UX design, simply put, is a design of experiences for users. It is about building something so easy to use; you don't have to think about it. UX designers research, iterate and test design solutions to make it as easy as possible to use.
A good UX is one that is useful, desirable, credible, accessible and usable. For example, Duolingo's new update. The previous version had a good, not great UX. It had courses side by side making it difficult to complete a course per time. The update to the right has a better UX(the use of a learning path).
The Design Process
Imagine walking inside a hospital for treatment. You give your details, get tests, receive medication, and have checkups.
Just like that the UX design process involves:
User research
It consists of competitor research, surveys, interviews and all analysis done before the design process. Here, user needs, pain points and user goals are identified.
Design
After research, the UX designer works on the wireframes(blueprint of final design), prototypes and the visual design. Here, UI meets with UX.
User testing
Here, the usability of the product is tested with actual users to get feedback and make improvements.
Implementation
After all improvements have been made, UX designer hands over the designs to the developers that bring it to life.
Iteration/Evaluation
Iteration is a seasonal follow up on the product's functionality.
The UX Design Quadrant Model
There are different areas of UX Design
Experience strategy
This area sounds a lot like a product manager. It is a UX strategist's job to endure the product is serving the user and generating profit for the business at the same time. An example of such specialists is Yael Levey.
User research
A UX researcher gathers both qualitative and quantitative research to find out the target audience of the product. An example of a top UX researcher is Sarah Doody
Interaction design
This area involves creating seamless interaction between designs and the user.
Information Architecture
It involves of organizing and structuring content in a logical, user-friendly way. An information architect will work with creating wireframes and taxonomies. Example of an IA specialist is Jeff Gothelf,
What Next? Building a UX Portfolio
A portfolio is a quick and easy display of a UX designer's work. It’s a personal website that introduces you as a designer, demonstrates your soft skills and showcases a number of your projects from the process to the result.
A UX Portfolio should include:
A power headline that shows what the person does.
A detailed about section that showcases a UX soft skills like: empathy, organization and communication.
Case studies with detailed process and result.
Contact info and social media links.
An example of a good ux portfolio is Apruva Chinta on Bestfolios. She starts off with a great introduction that shows her soft skills and highlights what she does. She gives case studies explaining the method, process, tools and eventually result.
Recruiters are more interested about how one arrived at a solution than the result itself. Hence, a good portfolio case study should highlight the problem, tool and techniques used, process or approach and the solution.
What is the future of UX Design?
Research shows that the demand for UX designers is at an increasing rate. This is means UX designers are seen as a crucial part of any product team. A product with a great UX design has a competitive advantage, as the users will keep using it.
Asides the high demand for UX designers, they also hold one of the most rewarding occupations. The junior UX designer salary ranges from $52,000-$80,000 yearly in the US. This shows the field is more promising as one rises in experience.
UX design is a great field to start a career in. As you keep solving problems, you keep learning.
Thanks for reading!