Overview
I have had a few people ask me recently, what is User Experience (UX) design? Well it is a dynamic and in-demand field that plays a pivotal role in creating user-friendly and intuitive digital products, I like to think of it as the intersection between design and psychology.
I have also had a few people approach me on how to become a UX designer so I thought I would put all the resources I can think of in one place. I will keep adding to it because this is a massive brain dump at the moment and I have probably forgotten things.
I don’t know how much experience you have, but here I will show you some of the resources I have used and continue to use. I will recommend some books I have read.
Remember, continuous learning and keeping up to date is important as you progress but learning the basics is where to begin. UX design is a field that requires constant learning and adaptability. Embrace challenges, seek feedback, ask questions and be open to new approaches, don’t be afraid to be terrible at it to start with.
Learn the basics
Begin by gaining a solid understanding of what UX design entails. Read books, articles, and watch videos to get a grasp of the fundamental concepts, methodologies, and principles.
Understanding user psychology is vital for designing interfaces that resonate with your target audience. Explore cognitive psychology, behavioural economics, and human-computer interaction for starting points (this includes for UX Writing).
Familiarise yourself with the UX design process, which typically includes stages like research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and iteration ( see more on this below).
Invest in learning essential tools like Figma, and Adobe XD, or similar design software. Learn how to create wireframes, prototypes, and mockups. ( My faves are Figma and the Adobe suite along with Jira for project management)
Some tools
- Proto IO
- Miro
- Invision
- Marvel App
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Figma
- Adobe XD
- Sketch
- Balsamiq
- Framer
- Jira (Project Management
Some useful skills to learn:
- Research
- UX Writing
- Content Strategy
- HCI
- Human Behaviour
- Cognition
- Mental Models
- Ethnographic Research
- Sketching
- User Flows
- Intersectionality
- Task Analysis
- Basic Code
- Task Analysis
- A/B Testing
- Storytelling
- Gamification
- Empathy
- Develop Empathy
- Project Management
- Design Systems
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- User Centred Design
- Persona Development
- Information Architecture
- Interaction Design
- Usability Testing
- Visual Design
- Layout
- Colour Theory
- Typography
- Version Control
- UI Design
- Psychology
- Accessibility
To begin
Start with Creativity & Ideation
I think its important to start with creativity methods, creativity takes on various forms, creativity and ideation are at the heart of innovation and problem-solving. To stimulate your creative thinking, venture outside your comfort zone, embrace experimentation, and endeavour to view the world through diverse lenses. This part is important as we need to learn empathy to be good UX designers.
It’s about breaking free from conventional thinking, embracing diverse perspectives, and finding novel solutions to complex challenges. Ideation, on the other hand, is the structured process of generating, developing, and refining these creative ideas into actionable concepts. It involves collaboration, brainstorming, and the application of various techniques to fuel innovation.
Models and principles that may help the creativity process
I see this as a kind of strategic approach to the creative process which I think helps people that don’t necessarily see themselves as creative realise that they are. It outlines six working phases and I think helps to bridge the gap between creative thought and logical processing. (Convergent and divergent thinking)
Click below for definitions:
My favourite part! This is where no idea is a bad idea (well until you decide it is later on) its the spontaneous part of the process where you come up with all of the ideas.
What am I doing?(I ask myself regularly), this looks at what the problem is and what you’re trying to achieve. A bit more logical.
Look at your work in progress and see what could be improved, be open to change and criticism.
The self critical stage after clarification where you look at the ideas with more of a strategic thought process.
This is the bit I struggle with the most, I struggle to leave it alone and let it sit. I know it works, but my brain wont let it be. You have to almost forget the idea exists for a while.
The grafting phase! drafts upon drafts, clarifications and more drafts.
Gestalt principles
These are one of the first things I looked at when I became serious about being a designer (trying to be a good one at least), it always fascinated me how connected design and psychology are. I could go on for ages about the connection between psychology, behavioural science and design, but I will just briefly touch on Gestalt as it is a great one to learn about for creativity and design thinking.
It looks at the laws of human perception and human perception informs design. In simple terms, our brains are built to see structure and patterns and try to organise things, so that we better understand our environment.
We see things in groups, different elements when they are connected to each other, visually are perceived as one and more related to each other.
If things are in the same region they will be perceived as a group, but they don’t have to be connected.
We identify if something is in the foreground (figures) or the background (ground) and we categorise background elements as less important than foreground.
We are drawn to it, it feels more organised. You can direct someones focus by using symmetry and Asymmetry.
The element that stands out visually is the focal point and will draw attention, you can do this by playing with other principles to make an element stand out.
If things look alike, we group them, sort of pattern recognition. Things that are the same colours or shapes, we naturally group them together.
We see the whole even if it is not there. Our brain fills in gaps.
We are more likely to see continuous and flowing lines than broken or jagged ones. Our eyes follow paths and the direction of the flow until it finds another object
Similar to similarity (say that 10 times fast), connectedness and common region. If things are in proximity to each other but look different we still group them.
Things that are pointing or moving in the same direction, we group together.
Together, creativity and ideation are the driving forces that propel progress in all fields, from art and science to business and technology, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible and opening the door to new discoveries and opportunities. Embracing these processes not only encourages innovation but also fosters a culture of exploration and curiosity that can lead to groundbreaking solutions and transformative change.
Below you will find some methods that I use, the links will take you off site so be sure to come back for the rest of the content!
UX Process
Project management takes on a specific and critical role. UX project management involves coordinating the various stages of the UX design process, from user research and concept development to prototyping and usability testing. It ensures that the design team stays on track, meets deadlines, and aligns with the project’s goals and user needs.
Effective UX project management involves fostering collaboration among designers, developers, and stakeholders, as well as adapting to evolving project requirements. It is an essential component in delivering user-centered and well-executed digital products that provide exceptional experiences for users while keeping the project on schedule and within budget.
BOOKS:
Doing Agile Right: Transformation Without Chaos – By Darrell Rigby, Sarah Elk, and Steve Berez
Driving Digital Strategy: A Guide to Reimagining Your Business By Sunil Gupta
LINKS:
User research is a fundamental pillar of effective design and product development, providing invaluable insights into the needs, behaviours and preferences of the target audience. Through methods like interviews, surveys, observations, and usability testing, user research helps designers and stakeholders gain a deep understanding of users’ motivations and pain points.
This knowledge serves as the foundation upon which user-centered solutions are built, ensuring that products and experiences are not only functional but also enjoyable and meaningful to the people who use them. User research is an ongoing process that guides design decisions, promotes empathy for users, and ultimately leads to the creation of products that are intuitive, efficient, and aligned with the real needs of the end-users.
BOOKS:
Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner’s Guide to User Research by Elizabeth Goodman, Mike Kuniavsky, and Andrea Moed
Think Like a UX Researcher by David Travis
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User Requirements Analysis is a critical phase in the development of any product, system, or software with a user-focused approach. It involves systematically gathering and documenting detailed information about the specific needs and expectations of the end-users. This phase aims to translate the insights gained from user research into actionable project goals and constraints.
Through methods like interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiry. User Requirements Analysis helps establish a clear understanding of the user’s goals, pain points, and the context in which they will interact with the product. By defining these requirements upfront, it provides a solid foundation for designers, developers, and stakeholders to align their efforts with the primary objectives of delivering a solution that meets user needs and expectations. Ultimately, User Requirements Analysis ensures that the design and development process remains user-centered and purpose-driven, resulting in products that are not just functional but genuinely serve the user.
BOOKS:
Mastering the requirements process getting requirements right. By Suzanne Robertson, James Robertson
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Information Architecture (IA) is the art and science of organising and structuring information in a clear, logical, and user-friendly manner within digital interfaces. It plays a pivotal role in creating intuitive navigation and facilitating easy access to content for users.
IA involves defining the hierarchy of information, establishing relationships between elements, and categorising content to create a coherent and efficient structure. By structuring information effectively, IA helps users find what they need quickly, improving their overall experience. It is a crucial element in web design, app development, and content management, ensuring that digital products and platforms are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to navigate and understand, ultimately enhancing user satisfaction and engagement.
BOOKS:
How to Make Sense of Any Mess: Information Architecture for Everybody by Abby Covert
Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability. Steve Krug
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User flow typically focuses on the specific steps and interactions a user takes to complete a particular task within the interface, offering a granular view of the user’s path. On the other hand, a user journey is a broader narrative that encompasses the user’s overall experience and interactions across multiple touchpoints and channels.
It provides a holistic perspective, from initial awareness to the final goal, often highlighting the emotional and contextual aspects of the user’s experience. Both user flow and user journey analysis are essential tools for UX designers to create products that are not only functional but also seamless and meaningful, addressing both the micro-interactions and the macro experience of users.
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Wireframing is a fundamental step in the user experience and interface design process, serving as a blueprint for the layout and functionality of a digital product or webpage. It involves creating simplified, low-fidelity representations of the user interface, focusing on the placement of elements, navigation, and content structure without delving into visual design details.
Wireframes are a crucial communication tool, allowing designers to outline the skeletal framework of a design and facilitate collaboration with stakeholders, developers, and usability testers. They help identify potential usability issues early in the design process and serve as a guide for creating high-fidelity prototypes and final visual designs. By providing a clear and visual structure for a digital product, wireframing streamlines the design process, ensures alignment with user requirements, and ultimately contributes to the development of user-friendly and effective interfaces.
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Prototyping is an important phase in the user experience and product design journey, where design concepts come to life in interactive, functional forms. It involves creating dynamic, high-fidelity representations of digital interfaces or products that allow designers, developers, and stakeholders to visualise how the final product will behave and how users will interact with it.
Prototypes serve as a bridge between design and development, enabling usability testing and iterative design improvements. By presenting a tangible experience for users, prototypes facilitate invaluable feedback collection, allowing designers to identify and rectify potential issues early in the design process. They serve as a vital tool for refining and validating design ideas, ultimately leading to the creation of user-centered and polished digital products.
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Usability testing in the design process, is where real users interact with a digital product to assess its functionality, intuitiveness, and overall user-friendliness. This method involves observing and gathering feedback from participants as they perform specific tasks within the product, helping designers identify usability issues, pain points, and areas for improvement.
Usability testing goes beyond subjective opinions; it provides empirical insights into how users actually navigate and engage with a design. By uncovering user challenges and preferences, UX designers can make informed refinements and optimisations to ensure that the final product aligns seamlessly with user needs and expectations, resulting in a more satisfying and effective user experience.
BOOKS:
Rocket Surgery Made Easy: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problems (Voices That Matter) by Steve Krug
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Visual design is a fundamental component of any creative endeavour, encompassing the aesthetic and sensory aspects of a design. While not strictly UX, having strong UI design skills can be beneficial. Learn about color theory, typography, and visual design principles.
It involves the use of typography, colour theory, imagery, layout, and other design elements to create a visually appealing and cohesive user experience.
Effective visual design goes hand in hand with established design principles, such as balance, contrast, alignment, and proximity. These principles guide designers in creating harmonious and visually engaging compositions that communicate the intended message and guide the user’s attention.
Visual design not only enhances the aesthetics of a product but also plays a crucial role in conveying brand identity, fostering user engagement, and ensuring that the design is not only functional but also visually compelling and memorable. Its quite in depth but make sure you learn the basics as it will help. This is the one I have a lot of books on so I haven’t included everything.
BOOKS:
The Design of Every Day Things by Don Norman (google him he’s amazing)
Know Your Onions Drew DeSoto
Layout for Graphic Designers Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris
Layout Essentials 100 design principles using grids by Beth Tondreau
Layout Workbook a real world guide to building pages in graphic design by Kristen Cullen
The Designer’s Dictionary of Colour by Sean Adams
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User Experience writing is a specialised discipline within the realm of UX design that focuses on crafting clear, concise, and user-centered content for digital products. While UX Designers don’t necessarily need to know everything about this It plays a pivotal role in guiding users through an interface so it does help if you want to be a rounded UX practitioner, similarly if you are a UX writer it helps to know the entire UX process.
It provides users with relevant information, and ensuring a seamless and engaging experience. UX writers carefully choose words, phrases, and microcopy that align with the product’s tone, voice, and user needs, aiming to facilitate intuitive navigation and interaction.
Beyond just words, UX writing considers the context, timing, and presentation of content to enhance user comprehension and satisfaction. Effective UX writing is the unsung hero behind a smooth user journey, making complex tasks feel simple and guiding users toward their goals with clarity and empathy.
I would also learn about eye tracking or viewing patterns, accessibility (particularly cognitive accessibility in UX), think about intersectionality and culture too, content strategy, typography (Linked above and below) storytelling for products and layout for this role, any differentiators you can give yourself to put you ahead of competition is important.
BOOKS:
Strategic Writing for UX: Drive Engagement, Conversion, and Retention with Every Word by Torrey Podmajersky (pretty sure she does a course on Interaction Design Foundation)
Microcopy: The Complete Guide by Kinneret Yifrah
Storytelling in Design: Defining, Designing, and Selling Multidevice Products Anna Dahlstrom
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Accessibility is a core principle in design and technology, aimed at ensuring that digital products, websites, and physical environments are usable by people of all abilities and disabilities. It encompasses a range of considerations, such as making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for diverse users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments (this last one I linked above in UX Writing).
Accessible design involves providing alternatives like text-to-speech for the visually impaired, keyboard navigation for those with motor disabilities, and captions for videos to accommodate the deaf or hard of hearing.
I have studied intersectionality to gain a better understanding, but to summarise… intersectionality refers to the recognition that user experiences are shaped by a complex interplay of various factors, such as race, gender, age, ability, and socioeconomic background. Designers must consider how these intersecting identities and experiences impact the way users interact with products and services. By embracing intersectionality, UX designers can create more inclusive and accessible designs that cater to a diverse range of users, ensuring that their digital experiences are both equitable and user-centred. This approach promotes empathy, diversity, and social responsibility in UX design.
By adhering to accessibility standards and guidelines, designers and developers can create inclusive experiences, promoting equal access to information, services, and opportunities for everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. Accessible design not only ensures compliance with legal requirements but also aligns with ethical and user-centric design principles, fostering a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape.
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The stages where design concepts are transformed into functional digital products. This phase bridges the gap between the design team’s vision and the actual realisation of the user experience. Collaborating closely with developers, UX designers oversee the translation of wireframes, prototypes, and visual designs into functional code.
It’s crucial to maintain open lines of communication to ensure that the final product aligns with the original design and remains user-centric.
This phase also involves addressing technical constraints, making design adjustments when necessary, and conducting rigorous testing to guarantee that the user experience is seamless, efficient, and free from usability issues.
Effective development and implementation are essential for delivering a product that not only meets design specifications but also functions reliably and effectively, thus ensuring the best possible experience for users.
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Testing and quality assurance are vital components in the process of delivering a user-centric and reliable digital product. During this crucial phase of development, rigorous testing is conducted to identify and rectify any functional, usability, or compatibility issues.
Quality assurance professionals meticulously review the product to ensure it aligns with design specifications, meets industry standards, and functions as intended across various devices and browsers. This process involves not only detecting and fixing bugs but also verifying that the user experience is consistent and seamless.
Through comprehensive testing and quality assurance, UX designers and developers can be confident that the final product is robust, performs optimally, and upholds the high standards required for a successful and satisfying user experience. It is a critical checkpoint to guarantee that the digital product functions reliably and meets or exceeds user expectations, instilling trust and confidence among its users.
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Launch and deployment mark the culmination of the design and development process, where the digital product is made accessible to its intended users. It involves a well-planned and coordinated effort to release the product, which may encompass activities such as server configuration, database setup, content migration, and code deployment.
A successful launch requires not only technical proficiency but also careful consideration of user communication and support during the transition. Effective deployment ensures that the product is available and accessible to users, with minimal disruption, and that any potential issues are swiftly addressed.
It’s a pivotal moment in a project’s lifecycle, where the vision and hard work of the design and development teams come to fruition, and users can finally interact with and benefit from the product. It doesn’t end here though!
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This part involves a comprehensive and ongoing assessment of the product’s performance, user engagement, and adherence to design goals. This phase seeks to gather valuable insights and user feedback through methods like analytics, surveys, and user interviews.
By continuously monitoring user interactions and collecting data on user behavior and satisfaction, design teams can identify areas of improvement, discover usability issues, and measure the product’s alignment with user needs and business objectives.
Post-launch evaluation underscores the importance of iterative design, allowing for refinements and enhancements to be made to the product based on real user experiences, ultimately ensuring its ongoing relevance and effectiveness in meeting user needs. It’s a crucial stage that highlights the commitment to creating and maintaining a user-centered product even after its initial release.
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Maintenance and optimisation represent the long-term commitment to ensuring that a digital product remains efficient, relevant, and aligned with evolving user needs and technological advancements.
After the initial launch, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are crucial to identify and address issues promptly, such as software updates, security vulnerabilities, and performance optimisation. Additionally, optimisation efforts focus on enhancing the user experience by analysing user data, conducting A/B tests, and making iterative design improvements based on real-world user feedback.
This iterative process of testing and refinement not only sustains the product’s functionality but also enables it to adapt and grow over time, remaining competitive in a dynamic digital landscape. Maintenance and optimisation are integral to providing users with a continually improving and satisfying experience, demonstrating a commitment to long-term user satisfaction and the product’s enduring success.
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Portfolio
Portfolio Tips
I feel slightly awks writing this bit as I am not a massive fan of my own portfolio at the moment, I haven’t had the time needed to dedicate to add more projects I have loads, but its so time consuming building case studies! But ever the hypocrite here are some things you will need for your portfolio.
One of my main tips is to look at other UX designer portfolios (not mine at the moment 😀 ) I have linked some intern portfolios for big tech companies. Have a look on Figma Community, Dribbble, Behance, even Pinterest for design inspo. Do tutorials, practice constantly, evaluate everything for user experience, even physical spaces as it tunes you in to thinking about user perspectives, disabilities, accessibility etc.
Do not, I repeat DO NOT copy peoples designs or components/design systems and try to pass them off as your own if you get caught its bad, if you don’t, you learned nothing. Look for internships, freelance opportunities, to gain practical experience I am not a fan of working for free (who is?), but if you have any opportunities to do some work at a reduced rate or shadow other UX Designers do it. Real-world projects are invaluable for honing your skills, but you should also do some personal projects to hone your skills. Join hackathons, game jams, competitions and watch design challenges to see how pros process and work.
Think outside the box and learn complimentary skills, look at what shape you are ( follow the link to the right called “what shape are you” its a bit of a cringey way to put it in my opinion, but it just means to think about diversifying your skill set. This will differentiate you from the influx of UX Designers. A skill shape refers to the unique skill set associated with a certain career or individual. Some of these shape profiles are I, T, π (Pi) and M there are variations on this theme like comb shaped and E shaped even X shaped. For now I will just cover the first four I mentioned because they can flow from one to the next quite nicely, as knowledge in different areas increases.
An I shaped person has a specialism in a subject but no general knowledge in different areas they have depth of knowledge in one area but no breadth of knowledge outside that specialism. A T shaped person has a specialism too, but also has a breadth of general knowledge in other areas. As you grow and develop skills and specialisms in different areas the shape changes so to become a Pi shaped person you would specialise in two areas and have a good general knowledge across other fields. I think this is an easy way to visualise it. Collaborating with people from different specialisms increases your breadth of knowledge.
Collaboration is an important part of creation. Collaboration tends to lead to more innovation, improves communication and problem solving as a team, work flows become smoother and tasks get completed faster. Through listening to and learning from team members, a group of people can come together and contribute a mixed set of skills and perspectives for the benefit of a shared objective. Different experiences and skill sets coming together can help you grow your own expertise and diversify your knowledge, from collaboration you can become multi skilled. A way to illustrate that is through skill shapes.
Look at some youtube tutorials and do some random design briefs, redesign your favourite apps and document the methodology and how you changed it, I will link some of the other stuff I follow and the other resources I use like Interaction Design Foundation ( I am a member I may have a discount code so contact me if you need it) Also connect with other UX’ers ask for feedback on LinkedIn (I am a nightmare for not doing this so again, hypocrite me needs to take my own advice…I might post this actually! 😀 ).
Right, waffle over! here is the list of what I suggest you include for a portfolio.
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Diverse Projects: Include a variety of projects (at least 3) that demonstrate your range and versatility as a designer. Showcase work from different domains, such as web, mobile apps, or other digital products.
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Case Studies: Each project in your portfolio should be accompanied by a detailed case study. Explain the problem, your approach, the design process, and the impact of your work on the final product.
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Process Documentation: Highlight your UX design process, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and iterations. Show how you apply user-centred design principles.
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Visual Presentation: Design your portfolio website with a clean and intuitive layout, reflecting your design sensibilities. Ensure that your portfolio is user-friendly and responsive on various devices.
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Usability: Apply UX principles to your portfolio itself. Ensure easy navigation, clear information hierarchy, and intuitive interactions to provide a positive user experience.
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Show Work in Progress: It’s okay to showcase projects that are still in progress, demonstrating your ability to adapt and iterate on designs based on feedback.
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Collaborative Work: If possible, showcase projects where you collaborated with a team, highlighting your ability to work within a cross-functional environment.
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Quantifiable Results: Whenever possible, include quantifiable results or metrics that illustrate the impact of your design improvements on user engagement, conversions, or other relevant KPIs.
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Personal Projects: If you lack professional experience, consider creating personal projects or redesigns of existing products to demonstrate your skills and creativity.
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Continuous Updates: Keep your portfolio up to date with your latest work and experiences, showing your commitment to professional growth.
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Feedback: Seek feedback from mentors, peers, or industry professionals to continuously refine your portfolio and presentation, reach out to other designers and network and ask for reviews on LinkedIn etc.
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Soft Skills: Highlight your soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, within your case studies.
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About Me Section: Include a brief “About Me” section to introduce yourself, your background, and your passion for UX design.
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Contact Information: Make it easy for potential employers or collaborators to get in touch with you by including clear contact information.
Other books
The Design Thinking Playbook – by Patrick Link and Michael Lerwick
Lean UX by Jeff Gothelf
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Swartz
Hooked, how to build habit forming products by Nir Eyal
Choice Hacking by Jennifer L Clinehens
Buidling Behavioural Science in an organisation by Zarak Newman & Laurel Newman
More Useful Links
Finally, feel free to leave a comment or suggestion! Happy UX'ing!
More learning
I thought it would be a good idea to go into a bit more depth about some of the things I touched on above, so here are some additional brain dumps on various topics. I hope they are useful, they are quite long reads so grab a cuppa!
