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Where to start and what is helpful to become a UX designer?
I am a HCI master student, and trying to become a designer after graduate. Are there any advice in terms of activities outside of school course or any helpful resources to start with? I think I just need to know where to start.
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7 answers
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
You're in a great spot already! Having a master's in HCI is like the foundation of UX. Now, it's time to turn that into hands-on design skills and real examples of your work.
To get started, focus on three things: tools, portfolio, and practice. Learn popular tools like Figma and get comfortable with wireframing, prototyping, and basic design systems. Then, create 2 to 3 strong case studies. These don't need to be from internships. You can redesign an existing app, solve a real-life problem, or work with a small startup or nonprofit. What's important is showing your thought process, not just nice-looking screens. Employers want to see how you think.
Beyond your courses, join design communities, take on design challenges, or do small freelance projects. Even helping friends with usability testing counts. Check out real UX case studies on sites like Nielsen Norman Group and follow designers who share their process. The big step from being a student to a designer is moving from just learning to actually creating something, even if it's not perfect, and learning from the feedback you get.
To get started, focus on three things: tools, portfolio, and practice. Learn popular tools like Figma and get comfortable with wireframing, prototyping, and basic design systems. Then, create 2 to 3 strong case studies. These don't need to be from internships. You can redesign an existing app, solve a real-life problem, or work with a small startup or nonprofit. What's important is showing your thought process, not just nice-looking screens. Employers want to see how you think.
Beyond your courses, join design communities, take on design challenges, or do small freelance projects. Even helping friends with usability testing counts. Check out real UX case studies on sites like Nielsen Norman Group and follow designers who share their process. The big step from being a student to a designer is moving from just learning to actually creating something, even if it's not perfect, and learning from the feedback you get.
I am really grateful for your response -- thank you!
Benito
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Theory is helpful, but proof is essential.
In HCI, you'll learn about cognitive load, heuristics, and user research methods. However, hiring managers focus on portfolios.
Document everything: Show more than just the final screens. Keep your sketches, affinity diagrams, and failed prototypes.
Explain Your Choices: In case studies, highlight why you made certain decisions. Saying "I chose this layout because user testing showed X" is more convincing than "I thought it looked modern."
Develop a "T-Shaped" Skillset
HCI programs often focus on research. To stand out as a UX Designer, you need to add visual design and technical skills:
Visual Design: Practice UI design, including typography, spacing, and color theory. Be skilled in tools like Figma, which are standard in the industry.
Prototyping: Move beyond static screens. Learn to create high-fidelity interactive prototypes that mimic real app behavior.
In HCI, you'll learn about cognitive load, heuristics, and user research methods. However, hiring managers focus on portfolios.
Document everything: Show more than just the final screens. Keep your sketches, affinity diagrams, and failed prototypes.
Explain Your Choices: In case studies, highlight why you made certain decisions. Saying "I chose this layout because user testing showed X" is more convincing than "I thought it looked modern."
Develop a "T-Shaped" Skillset
HCI programs often focus on research. To stand out as a UX Designer, you need to add visual design and technical skills:
Visual Design: Practice UI design, including typography, spacing, and color theory. Be skilled in tools like Figma, which are standard in the industry.
Prototyping: Move beyond static screens. Learn to create high-fidelity interactive prototypes that mimic real app behavior.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Benito
Updated
Candelaria’s Answer
Hi Benito! Hope you’re doing well 🙂
I saw the other answers you received and totally agree with them! My advice would be more about tools you can use to stay very up to date with Figma and design tools in general, including new features, new workflows, and even new programs.
Let’s talk about some great free options:
- Figma Learn: great for improving both fundamentals and advanced features.
- Oboe can also help you explore new things and clear up doubts quickly.
- If you like learning through videos, try following UI Collective on YouTube.
- If you enjoy 1:1 exchanges, you can find mentors on ADPList.
- Participate in workshops and masterclasses whenever you can (there are so many free ones online, and you can usually find them on LinkedIn, Facebook groups, or by doing a quick search on Google or events pages.)
Good luck with everything
Best,
Candelaria
I saw the other answers you received and totally agree with them! My advice would be more about tools you can use to stay very up to date with Figma and design tools in general, including new features, new workflows, and even new programs.
Let’s talk about some great free options:
- Figma Learn: great for improving both fundamentals and advanced features.
- Oboe can also help you explore new things and clear up doubts quickly.
- If you like learning through videos, try following UI Collective on YouTube.
- If you enjoy 1:1 exchanges, you can find mentors on ADPList.
- Participate in workshops and masterclasses whenever you can (there are so many free ones online, and you can usually find them on LinkedIn, Facebook groups, or by doing a quick search on Google or events pages.)
Good luck with everything
Best,
Candelaria
Updated
Priscilla’s Answer
To build upon the previous 2 responses, when you work on projects and case studies, don't be afraid to show where things didn't go as expected. From my experience, that's one of the big shifts from the academic environment to the professional/working environment. Take a show-don't-tell approach to convey your understanding that the design process isn't linear.
I hope that makes sense. I'm happy to expand further if you have questions.
I hope that makes sense. I'm happy to expand further if you have questions.
Updated
Miriam’s Answer
Hi Benito, and welcome. You have already received a lot of great advice here, especially around building a portfolio, documenting your process, and getting hands-on practice, so I will try to add something complementary.
I’m a product designer with four years of experience at Accenture, and one thing I would strongly recommend is staying on top of how AI is changing the design industry. In addition to learning core tools like Figma, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how AI is being built into the tools designers already use, as well as how new tools are emerging across the design ecosystem.
For example, Figma now includes native AI capabilities that can help speed up parts of the design process, and there are also newer tools such as Relume, and others that are starting to reshape how teams approach ideation, wireframing, content generation, and early prototyping. You do not need to master every new tool, but being aware of what is out there, experimenting with a few of them on your spare time, and understanding where they can genuinely improve your workflow will make you a stronger and more future-ready candidate.
This matters not only because employers are looking for designers who can work efficiently in evolving environments, but also because some of these tools can truly help accelerate repetitive or time-consuming parts of the creative process. The key is to use them thoughtfully, not as a replacement for design thinking, but as support for it.
I would also strongly recommend joining design communities where you can connect with other designers, mentors, and recruiters. These spaces can help you build your network, learn more about the industry through events and conversations, get feedback on your work, and potentially open doors to future opportunities. In my experience, being part of communities like this can make a real difference when you are starting out. I got my current job thanks to the resources and connections I built through an organization called Latinas in Tech. I would strongly encourage you to find something similar.
I’m a product designer with four years of experience at Accenture, and one thing I would strongly recommend is staying on top of how AI is changing the design industry. In addition to learning core tools like Figma, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how AI is being built into the tools designers already use, as well as how new tools are emerging across the design ecosystem.
For example, Figma now includes native AI capabilities that can help speed up parts of the design process, and there are also newer tools such as Relume, and others that are starting to reshape how teams approach ideation, wireframing, content generation, and early prototyping. You do not need to master every new tool, but being aware of what is out there, experimenting with a few of them on your spare time, and understanding where they can genuinely improve your workflow will make you a stronger and more future-ready candidate.
This matters not only because employers are looking for designers who can work efficiently in evolving environments, but also because some of these tools can truly help accelerate repetitive or time-consuming parts of the creative process. The key is to use them thoughtfully, not as a replacement for design thinking, but as support for it.
I would also strongly recommend joining design communities where you can connect with other designers, mentors, and recruiters. These spaces can help you build your network, learn more about the industry through events and conversations, get feedback on your work, and potentially open doors to future opportunities. In my experience, being part of communities like this can make a real difference when you are starting out. I got my current job thanks to the resources and connections I built through an organization called Latinas in Tech. I would strongly encourage you to find something similar.
Updated
Leizl’s Answer
Here are simple tips to help you start as a designer:
Build a small portfolio (projects, case studies, redesign apps/websites).
Join design challenges (Daily UI, hackathons, open design jams).
Volunteer to design for small groups, NGOs, or startups.
Do internships or freelance small gigs.
Join design communities (Discord, Slack, LinkedIn groups).
Make 2–3 simple projects and document your process.
Share your work on a portfolio website or LinkedIn.
Build a small portfolio (projects, case studies, redesign apps/websites).
Join design challenges (Daily UI, hackathons, open design jams).
Volunteer to design for small groups, NGOs, or startups.
Do internships or freelance small gigs.
Join design communities (Discord, Slack, LinkedIn groups).
Make 2–3 simple projects and document your process.
Share your work on a portfolio website or LinkedIn.
Updated
Thalyta’s Answer
Hi Benito,
You’ve already received great advice here on tools, portfolio and practice, so I’ll add something slightly different.
A lot of people focus on building projects, but still feel unsure because they haven’t actually seen how UX decisions are made in real situations.
That’s usually the missing piece. Not more learning, but exposure to how designers think when facing unclear problems, trade offs and constraints.
Even a short session where you go through a real scenario with someone working in UX can give a completely different level of clarity compared to doing everything on your own.
I’ve been exploring ways to make that kind of exposure more accessible, like 1 hour sessions where you work directly with a UX designer on a task and understand how the job actually feels in practice.
If you’re curious, happy to share more about how to get that kind of exposure.
You’ve already received great advice here on tools, portfolio and practice, so I’ll add something slightly different.
A lot of people focus on building projects, but still feel unsure because they haven’t actually seen how UX decisions are made in real situations.
That’s usually the missing piece. Not more learning, but exposure to how designers think when facing unclear problems, trade offs and constraints.
Even a short session where you go through a real scenario with someone working in UX can give a completely different level of clarity compared to doing everything on your own.
I’ve been exploring ways to make that kind of exposure more accessible, like 1 hour sessions where you work directly with a UX designer on a task and understand how the job actually feels in practice.
If you’re curious, happy to share more about how to get that kind of exposure.