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Is UX a dead industry?
I know the market is awful in general right now, and that UX is much more competitive than it was just a few years ago, but is it still feasible to get entry-level work without freelancing? I majored in Computer Science and have completed a UX bootcamp, but still feel ill-prepared and insecure about joining the industry. Would getting a Master's degree help me? Is it worth it?
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9 answers
Updated
Durganand’s Answer
If you're a computer science student interested in UX, use your tech skills to explore roles in UX Engineering or product design, especially in B2B areas. Create a portfolio that showcases your ability to handle complex design projects with coding, instead of just basic UI work. Consider skipping costly master's programs unless they provide direct connections to top companies.
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Yating’s Answer
Look for titles like “UX Engineer,” “Product Designer (with dev skills),” or “Technical UX Designer.” These roles combine design and coding skills, and they’re often less competitive than pure entry-level UX positions.
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Meredith’s Answer
I worked in UX at Deloitte, even though it wasn't my original role. Because I was interested in UX and graphic design, I was able to showcase my skills and become a valuable resource. My background in computer science also proved to be a strong asset in UX. It helps in understanding product development, collaborating with engineers, and knowing how ideas are turned into reality, which is crucial in today's market. Instead of just getting more credentials like a master's degree, I recommend focusing on creating solid proof of your abilities. Develop 2–3 strong case studies, work on a real project with real users or constraints, and clearly explain why your mix of technical and design skills is valuable. By investing your time in building a quality portfolio, gaining practical experience, and effectively positioning yourself, you'll be well-prepared to show why you're the right fit for the job!
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Kim’s Answer
The industry is definitely not dead. Although AI trends can seem intimidating, skilled UX designers are still in demand. I suggest embracing AI tools in design apps. For example, using Figma and its AI tools has made me more efficient and inspired new ideas. Since AI is here to stay, as a UX/UI designer, learn how to integrate it into your work. Embrace AI rather than avoid it.
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Mouray’s Answer
No, the industry is not dead. Within my company there are many people doing UI/UX work and the role I originally applied to was for UI/UX Design
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Andrew’s Answer
Hey Marta
It's tough out there, but UX is far from dead, if anything it's becoming more and move valuable.
AI is here to stay and is having an impact on the field. Those that aren't learning how to leverage it and are pushing back, they are struggling to find their place. But the reason I say it's far from dead is because while AI is impactful in expediting early ideation and brainstorming and even testing, it's still a computer. It thinks in black and white, 1/0s, it's driven by rulesets. UX professionals become even more important to help navigate that grey area. To apply that empathetic thinking to the solutions, that AI just can't do right now.
In many ways, the UX market took a similar path to that of the engineer years back - it was high demand, high pay in big name companies so it became saturated. If you are passionate about it, you can make your way into an organization and make an impact, even in this tough market.
A masters degree is great, but far from required. I'll give you an example, one of the best UX designers I know got his degree in ceramics ... he got into the UX field and grew with experience, but he came into the field with the basic knowledge and approach to solve the human problems that sit with the end users.
I hope this is helpful.
It's tough out there, but UX is far from dead, if anything it's becoming more and move valuable.
AI is here to stay and is having an impact on the field. Those that aren't learning how to leverage it and are pushing back, they are struggling to find their place. But the reason I say it's far from dead is because while AI is impactful in expediting early ideation and brainstorming and even testing, it's still a computer. It thinks in black and white, 1/0s, it's driven by rulesets. UX professionals become even more important to help navigate that grey area. To apply that empathetic thinking to the solutions, that AI just can't do right now.
In many ways, the UX market took a similar path to that of the engineer years back - it was high demand, high pay in big name companies so it became saturated. If you are passionate about it, you can make your way into an organization and make an impact, even in this tough market.
A masters degree is great, but far from required. I'll give you an example, one of the best UX designers I know got his degree in ceramics ... he got into the UX field and grew with experience, but he came into the field with the basic knowledge and approach to solve the human problems that sit with the end users.
I hope this is helpful.
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Liam’s Answer
I would say that skills in UX are very much needed. Right now we are in a strange place and they job will change, not sure how yet. I say it will change, and it will become more important than before.
Right now all websites follow the same link structure and formatting, this makes for easy navigation, but nothing fun to discover. You will know quickly the site you are on because of the structure without even seeing the content.
Right now all AI is a search bar that then has a messenger app format for everything. This is a little redundant and not really creative.
All phones are a screen in some sort of plastic or metal case and a couple of side buttons.
All cars are some potato shaped "not really an SUV" thing or some sort of sedan.
All OSs have either a start menu or a top bar, all mobile platforms have some icons in the center and icons you can touch or swipe.
All machinery has a web based HMI.
All TVs have an icon based menu to browse.
Essentially we have the same set of everything for all of our devices and its made to be simple on purpose, but it all kind of looks not that amazing. The next new tech we get our hands on, we will really need an amazing UX/UI for and it will really need to scream how great it is. Google is great with the search bar in the middle, you put in your request and it will zip you to a list of sites, or its internal tools. This is really efficient, but that is not the design for everything, even though right now it is. Cars have nice touchscreens on them with nice clear console images. This is starting to get to look dated though. Swiping a menu to turn on and off your air conditioner is not really a great design. Another fun one for us older folks is right now the save icon on most productivity applications is a 3.5" floppy disc drive. Most people (not even going to say kids) today don't know what one is! Why is that still the save icon?
These are the kind of things we desperately need you to fix and innovate! Again right now, the design is a little baked in and developers are swimming around the same icons, patterns, menus, and layouts so that is our UX/UI right now. I can't even say what the next real innovation will be or when we will start to see diversity in design again, but that's when it will be your time to shine!
https://uxdesign.cc/the-floppy-disk-save-icon-visual-language-of-an-era-long-gone-93f74efc9f9 - blogpost about UX and the floppy icon
Right now all websites follow the same link structure and formatting, this makes for easy navigation, but nothing fun to discover. You will know quickly the site you are on because of the structure without even seeing the content.
Right now all AI is a search bar that then has a messenger app format for everything. This is a little redundant and not really creative.
All phones are a screen in some sort of plastic or metal case and a couple of side buttons.
All cars are some potato shaped "not really an SUV" thing or some sort of sedan.
All OSs have either a start menu or a top bar, all mobile platforms have some icons in the center and icons you can touch or swipe.
All machinery has a web based HMI.
All TVs have an icon based menu to browse.
Essentially we have the same set of everything for all of our devices and its made to be simple on purpose, but it all kind of looks not that amazing. The next new tech we get our hands on, we will really need an amazing UX/UI for and it will really need to scream how great it is. Google is great with the search bar in the middle, you put in your request and it will zip you to a list of sites, or its internal tools. This is really efficient, but that is not the design for everything, even though right now it is. Cars have nice touchscreens on them with nice clear console images. This is starting to get to look dated though. Swiping a menu to turn on and off your air conditioner is not really a great design. Another fun one for us older folks is right now the save icon on most productivity applications is a 3.5" floppy disc drive. Most people (not even going to say kids) today don't know what one is! Why is that still the save icon?
These are the kind of things we desperately need you to fix and innovate! Again right now, the design is a little baked in and developers are swimming around the same icons, patterns, menus, and layouts so that is our UX/UI right now. I can't even say what the next real innovation will be or when we will start to see diversity in design again, but that's when it will be your time to shine!
Liam recommends the following next steps:
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Frenklin’s Answer
Hi Marta,
UX isn't dead, but I get why it feels that way right now. The entry-level end specifically is rough at the moment, and a lot of that is just timing. There was a big hiring wave a few years back, then a contraction, and the junior roles always get squeezed hardest when companies tighten up. That's a market cycle, not the field dying.
The honest version is: entry-level is harder than it was, but it's not closed. People are still getting hired. It just takes more persistence and a sharper portfolio than it did in 2021.
A few thoughts for your situation specifically.
The CS background is a real advantage, not a side note. A lot of teams want designers who can talk to engineers and actually understand what's feasible. Lean into that. It's the kind of thing that helps you stand out from the wave of bootcamp grads who only have the bootcamp.
On feeling ill-prepared, that's normal and most people coming out of a bootcamp feel it. The thing that closes the gap is fewer, deeper projects rather than a pile of polished-looking screens. One or two case studies that walk through your actual thinking (what the problem was, what you tried, why you made the calls you made) will do more than ten pretty mockups. That's also the thing that separates people in this market.
On the Master's: I'd be cautious about treating it as the fix for the insecurity. A degree mostly helps in specific cases, like if you want to go deep into UX research, or you're targeting somewhere that filters on credentials, or you want the structured time and a network. For getting that first product/design job, most hiring managers care way more about the portfolio than the degree. It's a lot of money and time, so I'd only do it if you have a concrete reason beyond "maybe it'll make me more hireable," because often it won't move that needle as much as you'd hope.
If it were me, before committing to a Master's I'd spend a few months really sharpening the portfolio and applying, and see what kind of response I get. You might find you're closer than you think.
You're not unprepared. You're just early, and the timing is tough. Those are different problems.
UX isn't dead, but I get why it feels that way right now. The entry-level end specifically is rough at the moment, and a lot of that is just timing. There was a big hiring wave a few years back, then a contraction, and the junior roles always get squeezed hardest when companies tighten up. That's a market cycle, not the field dying.
The honest version is: entry-level is harder than it was, but it's not closed. People are still getting hired. It just takes more persistence and a sharper portfolio than it did in 2021.
A few thoughts for your situation specifically.
The CS background is a real advantage, not a side note. A lot of teams want designers who can talk to engineers and actually understand what's feasible. Lean into that. It's the kind of thing that helps you stand out from the wave of bootcamp grads who only have the bootcamp.
On feeling ill-prepared, that's normal and most people coming out of a bootcamp feel it. The thing that closes the gap is fewer, deeper projects rather than a pile of polished-looking screens. One or two case studies that walk through your actual thinking (what the problem was, what you tried, why you made the calls you made) will do more than ten pretty mockups. That's also the thing that separates people in this market.
On the Master's: I'd be cautious about treating it as the fix for the insecurity. A degree mostly helps in specific cases, like if you want to go deep into UX research, or you're targeting somewhere that filters on credentials, or you want the structured time and a network. For getting that first product/design job, most hiring managers care way more about the portfolio than the degree. It's a lot of money and time, so I'd only do it if you have a concrete reason beyond "maybe it'll make me more hireable," because often it won't move that needle as much as you'd hope.
If it were me, before committing to a Master's I'd spend a few months really sharpening the portfolio and applying, and see what kind of response I get. You might find you're closer than you think.
You're not unprepared. You're just early, and the timing is tough. Those are different problems.
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Russel’s Answer
I know it’s tough out there, but I wouldn’t say UX is a dead (or dying) industry. Technology will change, but in whatever form, it always needs people who can empathize with users and understand how to solve their challenges.
But there is a growing challenge to get entry-level work. More companies are looking for people with some experience who can leverage AI to perform more senior tasks. This isn’t the case across the board, so I’d still encourage you to search for jobs because you can still leverage AI to help you level up where you need it. If you don't have enough experience, then the ability to showcase your potential and curiosity can help. Self-initiated work or freelance work are good ways to demonstrate what you’re capable of.
As for a Master’s degree, I don’t have strong opinions, but I feel it’s more helpful if you’re interested in going into academia. Something to consider: Getting a little work experience before getting your Master’s can help you gain more focus and understanding of the field.
Freelancing is a great way to learn, so I’d encourage it regardless of what path you take. Some early-stage startups in tech are also good places to learn and start on the ground floor, if you're able to deal with a bit of chaos.
But there is a growing challenge to get entry-level work. More companies are looking for people with some experience who can leverage AI to perform more senior tasks. This isn’t the case across the board, so I’d still encourage you to search for jobs because you can still leverage AI to help you level up where you need it. If you don't have enough experience, then the ability to showcase your potential and curiosity can help. Self-initiated work or freelance work are good ways to demonstrate what you’re capable of.
As for a Master’s degree, I don’t have strong opinions, but I feel it’s more helpful if you’re interested in going into academia. Something to consider: Getting a little work experience before getting your Master’s can help you gain more focus and understanding of the field.
Freelancing is a great way to learn, so I’d encourage it regardless of what path you take. Some early-stage startups in tech are also good places to learn and start on the ground floor, if you're able to deal with a bit of chaos.