research, wireframes, prototypes, testing). You can use free case study templates from Dribbble or Medium. Then, host your portfolio on Behance, Framer, Squarespace or other free options.
Try to gain experience through internships, freelancing or volunteering. Ensure you’re networking your way up and join UX communities. Join local meetups.
Also share your work on LinkedIn or Dribble for feedback and visibility.
Then you’re on your way to applying for jobs… try to target junior roles and tailor your resume to highlight your skills, not degrees. Prepare yourself for interviews by practicing portfolio walkthroughs and possible questions. If you’re consistent, you should be done within 12 months and possibly land a role in the UX field.
Hope this helps
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1058
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Stephanie, you should know that becoming a UX (User Experience) designer without a university degree is not only possible—it’s increasingly common in today’s skills-focused job market. Many successful UX professionals have built thriving careers through self-directed learning, practical experience, and strong portfolios, rather than traditional academic routes. To begin, it’s essential to develop a solid foundation in UX principles such as user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and interaction design. One of the most accessible and highly respected ways to do this is through the Google UX Design Professional Certificate on Coursera - https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-ux-design, which offers a comprehensive, beginner-friendly curriculum with hands-on projects that can be added to your portfolio. Another excellent platform is the Interaction Design Foundation (IDF) - https://www.interaction-design.org/, which provides in-depth UX courses at a low monthly cost and is highly regarded by hiring managers across the industry.
Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals, focus on mastering the key tools used by UX designers. Figma - https://www.figma.com/ is a free, industry-standard tool for interface design and prototyping. Learning Figma’s features—along with exposure to tools like Adobe XD and Sketch—will allow you to build and showcase professional-quality work. As you build skills, it’s critical to start applying them in real-world contexts. Participate in design challenges from platforms like Daily UI - https://www.dailyui.co/ or UX Challenge -https://www.uxchallenge.co/, and take on redesign projects for apps or websites you’re familiar with. This hands-on practice not only sharpens your abilities but also gives you content for a compelling portfolio, which is often more valuable to employers than a degree.
Stephanie, your portfolio is your most important asset. Create a website to showcase your projects, case studies, and design process—platforms like Wix - https://www.wix.com/, Webflow - https://webflow.com/, or WordPress - https://wordpress.com/ make it easy to build a professional-looking site without coding. You can also publish your work on creative communities like Behance - https://www.behance.net/ or Dribbble - https://dribbble.com/, which are often reviewed by recruiters and design teams.
Networking and community engagement are also key to entering the field. Join UX-focused communities such as Designer Hangout - https://www.designerhangout.co/ (a private Slack group for UX professionals), or participate in discussions on subreddits like https://www.reddit.com/r/userexperience/. These spaces are great for getting feedback on your work, learning from others, and discovering job opportunities. In addition, following UX leaders and joining design groups on https://www.linkedin.com/ can help you stay updated on industry trends and build relationships that may lead to job referrals.
Lastly, Stephanie, consider gaining experience through freelance projects, internships, or volunteer opportunities. Platforms like https://www.upwork.com/, https://www.toptal.com/, and https://www.fiverr.com/ allow you to find freelance work and begin building client experience. You might also offer to improve the website or user interface for a local business, nonprofit, or community organization—these real-world projects add credibility to your portfolio and demonstrate your initiative.
In summary, Stephanie, while you may not be pursuing a university degree, you can absolutely become a competitive and successful UX designer through focused learning, skill-building, hands-on experience, and community involvement. The field of UX values problem-solving, empathy, and creativity—and with the right approach, you can showcase those strengths and carve out a meaningful career path without a traditional academic background.
Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals, focus on mastering the key tools used by UX designers. Figma - https://www.figma.com/ is a free, industry-standard tool for interface design and prototyping. Learning Figma’s features—along with exposure to tools like Adobe XD and Sketch—will allow you to build and showcase professional-quality work. As you build skills, it’s critical to start applying them in real-world contexts. Participate in design challenges from platforms like Daily UI - https://www.dailyui.co/ or UX Challenge -https://www.uxchallenge.co/, and take on redesign projects for apps or websites you’re familiar with. This hands-on practice not only sharpens your abilities but also gives you content for a compelling portfolio, which is often more valuable to employers than a degree.
Stephanie, your portfolio is your most important asset. Create a website to showcase your projects, case studies, and design process—platforms like Wix - https://www.wix.com/, Webflow - https://webflow.com/, or WordPress - https://wordpress.com/ make it easy to build a professional-looking site without coding. You can also publish your work on creative communities like Behance - https://www.behance.net/ or Dribbble - https://dribbble.com/, which are often reviewed by recruiters and design teams.
Networking and community engagement are also key to entering the field. Join UX-focused communities such as Designer Hangout - https://www.designerhangout.co/ (a private Slack group for UX professionals), or participate in discussions on subreddits like https://www.reddit.com/r/userexperience/. These spaces are great for getting feedback on your work, learning from others, and discovering job opportunities. In addition, following UX leaders and joining design groups on https://www.linkedin.com/ can help you stay updated on industry trends and build relationships that may lead to job referrals.
Lastly, Stephanie, consider gaining experience through freelance projects, internships, or volunteer opportunities. Platforms like https://www.upwork.com/, https://www.toptal.com/, and https://www.fiverr.com/ allow you to find freelance work and begin building client experience. You might also offer to improve the website or user interface for a local business, nonprofit, or community organization—these real-world projects add credibility to your portfolio and demonstrate your initiative.
In summary, Stephanie, while you may not be pursuing a university degree, you can absolutely become a competitive and successful UX designer through focused learning, skill-building, hands-on experience, and community involvement. The field of UX values problem-solving, empathy, and creativity—and with the right approach, you can showcase those strengths and carve out a meaningful career path without a traditional academic background.
Mike Scarpiello - M.S. HCI
User Experience Designer
11
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Stephanie - reading the other responses pretty much map out the three ways to get into UX:
1. A degree
2. Boot Camp
3 Online certificates and self-teaching
I have to tell you thought that you couldn't not be a worse time to get into UX. Here is a message from a UX hiring manager:
"I'm a hiring manager for UX. The market is insanely competitive right now. When I post a role I have over 2000 applications in a day. A DAY. There have been layoffs and shifts away from remote work in FAANG so you are also competing with the best of the best for a job. You can have an amazing portfolio but when the market is this saturated and your competition is veterans and FAANG designers your portfolio can be top notch but it probably won't even get looked at let alone stand out.
I would recommend moving to a tangential field or taking any job you can right now that will pay the bills. You don't have to stop applying or trying for UX but do something else in the meantime too, even if it's retail or waiting tables. We're where we are now because of the massive over saturation of the field before and during Covid. Boot camps sold people on a $10k, 10 week dream and now there's a ton of designers fighting for anything they can get. UX is not an easy field. Especially if you're in an area that's not a huge tech hub and don't have the ability to move to where the jobs are. Be scrappy and worry about your life first and your career second."
I don't want to kill your dream, but this is the new reality.
1. A degree
2. Boot Camp
3 Online certificates and self-teaching
I have to tell you thought that you couldn't not be a worse time to get into UX. Here is a message from a UX hiring manager:
"I'm a hiring manager for UX. The market is insanely competitive right now. When I post a role I have over 2000 applications in a day. A DAY. There have been layoffs and shifts away from remote work in FAANG so you are also competing with the best of the best for a job. You can have an amazing portfolio but when the market is this saturated and your competition is veterans and FAANG designers your portfolio can be top notch but it probably won't even get looked at let alone stand out.
I would recommend moving to a tangential field or taking any job you can right now that will pay the bills. You don't have to stop applying or trying for UX but do something else in the meantime too, even if it's retail or waiting tables. We're where we are now because of the massive over saturation of the field before and during Covid. Boot camps sold people on a $10k, 10 week dream and now there's a ton of designers fighting for anything they can get. UX is not an easy field. Especially if you're in an area that's not a huge tech hub and don't have the ability to move to where the jobs are. Be scrappy and worry about your life first and your career second."
I don't want to kill your dream, but this is the new reality.