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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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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.
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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.